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My face had a nice waxy feel to it by the time I got into work yesterday. It only occurred to me later that, according to that film about K2, this may be the onset of frostbite. THINGS TO CONSIDER!

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Just be glad he isn’t going for the upper-decker…

@hozn 69992 wrote:

You: Everyone getting their knickers in a knot about that guy urinating all over the toilet seat and floor in the bathroom stall.
Me: Just appreciate that he’s peeing in the bathroom, use the stall a couple over, move on.

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+1 for oil. -1 for not properly draining said oil before putting said lock in bag with fresh change of underwear.

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You: Everyone getting their knickers in a knot about light brightness.
Me: Just appreciate visibility, look to the side of the trail, move on.

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@Greenbelt 69712 wrote:

FYI on Winter layering — Laurie’s doing a workshop tomorrow night at Proteus.

Holy Layering Batman! What is going on with her feet though – do I count three layers of socks?

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@jabberwocky 69608 wrote:

I almost got into a fight a few years back with a guy who was completely blocking the crosswalk at the red light where the W&OD crosses Wiehle in Reston. I threaded my way around his giant pickup and put one hand on the fender as I did so and he went absolutely ballistic and started screaming homophobic slurs at me and trying to unbuckle his considerable bulk so he could “kick my ass”. At the time I thought it was kind of funny, but in hindsight its probably a good thing he didn’t have a gun or anything.

Maybe we ran into the same guy! I encountered a similar gentleman downtown a few years back – with his emergency blinkers on chatting in the bike lane. I informed him that he “must be lost of something,” to which he responded with a flurry of homophobic insults interspersed with conjecture about my anatomy, which seemed even more strange since I had spandex on. I bid him a good evening and he frantically tried to unbuckle his seat belt, gave up, and peeled off into oncoming traffic. Class act!

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This time of year I tend to just enjoy the company. But seriously, overlapped tires is not okay. This discussion has gone through the wash a number of times and the consensus, drum roll, is that “everyone just needs to be courteous and respectful.” Interpret that as you may, but should I start drafting someone on the inky depths of the Custis trail, I will usually hang out two bike lengths back and turn my lights down.

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@jhr 69225 wrote:

You: Cyclist dressed in all black with no lights in the dark on Southgate last night who then passed me with no warning (but with plenty of room at least) when I was stopped at a red light at the Columbia Pike intersection (marked “no turn on red” not that most people obey it) to sudden turn right into a gap between two cars with a green light going west on Columbia Pike.
Me: Trying to figure out how you have survived so far.

Gumption. It tends to run out though…

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You: GW sweatshirt girl with 1980’s-tastic orange foam headphones fielding a REALLY important call in the middle of the trail on TR…in the dark.

Me: Hi, I’m the guy with the retina-burning light that assumed that your retinas would be burned by said light. I was wrong, my apologies. I understand your desire for privacy while discussing whatever matters you were discussing, but the middle of a very dark trail isn’t actually that private as my appearance last night proved.

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@tuba_transport 66516 wrote:

The Northwave Celsius Arctic GTX. The Arctic version is supposed to be warmer than the non-Arctic. I don’t know, never tried the non-Arctic.

I have Lake boots from a few years ago. They are still useful in deep snow or if the temps go below 20 degrees. Both of those have been rare the past couple years though.

I bought the Northwave boots because I tried their summer shoes and they were a great fit for my wide feet. I wanted a lighter boot. The boots also have a spacious toebox, which is essential for thick socks. If your winter boots are not loose then they are not warm no matter what you are wearing. Circulation is key. I wear the same sized Northwave boot as Northwave summer shoe because the toe box is so big.

I RARELY wear my Lake boots anymore. The Northwave’s are way way way waaaaaay lighter. Nearly summer shoe light, especially compared to the Lakes. They claim to have a water resistant lining, but when it rains your feet will get wet due mostly to the short tops on them. If it is rain an in the 30s I will pull out the Lakes.

With all that said, the Northwaves rock. I can wear my Arctics comfortably up to 45F. Too hot above that temp. But then again 40F is about the transition temp for me to wear wool socks and toe covers on summer shoes anyway. The weight of the Northwave shoes cannot be understated. They are so much more efficient than the heavier Lake boots.

I have worn mine very comfortably from about 25-45 degrees. I did race Snotcycle this year in them when the temp was 19F. For that I added a toe chem warmer and my feet were very happy.

For anyone entertaining the idea of purchasing the 3-bolt road cleat version of any boot, DON’T. Road cleats are USELESS in snow and ice. Step off the bike one time and the cleat fills with ice and you don’t get clipped back in. Invest in MTB pedals for winter if you have not already. Road soles are also USELESS to walk on in perfect summer conditions. Now try walking on them on ice and snow. Get the MTB pedals for winter.

This winter will be my third season on my Northwave boots. I will wear them every day the temp stays below 45F just like the past 2 seasons. The boot is essentially as good as new, unlike Lakes which fall apart every season.

One of the best pieces of kit I own.

BTW, I wrote down what works for me at different temps and edit it year after year to adjust to new insights and my evolving needs for winter clothing. Here is my personal FAQ I refer to for myself each Autumn so I don’t have to reinvent the wheel every year when I try to remember what worked 6 months ago.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ynG_e-u1JNPF8pudUURLVRF0PPXxkBghoICRsfva2CI/edit?usp=sharing

Just stumbled across this, COMPREHENSIVE! Also, bike clothing need not be expensive. Seasonal comfort buying is always inversely proportional to price, so wait for the first 90 degree day then go web bargain hunting for those neoprene booties.

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@Hancockbs 67098 wrote:

Why is it that 75% of the people who say “thanks” when I cover my bike’s headlight, don’t bother to cover their own? I guess I should be thankful they at least say thanks. I’m getting really used to closing one eye to keep a little night vision going.

Agreed! These also tend to be the same people that have their light angled just right to blind you from about 100 feet out. I don’t tend to wear sunglasses at night, despite that song, but maybe I should take it up.

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With subsidized Metro, I’m not really saving anything – that might not last the way things are trending though. Also, I eat WAY more food biking 120+ miles a week.

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I unfortunately got these guys a while back – http://www.amazon.com/Michelin-89-neo-Neoprene-Bicycle-Booties/dp/B003CGLHUQ – avoid at all costs! In the end I just gave up and got some Lake Winter Boots when they went on sale on Nashbar.

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@baiskeli 65389 wrote:

I yell, “Captain, Crazy Ivan!”

Georgetown must be offering graduate classes in Crazy Ivans. Some of the techniques that I have witnessed near TR Island recently have been nothing short of stunning:

1. Wild arm flailing whilst executing Crazy Ivan.
2. Stop in middle of trail calisthenics.
3. The squat lunge turn variant of the Crazy Ivan.
4. Totally engrossed in telephone conversation wandering in circles Crazy Ivan.

Keep it up, variety is the spice of life.

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@sjclaeys 65134 wrote:

I saw an expired bunny on the side of the W&OD between Columbia Pike and George Mason. Anyone have an encounter with a rabbit?

Nope, but saw a dead rat on the W&OD right inbound before the East Falls Church Metro. That was a helluva rat!

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