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That was kinda fun. This old beast tore right through the snow and muck. We got a solid 4 inches in R-ville. Only rode 1.5 miles to metro so really not enough time to get cold. I might just need to take this thing out on Saturday and find some woods or something.

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192lb on Jan 3. No wonder I keep getting dropped on the hills.

Definitely carrying some extra..uh…winter insulation.

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@Geoff 73224 wrote:

BTW, the picture I use as my avatar was taken on the Great Allegheny Passage a few years back. I did it in combination with the C&O. A good trip, I recommend it.

This is definitely on my list for next summer.

I am also early in planning a two-day ride from DC to Raleigh, NC where my mom and sister live. Google says it’s about 300 miles by bike so I think that’s doable…but no cake walk.

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FWIW, someone made an entire movie about riding in the winter:

http://chainringfilms.com/

The trailer looks…interesting I guess. Not sure it’s worth the $ but then again there’s only one way to find out for sure.

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@KelOnWheels 71221 wrote:

There should be a bonus for riding in this: http://dangerousminds.net/comments/horrifying_full_body_spandex_santa_claus_suit

Found it!

http://www.anytimecostumes.com/halloween-santa-claus-skin-suit-adult-R880543.html

$40. My kids would be HORRIFIED….which makes it a must have.

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So this is my first winter season bike commuting in the DMV…mostly the D and M on the CCT…and I’m new to this forum. Glad I found it.

I’ve been agonizing over THE LIGHT ISSUE ever since my return commute has been in the dark. I’ve tried doing the hand cover thing. It’s difficult at the speeds I like to ride — and BTW, I like to ride those speeds so my 1:15 bike ride isn’t 1:35 — and with the bumps on the trails, the occasional ninja, and my profound fear of deer. Seriously, deer scare me far more than an annoyed passing cyclist yelling “YOUR LIGHT IS TOO BRIGHT” which seems to happen at least once a week but I’m starting to think it is the same lady each time who happens to share the inverse of my CCT commute pattern.

After reading this thread I’ve concluded:

— Lights are good. Without bright lights on the dark trails bike commuting wouldn’t be possible for half the year.
— You can’t please everyone so I will continue to just try and be as courteous as possible while maintaining my own desire to ride in an upright position with all skin attached.
— FWIW, I’m in the camp of people who isn’t bothered by on-coming lights. I try to reciprocate a friendly hand cover IF POSSIBLE but that is entirely dependent on various variables so no hard rules apply.
— Front strobe on trail is bad. Rear blinking Planet Bike light is going to have to be OK b/c I’m not going to remember to switch it from solid to blink for the >half of my commute on the trail. I think that seems to be the consensus from the experienced winter trail warriors here.
— Sorry, mad lady who yells at me if you are reading this. I don’t think my 420 lumen light is “TOO BRIGHT” and I point it down as much as reasonably possible while maintaining its purpose of shining light on objects far enough in front of me so I can react to them…and deer. Deer are really scary. Squirrels too. But mostly deer.

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@ejwillis62 72801 wrote:

So i just entered my name into this RAGBRAI 2014. If I get selected I will be riding across IOWA this year. Yikes. Sounded like a good idea at the time. I did the climate ride and loved it and this one will be in warmer weather. Anyone ever done this?

LIZ W.

I REALLY want to do this but don’t see how I can make it work logistically. Some day.

Congrats on CR!

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I’ll be there…

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Just followed all those steps. Excited to participate! What’s next? I’m new to this thing.

@cvcalhoun 72501 wrote:

Just thought I’d post all the steps to enter the competition in one place. (I did this earlier, but it was buried in the comments instead of having its own post.) To enter, you need to:

1. Register for Strava. (This must be done before filling out the application form, because you’ll need your Strava information to fill out the form.)
2. Register for this forum. (It is helpful to have done this before filling out the application form, so that you can give your forum name on the application.)
3. Fill out the application form. (Deadline is December 24 at midnight.)
4. Authorize the BikeArlington Freezing Saddles app on Strava.
5. Join the BikeArlington club on Strava.

Bonus link:

Here is the leaderboard.

Given that I’m new here myself, does anyone have any additions or corrections to this list?

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