We rode out to a breakfast spot a few days ago. It was not too cold (c. -10 C), but there was more wind than we'd counted on, so there was lots of blowing snow. Trails were in good condition though, and we had a bit of a tailwind on the way home.
(Cycling) in the bleak midwinter
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Oh no thanks, I hard pass on that sort of amusement.
I'll ride indoors, thanks!
Trav, it's better for me to get out and enjoy it than to stay inside. And I like my food - I'd probably weigh 500# if I didn't keep active. But the toll the salty slush takes on the bikes is heartbreaking. Easier and cheaper to deal with than on the cars though! But no problem in this weather - it's too cold for the salt to cause oxidization.
If it's sunny out without too much wind, 0 C (or colder) is fine. It's the wind that's the killer.
Well, I'm sure the motorists are better behaved!
Nice. We got snow here in the Seattle area and I did a few MTB rides in the snow. That was fun. Until it started melting & turned to ice, then I crashed and my bum was sore for a week or two.
I did wish I had my bike with me while I was in Phoenix over the weekend. But now that I'm back in IL, not so much
No problem, others like to jump out of perfectly good airplanes but I pass that too.
Absolutely. 0°C with a big sun and no wind is very pleasant on the golf course. It was windy today and the big went behind some clouds as soon as I paid for my round. Glad I had a handwarmer with me.
I did that once too, many years ago. Once was enough.
I commuted in the winter on mountain bikes for several years between about '98 and '06 before giving it up. Had studded some tires with sheet-metal screws, with mixed results.
Bought the fat bikes in 2015, and they've been a lot better. Bought proper studded tires for them in 2017, which was better yet.
It's funny, though, none of my bad bike crashes have been in the winter.
I don't mind a light warm rain. It can be dangerous for the first few minutes when the rain has mixed with oil on the road to create an oily slick. After the oil has washed away, it's OK. Wet new asphalt is dangerous.
A cold rain is never fun.
Waiting for the inevitable complaining about bikers stealing the roads from motorists etc
Pre-pandemic we were planning to go down to Arizona to cycle. The best-laid plans ...I did wish I had my bike with me while I was in Phoenix over the weekend. But now that I'm back in IL, not so much
A lot of those motorists are justified - I've seen a lot of bad behaviour from fellow cyclists. When told by one whiny coworker how awful cyclists are, I replied that people who cycle thoughtlessly and recklessly likely drive the same way. Better for them to be on a bike, where they're less likely to hurt others.
Fortunately we have an ever-improving network of active-transportation trails here, keeping bikes and cars separated.
