PDA

View Full Version : First Winter Commute!

exapkib
11-28-2016, 10:09 PM
Today we had a pretty good snowstorm come through, which meant the first snowy commute of the season.

http://i1336.photobucket.com/albums/o641/1zaxxon/IMG_20161128_130032730_zpsi0yaw8k1.jpg (http://s1336.photobucket.com/user/1zaxxon/media/IMG_20161128_130032730_zpsi0yaw8k1.jpg.html)

The first snow ride of the year always brings a few stinging reminders, and this time was no different.

1. It was a mistake to forget my scarf this morning. Snow can feel so sharp when it hits you in the face at speed.

2. So grateful for a good fender setup.

3. Is it just me, or do tires roll stiffer in the cold? I could have sworn today that my nice, comfy, wide, low-pressure tires rode harsher than they typically do. Could be my imagination, could be real.

http://i1336.photobucket.com/albums/o641/1zaxxon/IMG_20161128_130019403_zpssq8pzwer.jpg (http://s1336.photobucket.com/user/1zaxxon/media/IMG_20161128_130019403_zpssq8pzwer.jpg.html)

I know that many of you are deeper into the winter than we are here, so let's see the photos, folks.
Louis
11-28-2016, 10:12 PM
Neat. Where is this?

(I first thought it might be a joke and that you lived in Australia or New Zealand...)
weisan
11-28-2016, 10:17 PM
3. Is it just me, or do tires roll stiffer in the cold? I could have sworn today that my nice, comfy, wide, low-pressure tires rode harsher than they typically do. Could be my imagination, could be real.



Nope. It's your AR--ss----e freezing solid and losing its suppleness. hahaha...:D:D:D
exapkib
11-28-2016, 10:56 PM
Neat. Where is this?

(I first thought it might be a joke and that you lived in Australia or New Zealand...)

Utah. We had a long late stretch of 'summer' that intruded on our fall this year.

Nope. It's your AR--ss----e freezing solid and losing its suppleness. hahaha...:D:D:D

This is entirely possible, though I figured numbness in that region would have the opposite effect . . .

Seriously, though--there was a marked difference in ride quality from Saturday to today. No extra air in the tires, but they were much less forgiving today. Really, when you're riding in the cold everything seems a little bit less forgiving.
ANAO
11-29-2016, 06:00 AM
Really, when you're riding in the cold everything seems a little bit less forgiving.

Like the ground as it rushes up to meet your face.
CNY rider
11-29-2016, 06:13 AM
I ride close to year round in upstate NY.
The best addition I've made in years is a Kask helmet with face shield.
When it starts to snow or sleet you just flip your shield down and all the pain goes away........
smontanaro
11-29-2016, 07:28 AM
Winter still hasn't hit here in Chicago. From Sunday's brisk ride from Evanston to Hyde Park.
exapkib
11-29-2016, 09:55 AM
Like the ground as it rushes up to meet your face.

I find it's not my face that most often hits the ground in icy conditions, but rather hips and shoulders. In this regard, the extra layers make a world of difference.
ANAO
11-29-2016, 09:57 AM
Still unpleasant!
Bwana
11-29-2016, 10:10 AM
Winter still hasn't hit here in Chicago. From Sunday's brisk ride from Evanston to Hyde Park.

Looking at the weather, you don't have much longer! :fight:
OldCrank
11-29-2016, 12:33 PM
From the tire ads I read, winter tires (bike and car) use a cold-weather, softer (I guess) rubber.

Conti:
special winter tyre compound for grip on snowed-covered roads and on wet and slippery surfaces

Michelin:
the new Grip Compound mix. These special rubber mix will work at low temperatures, which makes you safer when riding on slippery, dirty or wet road.

I'm not avoiding the cold, just the ice.