Coldest commute today?

[CNY rider]

My entry:

7.5 miles to work today at 5 degrees F.
First 2 miles downhill 20+ MPH, who knows what that makes the wind chill.
Fully covered, no exposed skin with Lake winter boots on.
Not really cold except for my fingertips at the bottom of the hill.

Who else rode to work today?

[Erik.Lazdins]

5 F - Congrats! - I am willing to wager you didn't see many other bikes out this morning? Its always a special event when the bike bottle freezes on a ride!

I was out there this morning, it was an unseasonably warm 48 - in Tulsa, Ok.

[Jawn P]

18 degrees and I should be leaving in a half hour after my cup of coffee and oatmeal. Yikes!

[xjoex]

I rode in , 15F 6 miles.

I rode my Bianchi Castro Valley with Kenda Klondike studs. Actually I was really warm.

I wore Shimano Winter shoes.
Thick smartwool socks.
Wool nickers
Mountain Hardwear goretex paclite pants
Addidas fleece jersey
Castelli Softshell jersey
Patagonia neck gator
Trek winter cycling hat.
Craft lobster claw gloves
Outdoor Research goretex over mitts.
Bell Metro helmet with the winter kit on(vent plugs, ear warmers)

-Joe

[CNY rider]

I rode in , 15F 6 miles.

Bell Metro helmet with the winter kit on(vent plugs, ear warmers)

-Joe


In 15F or below I've taken to wearing my ski helmet, with goggles over my eyes to protect from the cold.
Works really well if you happen to be a skiier and have a helmet anyway.

[fiamme red]

2.5 miles, 20°F. I couldn't believe my eyes when I passed a cyclist wearing shorts.

[mschol17]

10 miles at 25 degrees. That's pretty cold around here...

[markie]

I got 10 miles at 16 F.

Kind of a warm day for here in IL. I had a tail-wind and life felt good.

[spiderman]

made for a pleasant ride in today.
i'm only 2.5 miles from home
and 10 percent of the trail is snow and ice covered.
i have the kenda klondikes on as well
although for most of the ride they were overkill...
...it's that split second on ice
that you really have to be prepared for...
60 percent chance of ice pellets in the forecast for today!
maybe i'll get a chance at noon to capture some of that
bit of pleasantness...

[cp43]

6 miles at 12 degrees F. I need to find something warmer for my legs, otherwise I was comfortable.

Chris

[Charles M]

22 miles in a horrible 54 degree's...

I HATE armwarmers!

[spiderman]

6 miles at 12 degrees F. I need to find something warmer for my legs, otherwise I was comfortable.

Chris
not sure what you're using...
...but i like my showers pass pants...
never been cold wearing those over
anything else as a base layer...

[cp43]

This morning I had on Pearl shorts, thin pearl tights, and pearl amFIB bibs. I think the problem was that it all ended up being too tight. I was thinking that something with a little more room to trap warm air would be good. Thanks for the Showers Pass suggestion, I will look them up.

Chris

[JStonebarger]

14F with a steady headwind. Glad I only had 3.5 miles to go.

The cold was bad enough, but I'm freaked about the ice -- this morning was scary, but going home it'll be dark... What do people use? Studded tires? (Are they a drag for the 80% of the ride that isn't snow and ice?)

[cp43]

14F with a steady headwind. Glad I only had 3.5 miles to go.

The cold was bad enough, but I'm freaked about the ice -- this morning was scary, but going home it'll be dark... What do people use? Studded tires? (Are they a drag for the 80% of the ride that isn't snow and ice?)


I use Nokian studded tires, Hakkapeliitta W106. They have more drag than normal tires, but to me it's worth it for the peace of mind.

I think there have been other discussions on studded tires here not too long ago. Also try Peter White's site:

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/studdedtires.asp

Chris

[palincss]

10 miles at 25 degrees. That's pretty cold around here...

Me, too, 8 mi worth. Maybe you passed me this morning on the Mt. Vernon trail or on the 14th St. Bridge? Only saw a half-dozen or so cyclists today. Where was everybody? You'd think it was cold out or something...

[JStonebarger]

Interesting, Chris. Thanks.

[gemship]

11 miles of riding. 38mph winds. 18F in Gloucester, Ma.

[spiderman]

settle right on top of me
just in time for the ride home...
...i love winter...
...i love winter...
...i love winter...

[Bob Ross]

I rode Sunday in 26°F with >35mph headwinds (yow!), so I skipped Monday. This morning I look at the weather report: says 32°F with a wind chill factor of 20°F, so I pull out all the fuzzywear... and then on a whim I actually stick my head out the window.

It's positively balmy!

No idea what today's temp really was (sure didn't feel like 32°, and the little wind I did encounter seemed warming if anything) but I just wore a base layer, a longsleeve jersey, & a wind vest. Oh yeah, and tights.

And it's supposed to be in the high 40's for my return commute tonight. Of course, it's also supposed to be pouring...