Cycling Thread

[Fuzz]

Got a block from my house, back tire slid out and I went straight back home to put the studs on! Nice it is a little warmer today.

[Bill Bumface]

n + 1 bikes FTW. Grabbed my winter beater, WD-40 on the seized chain, off I went. No bleeding hands from studded tire changes ever again.

Well, until they wear out and I replace them.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

Not riding today, my neighbour is going to put on the studded tires for me and give the bike a quick tune-up. Looking forward to riding tomorrow.

I never pegged you as the type of guy that would only fill up at a full serve gas station, but this sadly appears to be the case.

[Bigtime]

Can't change a tire while double fisting lattes.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

n + 1 bikes FTW. Grabbed my winter beater, WD-40 on the seized chain, off I went. No bleeding hands from studded tire changes ever again.

Well, until they wear out and I replace them.

I put mine on seperate rims this year for quick change-overs, and no bleeding. I'd love to have yet another bike, but storage space is at a premium. I really need to get going on building that bike parkade. errr, I mean garage.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

I think the problem with mine is they have fabric on the front, so the cold air goes through. I think I'll put poggies on the xmas list. Anyone have recommendations? Thinking bar mitts....

I love my Bar Mitts - solved an age long dilemna for me of cold hands. I've spend hundreds on gloves trying to find something that kept me warm. The neoprene of these keeps the wind off so much I can use cheap windstopper fleece gloves even on -25 days.

The one criticism I have that maybe newer models have resolved. There's a velcro loop inside that goes on the outside of the handlebar. It can snag on your hand as you first try and get your hand in. That may be crappy setup by me though...

[pope04]

Nice commute to work today. Had a little low-speed spill on the pathway on the way home. I was somewhat amazed that the bike paths were already cleaned off for the ride home!!

[habernac]

Back on the bike. Sketchy leaving my neighbourhood, they never plow and clowns with #### tires have spun the hill into a nice ice rink. Paths plowed all the way up except for the new section that goes from Nose Creek to 96th.

[Baron von Kriterium]

Originally Posted by habernac

Paths plowed all the way up except for the new section that goes from Nose Creek to 96th.

Is that path open now?

[habernac]

Originally Posted by Baron von Kriterium

Is that path open now?

Yeah, it's paved. Rode down the middle of it this morning as the sides were all iced up. Rest of the Nose Creek path was perfect, as usual.

[Northendzone]

I have these dar mitts as well, and they still have that loop inside. When it used them, I just wore a slightly thicker pair of regular full finger spring/fall type gloves.

My only thought about these mitts is what happens if you hit some ice. You then need to pull your hands out of the mitts to try and brace for impact.

I bought a pair of lobster gloves that I will try out soon.

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

I love my Bar Mitts - solved an age long dilemna for me of cold hands. I've spend hundreds on gloves trying to find something that kept me warm. The neoprene of these keeps the wind off so much I can use cheap windstopper fleece gloves even on -25 days.

The one criticism I have that maybe newer models have resolved. There's a velcro loop inside that goes on the outside of the handlebar. It can snag on your hand as you first try and get your hand in. That may be crappy setup by me though...

[Northendzone]

Just came back from a 15km spin on the fattie.....it was nice riding in the fresh snow

[Fuzz]

Nice! Always love the first snow, before ice builds up underneath. I just put new brake pads on and gave her a check over for tomorrow. This will be my coldest day yet if the forecast holds. Sure wish I had those bar mitts! Added some closed cell thin foam to the front of my mitts to try and block the wind a bit. Found an old pair of goggles so I should be good to go.

[Bigtime]

Got the studs on yesterday, took the bike out for a spin this morning as the first of the snow started falling. Wow, what a difference. Just the feel of grip on the pavement is something else. I also got new brake pads front and back too, bike feels real good.

I'm planning to go for it tomorrow also. Rode today with my winter boots and snowpants on, plenty warm. I think the real challenge will be deciding on how many layers to go with upper body tomorrow morning. I'd rather end up a little hot on the ride to work, and reduce layers for the ride home instead of being cold both ways.

[Fuzz]

I think your biggest issue will be keeping your face protected as you go north into the headwind. Sounds like it will be strong.

Thought you would like the studs! They give you the confidence to just ride, and not really worry about every little slippery patch taking you down.

[Bigtime]

I will have my face fully covered with the balaclava and my ski goggles.

[Bigtime]

Well that's wasn't bad at all. Plenty warm with two pairs of socks, winter boots, long johns and my snow pants. Upper layer of an undershirt, sweater, and bike jacket. Actually got a little sweaty under it all.

Pathways left a little to be desired. Not cleared around Eau Claire at Prince's island, cleared at riverwalk and over to St. George's drive on the north side of the river, and then the Nose creek path only cleared until 8th avenue, north of that it was tough slogging and bumpy along all the snow compacted down by walkers. Cleared again right at the bridge over Deerfoot by the Sun building. I'm hoping those sections are all cleared by this afternoon. Wishful thinking?

[Fuzz]

The good news is that I have enough clothes to be good until probably -25. The bad news is that I was wearing all of them today! Ugh. My mitten augmentation worked very well though. No cold hands! Felt like my ski goggles were always on the brink of fogging up.

I also forgot my keys. No point in being the first to the office if you can't get in!

[habernac]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

Well that's wasn't bad at all. Plenty warm with two pairs of socks, winter boots, long johns and my snow pants. Upper layer of an under####, sweater, and bike jacket. Actually got a little sweaty under it all.

Pathways left a little to be desired. Not cleared around Eau Claire at Prince's island, cleared at riverwalk and over to St. George's drive on the north side of the river, and then the Nose creek path only cleared until 8th avenue, north of that it was tough slogging and bumpy along all the snow compacted down by walkers. Cleared again right at the bridge over Deerfoot by the Sun building. I'm hoping those sections are all cleared by this afternoon. Wishful thinking?

They'll get all of that done today. I pansied out today, didn't have the muster to go 17km in the cold today.

[Fuzz]

So I bought a balaclava at lunch. Goddamned thing tried to kill me on my ride home. It has "air holes" that are entirely insufficient in size and quantity for the amount of breathing I was attempting to do riding up 10th st. It has no stretch, so I couldn't pull it down, and is of a design that keeps the mask bubbled out, but being made of soft material it expanded and contracted like a plastic bag on my face. It was all the fun of auto-erotic asphyxiation with none of the erotic parts. Think I need to cut a bigger hole...