Today is the coldest day of the year. When I left home on my bike it was six degrees. Yes, I did ride. Yes, this was my first ride in single-digit temperatures. No, I don’t think I’ll do it again.
I was well-covered, including three pair of socks, ski goggles and a balaclava. My body and hands were warm enough, but my nose and feet were painfully cold. I’m unable to ride fast in cold weather, so I was out in it for one hour and 45 minutes.
The ride home today is supposed to be in the teens, so it should be more comfortable.
I did switch out my clipless pedals on my recumbent to platforms, so I could wear warmer shoes, but that still wasn’t enough.
I’ve already done my super-cold riding for this lifetime. I didn’t have to prove anything to myself by riding this morning. My girlfriend, who usually rides TARC to work, opted for driving as well, as she doesn’t have quite the right gear for bus-waiting in sub-zero wind chill times. Maybe soon–we are both working on extending our temperature minimums, and we may get a lot of opportunity over the next couple of months!
Good for you. As good as November was, my December has been poor. My time off (teacher, you know) has been filled with activities and I didn’t manage to do a suffer-fest in the cold.
My coldest ride was 4F and in 20″ of snow. THAT was a challenge. Congrats and happy holidays.
Wow! Good for you, I had 2 deg F at the house Monday morning.
You may have to look into heated socks.
Now you know cold is not a show stopper!
Have a very Merry Christmas, may God bless you and yours in the New Year.
Tim,
My mileage has been poor this month also. Icy roads are more of a problem for me than cold temperatures. Luckily, the roads were perfectly clear on Monday.
Mark,
I probably will do more winter riding, but it’ll be limited this year. I really need boots. I thought I had some, but I could not find them.
Next winter I will be ready. I’ll have good boots, a better balaclava, and base layers that wick away sweat better than what I have now. I’ll also spring for studded tires. I can’t afford any of this for this year, but I should be able to get some of it on sale during the off-season.