Signs of fall/winter.

[PCeBiker]

No, the battery is in the cuff. It's not bad. But when I shake my hands to wake them up, you feel it. Sometimes the battery comes loose, too. Or the glue gets turned on when it's in my bag and the battery dies, so I need a spare set of batteries.

Oh OK,..
I thought that you only had the one battery, but it must be one battery per glove.

 

[fooferdoggie]

Oh OK,..
I thought that you only had the one battery, but it must be one battery per glove.

yep, one in each pocket on the bottom of the glove. It would be nice to have an external source, but it would be a hassle, too. They only last about 2 hours on high.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I'm sure our higher-latitude and -altitude members will be pleased to know that daytime temperatures have dropped ~5°F here in San Diego County over the last 2-3 weeks and are now averaging in the upper 60s. Expecting another month or so of this.

October's my favorite month here — especially for cycling purposes — and today was just gorgeous!

Got two minor rains early in the month, but it's been the usual dry and mostly sunny since. The big Pacific storm systems bringing most of our rain will likely come in December-March.

Shorts, long-sleeved light jerseys, and fingerless gloves are my best bets for a comfortable ride now. Soon the light gillet or shells will come out, then the tights and sometimes the full-fingered gloves. Cool, damp wind is generally the main reason to dress more warmly here, but seldom need more than middle-weight bike clothes.

Just thought you'd like to know.
;^}

 

[6zfshdb]

The problems I have with heavy gloves are shifting and using touch screens. They are often too bulky to use the shift mechanism effectively and are too thick to activate icons on a touch screen.

I solved the shifting issue by converting to an electronic paddle shifter:

I can use a touch screen with thin gloves made for that purpose but I have yet to see heated gloves that will work. The thin gloves aren't warm enough on some cold rides so I've been using my hunting gloves that have a flap in the palm where you can poke your trigger finger through. They are quite bulky though and sometimes awkward to work the brakes.

 

[kevinmccune]

I drove from PA down to NJ to deliver my brothers bike this weekend. He's had it stored in my barn since his hip gave out 8 years ago. He finally had the hip replaced and wants to start riding again. I took my bike along with the idea of riding the Henry Hudson Trail near where he lives. 41 degrees when I started out and even my full insulated groves wouldn't keep my hands from stiffening up. I've been thinking about getting heated gloves, any recommendations?

Anyway, the cold temps plus the wet leaves on the trail made riding quite tricky. I finally turned around and abandoned the ride when I lost control on a tight curve. Tires wouldn't bite on the leaves and I nearly dropped the bike. Up till now, I've had good luck with the Marathon Plus MTB tires, but they just don't seem to like wet leaves.

Normally I ride well into November but the riding season around here may be coming to an early end unless it warms a bit and dries out.

its a possibility,the 40 degree temperature swings make it hard to dress properly have to get back in the saddle the few rides I took this year were very short,the continued destruction on my primary ride loop has me looking at other alternatives I may try a bit of the old river,RR trail in WVa 60 plus miles,not this year though have to scare up a spare battery,the Alleghany RR Jackson river trail has been increased in length,landowner who bought the old "lower cascade" golf course has apparently let the trailhead be extended into his property.I believe a bike I converted and donated ended up giving one of my friends sons mobility again( he lost his drivers license-ebikes can certainly be useful happy trails sojourners. Might have to look at tires like Pedaluma suggested,I don't want things to get too complicated.
My wife's friends son is in a nursing home after the unlicensed bus driver ran him over,the municipality is trying to duck responsibility and doesn't want to even stand good for the hospital bills( don't know if he can keep his leg or not)
Florida must be a hard state to get compensated for an injury,I told her to skip the little guys and go to a badass law firm like F.Lee Baileys group( after all they got a murderer acquitted and got GM off the hook on the exploding Chevy pickup gas tanks) at least take it to a higher court.
Lowes screwed me one time when I tripped over a stinkin concrete parking lot bar I didn't see in the walkway( it wasn't even painted yellow,it hyper extended my foot and screwed my knee tendons bad,the investigation was handled by an office in North Carolina( same building as Lowes corparate.i wasn't trying to get money,just a little help on the medical bills and lost work-The jerk investigator said"unfortunately Lowes wasn't at fault[sic] they finally removed the parking bar( was contemplating stealing it and throwing over a bank somewhere-so "fork" Lowes,don't ever get hurt in their stinkin premises,no wonder the Lowes store burn from time to time.I just let it go and try to shop at Home depot.

 

[PCeBiker]

,.. Up till now, I've had good luck with the Marathon Plus MTB tires, but they just don't seem to like wet leaves.

I don’t think ANY Tires are safe on wet leaves??

Perhaps big fat 4" nobby tires inflated to 5 PSI would work better?

I think the only way to ride on wet leaves (or kelp or wet noodles) with Any sort of traction, is to have spiked/cleated tires for winter ice riding?

 

[6zfshdb]

I don't think spiked tires would work as well on wet leaves as they do on ice. Wet leaves are often "layered" and difficult for the studs to penetrate down to a solid surface. Another factor is, leaves can obscure root heaves or potholes in the trail surface and sometimes cause loss of control even when dry.

IMO, best to avoid riding on them if at all possible.

 

[PCeBiker]

. Wet leaves are often "layered" and difficult for the studs to penetrate down to a solid surface. Another factor is, leaves can obscure root heaves or potholes ,..

I float through loose gravel all the time riding no-hands, and I'm OK if I ride in a straight line without braking or turning, but even the crown of the gravel road shoulders can be enough slope to start me sliding out sideways.

Wet leaves can be covering up the slightest slope that is enough to have your wheel slip out from under you.

I remember seeing a video of a motorcycle ice race.
The tires had 1-2 inch long spikes in them.

Maybe that would work for wet leaves

 

[Gionnirocket]

I don't think spiked tires would work as well on wet leaves as they do on ice. Wet leaves are often "layered" and difficult for the studs to penetrate down to a solid surface. Another factor is, leaves can obscure root heaves or potholes in the trail surface and sometimes cause loss of control even when dry.

IMO, best to avoid riding on them if at all possible.

My county does a pretty good job of blowing leaves off the main trail so they're typically not a problem... well that is until I go Rambo off trail. But that adds to the enjoyment if not for the occasional pedal strike.
I've got a pair of heated socks and they're ok. I wouldn't say they keep your feet warm but they do keep them from getting cold if that makes sense.
I've thought about getting gloves as well but I'm usually not out long enough for that to be a problem. Twist shifter and decent buttons on the 860c display can be operated easily. Not an interactive display rider so skiing gloves work well for me.

And just incase you weren't sure about California Stefan. . .
You all now know

 

[PCeBiker]

I've got a pair of heated socks and they're ok. I wouldn't say they keep your feet warm but they do keep them from getting cold if that makes sense.

I'm pretty sure that I'll be getting heated socks too.
I won't spend $100, but I won't get the $2 version either.

Something with a reasonable price that uses the same batteries as my gloves.

 

[Gionnirocket]

Yeah I'll admit I didn't spend a lot on them... But I also don't need them to last 8 hours so I went for something middle of the range. Not a big fan of hot/sweaty feet nor want app control. I half_ass'd tested them indoors on a cold floor when I first got them and I believe they were 10°f above ambient. This will be my third season with them and the batteries are still working well.
I probably would spend a little more in the future if I ever replace these... But I'll more than likely just light up the fireplace and mix up a totti instead

 

[fooferdoggie]

I tried heated socks my feet are too big and they were not comfortable. Insulated boots work ok. But I find I don't need them that often.

 

[fooferdoggie]

Of course got the first low tire of the season. With tubes, if you lose a bunch of air, it's usually too big a hole or you're out of fluid. With some air, I got to the place we were eating, came out, added air, looked for the wet spot, and plugged it like a man

 

[PCeBiker]

I went for a 2 hour ride today and I was a little cold but I could ignore it.
It was mostly sunny, 12°C with a 16 kph wind.

I had on a t-shirt, jean jacket, down filled bomber jacket, leather jacket, fleece pants, Carhartt duck pants, thermal socks, hiking boots, and leather winter riding gloves.

My fingers were kinda cold and the leather gloves felt a little slippery on the grips, but I could operate the brakes without too much trouble.

The worst part was my feet as always, that are either hot and sweaty, or cold and clammy.
I don’t think my feet are ever warm, dry and comfortable? They just oscillate between hot and cold soakers.

My feet weren't really cold, but my damp feet felt gross.


My nose kept running too, and I had to keep pulling over to remove my gloves and goggles to blow my nose.
As soon as my goggles came off, my eyes started watering and got all over my eye lashes blurring my vision, so I had to wipe my eyes with my snot filled kleenex, so that part is kinda gross too.

I'm too leaky to comfortably ride in the winter.

 

[fooferdoggie]

I went for a 2 hour ride today and I was a little cold but I could ignore it.
It was mostly sunny, 12°C with a 16 kph wind.

I had on a t-shirt, jean jacket, down filled bomber jacket, leather jacket, fleece pants, Carhartt duck pants, thermal socks, hiking boots, and leather winter riding gloves.

god, that would kill me. I would wear a T-shirt and my wind jacket, that's enough, and shorts and my sandals. Maybe a heavy T-shirt at most because of the wind. It was 50 and raining, and I was in a heavy jersey light rain coat and bibs, and rain pants. I used my heated gloves with no heat.

 

[Gionnirocket]

god, that would kill me. I would wear a T-shirt and my wind jacket, that's enough, and shorts and my sandals. Maybe a heavy T-shirt at most because of the wind. It was 50 and raining, and I was in a heavy jersey light rain coat and bibs, and rain pants. I used my heated gloves with no heat.

Same here...
I rode the same 55°f here today with a thin breathable long-sleeved sport shirt with a thin sport t-shirt over that which I really didn't need. Topped off with a paper thin windbreaker.
Bottom half was padded biking shorts under paper thin windbreaker pants... and I was borderline too hot.
This setup would probably be perfect for 48°-50°f
Had on thin but insulted windbreaker gloves that I swapped out for something more breathable half way through the 25mi ride

 

[fooferdoggie]

Same here...
I rode the same 55°f here today with a thin breathable long-sleeved sport shirt with a thin sport t-shirt over that which I really didn't need. Topped off with a paper thin windbreaker.
Bottom half was padded biking shorts under paper thin windbreaker pants... and I was borderline too hot.
This setup would probably be perfect for 48°-50°f
Had on thin but insulted windbreaker gloves that I swapped out for something more breathable half way through the 25mi ride

What's bad is when it's 60 and pouring rain, and I am riding to work or home. If I go full raingear, I am going to cook, but if not, my pants are going to be soaked. I gave up on medium-weight gloves because I keep losing them.

 

[Gionnirocket]

I went for a 2 hour ride today and I was a little cold but I could ignore it.
It was mostly sunny, 12°C with a 16 kph wind.

I had on a t-shirt, jean jacket, down filled bomber jacket, leather jacket, fleece pants, Carhartt duck pants, thermal socks, hiking boots, and leather winter riding gloves.

My fingers were kinda cold and the leather gloves felt a little slippery on the grips, but I could operate the brakes without too much trouble.

The worst part was my feet as always, that are either hot and sweaty, or cold and clammy.
I don’t think my feet are ever warm, dry and comfortable? They just oscillate between hot and cold soakers.

My feet weren't really cold, but my damp feet felt gross.


My nose kept running too, and I had to keep pulling over to remove my gloves and goggles to blow my nose.
As soon as my goggles came off, my eyes started watering and got all over my eye lashes blurring my vision, so I had to wipe my eyes with my snot filled kleenex, so that part is kinda gross too.

I'm too leaky to comfortably ride in the winter.

Try something like this....

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NVXMGNJ/ref=sspa_dk_detail_6?pf_rd_p=386c274b-4bfe-4421-9052-a1a56db557ab&pf_rd_r=8ZSFBAQ0P4AV7DHGHDH6&pd_rd_wg=POLNu&pd_rd_w=duQYN&content-id=amzn1.sym.386c274b-4bfe-4421-9052-a1a56db557ab&pd_rd_r=81a0dc19-0949-4c6d-9714-ad4738fdec5d&s=outdoor-recreation&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1

I never would have but a friend that I ride with swears by them... and when I blew it off he bought one for me.
I can't tell you how comfortable it keeps your face below 50° It's too hot for me above 55° but eye tearing and frozen snot are a thing of the past on colder days.

 

[PCeBiker]

I went for a 2 hour ride today and I was a little cold,..

I think it's because I don't pedal.

I never got cold riding my mountain bike or dirt bike, but I was never too hot on my street bike motorcycle where I would just sit on my ass.

I always wore full leather, gloves and boots on my street bike, but I was never hot in the summer.

 

[fooferdoggie]

I think it's because I don't pedal.

I never got cold riding my mountain bike or dirt bike, but I was never too hot on my street bike motorcycle where I would just sit on my ass.

I always wore full leather, gloves and boots on my street bike, but I was never hot in the summer.

Yep, when I was riding a scooter, winter sucked. Now just the rain sucks. I am much more comfortable than when I was waiting for the bus.