Winter Sucks

[6zfshdb]

I carry a couple of disposable shower caps for inclement weather. They fit over my helmet perfectly. No need to dry before storing, at <.10 apiece, just chuck 'em.

Amazon.com

 

[mclewis1]

My Abus helmet also has a built-in rain cover. Have yet to put it to the test in heavy rain, but easy to deploy and never left at home.

That's a pretty cool place to store a cover.

Unless I'm fully "kitted" with all my rain gear I figure how well my helmet/cover combo works is going to be the least of my issues. Well almost the least, since keeping your head relatively dry does make you feel better.

Getting drenched from the waist down from a passing vehicle is a little higher on my list of complaints, and even more so if it's really wet cold slush. How do cars and especially trucks know exactly where they, that particularly wide and deep puddle, and me will all meet at the same time? They must time it because they do it sooo well.

 

[m@Robertson]

I use a slightly thinner (but less rain protection on it's own) "head gaitor" than that nice Sealskinz one that m@Robertson mentioned. Instead I also have a thin rain cover for my helmet. This provides reasonable wind and rain protection as well as an insulating layer (air space) when it's cold. The combination of thin gaitor (or just a head band when it's not as cold) works well in a variety of winter conditions. The thin head gaitor also means that I don't have to make a big change to my helmet's fit as I would if I was using thicker head gear.

I just use whatever cap is within reach and leave it at that, so it could be a thin fleece tacticool cap, or a cotton workout beanie etc.. Since I am committed to a twice-daily routine bike ride to downtown where I am resolved to not drive, I am looking at more-serious wet weather protection now that I am on the coast.

I think I am just going to do the wool cap under the helmet, and try and do the visor'd one I already own simply to put them, to use. They came in a 3-pak and two of them are still good to go. I need dry... warm is not a big deal as it doesn't get below freezing here and even then only rarely that low.

Also as gaiters go, if its not raining and even down to freezing, one of these worn on my head is fine and its almost paper-thin. They take up absolutely zero added bulk and are long enough you just fold it over so there's no 'hole' above your head in the helmet. AND they double as a face covering that is warm in the winter (a little at least) and thin enough they can be a bug filter when mouth-breathing at 20 mph. Double them up for more serious cold weather. One over the head and one around the neck, each pulled up/down to cover your ears, and you have a balaclava.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Getting drenched from the waist down from a passing vehicle is a little higher on my list of complaints, and even more so if it's really wet cold slush. How do cars and especially trucks know exactly where they, that particularly wide and deep puddle, and me will all meet at the same time? They must time it because they do it sooo well.

Inherent perversity of the Universe — no human conspiracy required though always possible.

The interior of my convertible got drenched that way on one of Denver's occasional sunny 70°F winter days. Lots of water and slush still in some streets, but couldn't resist taking it out.

Thought it was parked plenty far enough off the street to leave the top down. But just as I came out of the store, a bus plowed through a big puddle in the street at speed, sending a perfectly aimed tsunami of black water right into my previously non-black interior.

Bus driver had no way to avoid the puddle in that traffic.

 

[PedalUma]

I saw dead Chinook salmon today. It is seasonal. Once they hit fresh water to spawn the clock starts ticking to their deaths. They do support the ecosystem with all of that energy returning. Two were 25 pounders. Another species is called a trout because they can return to the sea and can spawn for several years. Those are the Steelhead trout. They are also huge. What is weird is that Alaskan salmon don't spawn for another 7 months.

 

[Taylor57]

I am looking for a water-resistant/windproof balaclava ski mask. I have a couple of balaclavas, but they are not water-resistant/wind-resistant.

What do you use that works well e-biking when it is cold outside?

Brandy

 

[PedalUma]

Brandy such a fine girl. But my wife, my lover and lady is the Sea.
Seafarers know how to use layers and wool. I get one new cashmere or Merino blend sweeter each year. They are much faster aerodynamically than lycra or spandex. The fuzz acts like a bird's feathers or a shark's skin, creating micro turbulence. That is why golf balls with dimples go farther and faster than smooth ones in tests. I adore wool. I use wool all Winter. And even in the SF Bay area fog of August. Army/Navy surplus stores also have good wool products at great prices.

 

[Sparky731]

You are all scaring me with your stories of snow and cold. I am returning to Wisconsin this Friday for a 2 week holiday trip. Can’t say I will do any riding or not. In the meantime it has been very nice this week In AZ. 80’s all week. Great biking along the Phoenix area washes. Tempe Lake Trail through Scottsdale along the Indian Bend Wash and Queen Creek and Sonoqui Wash Trails are favorites. Especially enjoying night riding in T-shirt and shorts.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

More snow.

 

[fooferdoggie]

Had to change my light and supple tires to more durable ones way to many punctures in cold rain. also changed out these great ceramic brake pads that were great in the dry but with all the rain the squeal like banshees and people even in cars look around. well I marked them and saved them for good weather.

 

[PedalUma]

I really need to clean my daily ridder. The brakes have mud in them and are super loud. What is good is that if there is a distracted meandering pedestrian on a path the loud brakes work better than an air horn to get their attention.

 

[Rome]

Im going to drop off my Bulls bike at dealer service for its annual winter maintenance. The speedometer stopped working. I will have brakes done and true the rear wheel.

 

[Roamers]

Suggested to my wife we need to get the first ride of the year in before we switch the snowblower for bikes in storage.

Didn't get a ride in; back to cloudy, windy, and 40 and below today. Oh well, next year.

 

[PedalUma]

What to do when trapped inside due to Winter weather? Take a look at this. It is darkly funny, bold, brilliantly bizarre and a satirical dystopian Si-fi thriller set to the backdrop of a global climate crisis.

Kirsten McDougall- She’s A Killer- @CursesMcD @GallicBooks

ALICE: 30-something, IQ of 159 (almost a genius), only communicates with her mother in Morse code. Her imaginary friend is back. ERIKA: 15, daughter of hot ‘wealthugee’ who loves Russian literature…

ravencrimereads.wordpress.com

 

[Rexlion]

Brandy such a fine girl. But my wife, my lover and lady is the Sea.
Seafarers know how to use layers and wool. I get one new cashmere or Merino blend sweeter each year. They are much faster aerodynamically than lycra or spandex. The fuzz acts like a bird's feathers or a shark's skin, creating micro turbulence. That is why golf balls with dimples go farther and faster than smooth ones in tests. I adore wool. I use wool all Winter. And even in the SF Bay area fog of August. Army/Navy surplus stores also have good wool products at great prices.

View attachment 167799View attachment 167800

Have you ever tried an alpaca sweater? I bought one last year and it's crazy warm. Thinking about getting another one.

 

[Rexlion]

Yesterday it hit 70 degrees here, so definitely a riding day. A little dirt as you can see, but mostly it was on pavement.

 

[m@Robertson]

And even in the SF Bay area fog of August. Army/Navy surplus stores also have good wool products at great prices.

View attachment 167799
There was a time when I had maybe a half dozen of those wool military pullover sweaters (aka the "woolly pully"), identical to that green one. IIRC all of mine were UK military surplus. Also had a USA version from the Air Force that was blue. Same exact sweater just a different color. They were my go-to for winter cycling. Look closely at the sleeves they are really long and meant to be rolled at the cuffs, which means for a brachiator like myself they are fantastic for a riding position where I am reaching forward. I just leave the cuffs unrolled and magic I have sleeves that actually fit me.

I need to check my boxes and see if I still have any of them laying around. When I fattened up I stopped wearing them. Now that I have slimmed down I can put the things back on again.

 

[PedalUma]

those wool military pullover sweaters

I have also had a few over the years, military surplus. They are hardy, warm, dry, and have a tailored attractive cut. They are made for movement, very unlike something like a suit coat.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I have also had a few over the years, military surplus. They are hardy, warm, dry, and have a tailored attractive cut. They are made for movement, very unlike something like a suit coat.

I can see how'd they be nice for cool-weather cycling, but I no longer have a tailored attractive cut.

 

[m@Robertson]

I have also had a few over the years, military surplus. They are hardy, warm, dry, and have a tailored attractive cut. They are made for movement, very unlike something like a suit coat.

I had to stop myself from going online and buying one. Must look first and see if I have an old one still. Many being surplus were a bit holey and holes never get smaller so not sure I can still use them.