Think of today as a preview.
I took off this morning about about 7:40, and the temperature was near freezing. The temperature at 12:45 is hovering the in the low to mid 40s. That’s about a normal winter day in southwest Missouri.
Yet there were plenty of people cycling this morning — maybe fewer by a little bit. The racks on campus were still bristling with bikes.
Hey Springfield! If you can ride a bicycle today you can ride one all winter. Check the temperature charts in the link above.
What does it take to ride in winter hereabouts? Well, what did it take this morning? One microfleece ear warmer, one microfleece jacket, insulated leather gloves — and that’s about it. On the coldest days I wear a heavier coat and a microfleece hat.
If you can ride today you can ride all winter.
Comments 4
thats why I like florida baby!
Posted 27 Oct 2008 at 1:27 pm ¶55 in the morning but 70 in the afternoon!
Posted 27 Oct 2008 at 1:48 pm ¶Dang! You must be tougher than me! I left home about an hour before you, but I augmented my wardrobe with thermal underwear and a full face cover today.
What I really have trouble with is cold fingers in spite of a fairly decent pair of Pearl Izumi winter gloves and silk liners underneath. I’ve always thought that if I could keep my hands warm, I’ve got enough layers for the rest of the body to keep riding. At this morning’s temperature, however, I was getting close to the limits of those gloves, so I ordered a pair of lobster mitts from a ski shop at lunch today. Hopefully they will keep me going as it gets colder.
I’ve got several places where I tend to spin along at 18-20 mph, and at that speed, the wind feels downright cutting to me.
Posted 27 Oct 2008 at 4:16 pm ¶Tracy… Remember, I have a 2.25-mile commute and I usually top out at 12 mph. So that’s a really big difference compared to what you’re doing. My gloves are pretty good — leather with Thinsulate. I also have a pair of ski gloves I use sometimes.
Posted 27 Oct 2008 at 5:42 pm ¶