BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

Dirty Dozen, if I HTFU.

Night rides!!!!!!!!!

I am ridiculously excited for winter. I feel like we haven't had a real winter since snowmageddon. Fall will be cool, too, though.

This is the best weather for cycling, especially for the morning commute. Just a tad chilly walking out the door, but neither sweater nor jacket needed.

Anyone who doesn't try to ride on days like these is not likely to ride any day of the year. It doesn't get better than this.

As to snow? Cold? Bring it.

I like the cooler weather, but I like winter less and less as I get old. Above all I hate the darkness coming on. Haaaaaaaate the darkness. Right now I'm just feeling like fall is things dying, a stretch of stupid holidays, then the living death of Jan and Feb. I'm a spring person.

If I was a billionaire I'd have a winter house in New Zealand. Dang, I should have pulled myself up by my bootstraps.

And the whole "backtoschool" thing every August still depresses the hell out of me, I've never gotten over that, after all these years.

I adore October. I've already spotted some splashes of orange in Washington County.

My feelings toward winter are decidedly mixed; I don't mind the cold, but I don't look forward to black ice or freezing rain.

Definitely could not be more excited about fall (for biking and for work). I'm a little worried about what my commute is going to look like in the winter now that I live on a hill in a hilly neighborhood, but overall this is a welcome change.

I think, too, the cooler weather will help cool the cyclist/driver tensions of late.

I need to get used to shorts and short sleeves down to 45 degrees again. I need 25s and clip on fendes on my big block or I need to just buy a nature boy. I like riding in snow but NOT in the dark to and from work. I also am excited for the dirty dozen!

yeah, fall is great, because who doesn't love 45 degrees and rainy? all those people who love fall forget that it spans more than the first week of october.

i have a two word phrase that sums up my feelings about fall (both begin with an 'f'), but edmonds said it much better for mixed company.

i'd rather have 45 & rainy than 95 & sauna-y.

45 and rain (autumn) beats hell out of 35 and rain (winter). I'd rather deal with 25 and snow than 35 and rain.

I'd rather deal with 25° and snow than 80° and anything.

Last year was really my first full year of riding, and the winter was so mild, I didn't get a real taste of real winter riding. Autumn temperatures are so nice and refreshing. It was great to actually shiver for once the other night on my ride home.

Do people get new tires for winter when the time comes? Do I switch to my mountain bike for commutes? Last winter I only really went out on days that the roads were nice and clear. I'd like to be a year round rider, but like I said, Im relatively new to this. A little uneducated when it comes to that ice n'at.

I was wondering something similar. This is the first year that I won't be riding a mountain bike with fat tires in the winter. Should I buy some knobby tires? or is it likely that I can get by without?

so you know where i'm coming from, 85 and sunny is pretty much just how i like it. if i'm out on a ride, 75-80 might be better.

as far as winter riding, i rode all last year and the year before on slick 23s. the winter before last we did have some pretty amazing snow, which was very fun to ride in. i haven't ridden on fatties or knobbies or studdedies, so i can't say much for them, but i wouldn't expect you to have much trouble with normal commuting tires, if you're careful.

RF- you will be fine without fat tires/knobs.

I think I'm going to break down and get studs this year. They're only useful on ice, but I took a spill on ice last year and I'd rather not do that again.

I've ridden in the snow with 23-24mm road tires without too much trouble. They cut through the snow and slush pretty well, but I'd suggest a modicum of caution. Black ice is lethal, and the greasy, damp snow/slush mix that can form between the road surface and the snow can cause some slipping on climbs.

I'd love to have it in the 50s and 60s year round. Below 40 is fine, as long as it doesn't get too wet. I'll ride down to about 10 degrees.

The most annoying aspect of the fall, winter and early spring from my perspective is the significant change of temperature one can encounter on a ride. Layers help, but I'd rather have it stay 25 degrees than deal with a 15 degree increase in weather.

Snow mush is the worst evil. Lightly packed snow is the most fun, especially when it’s above your pedals at the 6 o'clock position…

Layers are hard. I recently got some leg warmers and I have to say that being able to stop and take them off in 15 seconds is pretty amazing from a comfort point of view vs. something that’s you commit to for your whole ride.

I do great above 80 (so hot wind doesn't affect my comfort) and I do great below 20 (likewise so cold wind doesn't affect my comfort).

That inbetween nonsense (most of the year last year) just confounds me and makes me uncomfortable. I hate getting somewhere and not knowing if I'm wet from the rain or wet from sweat, and being hot and cold at once. It's like the flu with less sinus issues. I just haven't figured out those in-between layers yet for biking - the wind seriously throws me off.

Erica - slicks made me nervous, but I've used decently slick tires on hard ice and not had any issues (they've got some tread but not enough to call knobbies). Black ice or slushy snow worry me the most, those are crap unless you've got studs. I'd skip the studs unless we have a real winter, last year wasn't worth it.

personally, i've found that the best upgrade i can get to combat wet slushy snow is a Bus Pass.

(but i also detest riding in the rain & snow).

I look forward to the inexorable approach of winter with joy and trepidation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtnKT2ipRgs

Mick, that song is way too depressing and morbid to accompany joy! absolutely beautiful rendition of it, but heavy.

I hate riding in the rain. The nearest I've been to a serious auto accident was being one car behind a couple of idiots colliding going too fast around the curve on Forbes inbound between Braddock and Dallas. This was on wet leaves in the autumn. Biking through that area in slick conditions of any kind just scares the hell out of me.

I love the ability to breath in significant amounts of oxygen in the mornings. Seems like my commute shortens by 3-4 minutes.

Fall is a great time to ride. We need the rain, but it doesn't rain all that much in the Fall. Over-exaggerated like most things and just something for people to whine about.

And the whole "backtoschool" thing every August still depresses the hell out of me, I've never gotten over that, after all these years.

This, though it's happened more since I had kids.

I love the fall, despite the chilly rain.

oh, man, it took years for me to kick the "must collect new writing implements and supplies" party spending spree every fall. Back to school was my favorite time of year. Classes were all still new and interesting (takes three weeks for the shiny to wear off and it gets tedious), friends were actually around, and then just as it starts to get old Halloween plans need to be made.

It's my favorite time of year, I just suck at riding in comfortable weather.

oh, and yinz should totally be glad rain comes in multiple drops: http://what-if.xkcd.com/12/

I'm looking forward to not being a sweaty mess when I get to/from work.

Really looking forward to commuting through the winter this year. I've been riding a 29er since May, but with different tires. This weekend I will go back to the MTB tires that came with the bike, and will stand outside shaking my fist at the sky saying "Bring it!"

I have a suitable commuter ride, but I can not get over riding in the dark. I guess I just need to get used to it, because the temp changes are awesome. A little less construction in McKeesport would be nice as well.

TonyP - I had the same issue a few years ago. It really threw me. The only solution I could come up with was to just blinky the hell outta myself, get a good rechargable headlight to see with, retroreflective jacket, retroreflective tape all over the bike, and dynamo blinky pedals (blink on all sides). I'm most petrified of not being seen than anything else. Light it up big!

But it is one of those things to just go an do it. Eventually it started feeling like just another ride, but there was always the twinge just before I left my driveway or the parking lot. Dusk is worse than night, and suburbs are worse than the city (in the city, the ambient light somehow always makes me feel safer).

I cannot explain in words how much better life has been for me since acquiring a 750 lumen headlight (helmet mounted). Some are down to around $200 now and well worth it.

Helmet based lgiht?

One of the things I enjoy about biking is making eye contact with other bikers, pedestrians and even people driving cars.

In my imagination, I would kiss all that goodbye with even small helmet based light.

How do you deal with it?

I regularly pass people with helmet mounted lights. I cannot see their faces and hence hesitate to say hi .. Dunno why I do that. Anyway, when I have the extra money, I am getting a helmet mounted light. I borrowed cburch's for CtC earlier this year and it was great for the abandoned tpke. It frees up handlebar space, too.

When riding in low light or failing light conditions not getting hit takes priority over being nice to other cyclists. I am sure the people I have ignored thank me for not looking directly at them and nodding as well.

I have two lights that are similar to this mounted on my helmet:

one red, one white, they were $25 each at thick. USB recharge, about 3 hours of battery life when it's not blinking

I also have a white cateye on my handlebars, a planet bike superflash on my seatpost, and a clip-on light that I got at the bikefest party that I pin to my collar. I typically ride in the wee hours of the morning, and I actually feel much safer during those hours than most others, traffic-wise.

Think about that - When we get to a point where the Pgh cycling community goes online to gripe that other cyclists are not dipping their high-beams to oncoming cyclists, I think we will be at an excellent place. I think it is close.

My ideal setup is a "see" light on the handlebars and a "be seen" light on the helmet.

Riding off road at night is kind of like playing a video game to me.

"See" is on my helmet, "be seen" is on the bars. Looking to replace the POS on the bars though, just need to find one that has a faster flash like the PB's do.

the right light does make a big difference. i have a nice wide beam on my handlebars with which i can ride even completely unlit schenley trails at night, without having to slow down at all.

and it is kind of like a video game! especially since the light is handlebar mounted, and the trails are winding, so you can't always see too far ahead of you. fun!

i think we as humans are wired to think that if we can see, we can be seen. get a good enough set of lights, and you'll forget that you're riding at night.

So you never nod hello to anyone?

Geeze, to me, that's like having your own cage.

In the daylight I do, the light is dimmed and flashing. I will wave if people look at me but it is hard to tell if they have a light and they don't often stare at mine.

the only thing i really can't stand about the autumn weather is the wind. the crisp air is great, the rain is whatever, snow is a fun challenge, but the wind scares me. i really don't like getting whipped about in traffic by an invisible force.

I like being able to be fully immersed in whatever the weather of the day gives me.

Some of you over lit cyclists may have heard me say "too bright" when we passed in panther hollow. After coming off the trail, my eyes are adjusted ot the dark, while you were just starting off the roads. You don't need all that light on the bike path- just enough to avoid a head on with other motorless persons.

And how many lumens do you find acceptable?

@helen s Some of you over lit cyclists may have heard me say "too bright" when we passed in panther hollow.

I sometimes comment, too - but the problem isn't "too bright" the problem is lights pointed at eyes, not on the road.

I'm not sure why someone woudl ride a trail with a VERY BRIGHT flashing light pointed at people's eyes, but I've seen it. Lends creedence to the hypothesis that aggression, not safety, is the goal such a lighting scheme.

You are correct- it's not the brightness, but the angle. I usually turn off my lights on the trail if I can see ahead to save the battery, then click it on if someone is approaching.

I forgot my gloves at work on Monday (I keep them there because I often spend an hour or so in the walk-in freezer). And my laundry was still wet this morning, which meant I had a very chilly and mind-awakening ride in this morning. It was actually pretty awesome. I brought my gloves home for tomorrow, though

A properly aimed light it fine, never heard "too bright" and frankly I would rather hear of an epidemic of "too bright" than more ninjas. One of the two gets hit, the other is just inconsiderate.

Lights: Mine are mounted rather loosely, so that I can tip it forward so as not to blind someone, or, alternatively, to light the trail I am riding after dark.

Gloves: Could have used them this morning, riding 10 miles in at 45F. Two mornings ago I did the same thing and took a light coat, which almost was too much. No coat this morning, and while my body didn't care for the chill the first mile, I hardly noticed it, other than my hands, once I got going.

I was having trouble seeing the path at all in Junction Hollow one night a week or two ago, and then came across a couple one of whom had a headlamp so bright I couldn't see anything for their entire approach and a few moments after they'd gone by. I actually had to stop and stand there a few moments because I couldn't see anything.

A friend of mine and I are riding from Heinz Field to the Liberty Bell this Wednesday morning to catch PA Fall foliage. We will be on and off the S route as we are staying at friend's places along the way. Thanks to a good brother who will cart us home.

Hey guys, this will be my first time riding in the winter in and around Pittsburgh, what sort of gear do you all wear and carry on rides??

Riding through winter is a lot of fun and gives you " badass". status! There are some good cold weather threads here, I 'll see if I can find one to top. Full fenders, different chain lube, and lots of layers...avoid cotton in favor of wool or technical fabrics. Balaclava, glove liners....

Dang pseuda, nice digging.

Mstillwagon, where are you from, just for a frame of reference as to what you are used to/how badly you will be shocked?

Here's another old thread ***with pictures***

http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/winter-style-guide-2k10

And one on rain jackets

http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/rain-gear

Man I should not have gone to the one with pictures, crushed my ability to remain in denial. Gave me a body memory of cold. Now I want to move.

^ha! @marko the winter style guide is great...that should be added to this year.

Some thoughts on fall and winter:

1) gloves: biking ? thin leather ? acrylic with "leather" appliques. All articulated.

2) t-shirt ? + light thermal undershirt ? heavy thermal undershirt.

3) fleece ? shell ? light jacket

4) shorts ? shants ? + phd socks (or pants, depending on your engagement)

5) "mountain" shoes (or just plain sneakers, just not roadie shoes + booties: tacky).

6) skull-cap ("beanie", "watch cap", whatever) under helmet.

This has worked for me down to 20-25F. Below that I feel I need a face-mask, so I don't: it feels creepy.

Your mileage may vary. I just take the bus.

One thing to note is that exertion matters. When it's really cold I detour via a steep hill not far from my house: It warms me up enough to not so much feel the cold on the rest of the trip. More to the point, it really helps my hands feel warm.

Slush and snow is alarming. But I've never felt that I'd lose control; maybe I have an uneventful commute. On arrival, banging the bike up and down seems to dislodge most of the crud. Spray wash on a +freezing (and ideally sunny) day. Stay lubed.

Did I miss anything? Oh, right: sunny crisp winter days reaffirm that cycling is a magical experience...

^ all that ahlir said, especially about exertion. dont underestimate the power of body heat.

If you see someone swerving around like they are drunk (but only when it is safe) it might just be me, riding over every crunchy fallen leaf.

I've always liked this thread, if only because it's easy to remember, and I don't have to go search for it, I just replace whatever thread I'm in in the URL with this one word. Plus, Winter '09-going-into-'10 was a real winter.

http://bike-pgh.org/bbpress/topic/warmology

+2 ahlir.

It's bad being cold, but its worse when your sweat starts to refreeze on your clothes.

@frisbee I'm glad I'm not the only one

@pbeaver: I agree. I guess the solution is to keep moving. On the other hand, my jacket has those under-arm zippers; they can keep you from getting too warm. Also, just unzipping the jacket does wonders.

One thing I forgot to mention: a bandana around the neck to keep the wind at bay.

On reflection, it seems like a lot of this carries over from skiing...

Same advice I give every year. Beards.

^that. No other face gear necessary until temps/ wind chill gets below 10° or so. I started mine a month earlier than usual this year... I have a feeling that this winter is going to suck.

Same advice I give every year. Beards.

HiddenVariable likes this.

been telling people all summer that it wicks, too.