Winter Triking

Quoted message said:

1. Obviously I must keep warm

Wear lightweight, wicking clothing in layers. I'm comfy riding down to
about 30F in warm tights, long-sleeve "underarmor"-type shirt,
long-sleeve jersey and light, breathable running jacket. Sometimes I
add an extra long-sleeve running shirt over the jersey. Ski gloves or
similar, with liners/shells as needed for temp/sweat/rain management,
are good. Feet are hard - last winter I went to extra-large sandals
with liners, heavy socks and sealskins. It worked pretty well for
short rides (< 10 miles) down into the low 30's.

Quoted message said:

2. I tend to sweat when I ride. I don't want to freeze once I stop riding
because I'm all wet and now getting cold.

See above. The more sweat you lose through your clothes while riding
the less you'll chill after. Get the sweat off your body - *don't*
wear a heavy "winter" coat for riding unless the temps are well below
freezing (say, less than 20F).

Quoted message said:

3. While I can bring along a change of clothes it is likely that I won't get
to change until I get to work and I have a 20 minute walk once I get off the
train.

You can carry an extra jacket in your bag and layer it on as needed.
This might be a good place for a rain shell, which is otherwise a
miserable thing to wear in my experience. Since most shells breathe
very little, they tend to keep you hot - you can put it on when you
start feeling chilly and warm up quickly.

Quoted message said:

4. I assume I'll need some sort of face protection for the coldest of days.

I like a lightweight balaclava, pulled up over my nose. It keeps my
face warm and warms the air I'm breathing. If it's too heavy I trouble
breathing through it. I usually pull it down after the first 5 minutes
or so, because by then I'm warmer than I want to be. Under it I wear a
medium-weight skullcap that keeps my ears warm - when I pull the
balaclava up over my nose, it folds out at about the temples and
creates little air scoops that funnel cold air back to my ears.

Quoted message said:

Any opinions from experienced winter riders (with one notable exception) are
welcome and appreciated.

I also need some suggestions for Fall and Spring when the weather isn't
quite as cold as December - March.

Same as above, just less of it. I wear light tights and a jacket in
the mornings now (mid-50's) and will switch to the warm tights and
long-sleeved jerseys when AM temps are in the 40's.

Quoted message said:

For those of you that don't know I live about 25 miles from New York City.

I live in Seattle, so I have no info about riding in snow - I've ridden
in 1", once, for under a mile (microclimate on a riverside bike path).
Your temps may also get colder than mine, but the principle is the same
- light layers, and you should feel cool for the first few minutes of
riding. I get the strangest looks waiting for the bus in the dark, in
the low 40's, with my jacket open, jersey unzipped and balaclava pulled
down so I can cool off (after only a 3-mile ride)!

Quoted message said:

Thanks,

Jeff

Jeff Grippe said:

Hello All,

Preface:

Ed, I have no ability to exclude you from this thread but I would request
that you not contribute to it. As always you are free to do as you wish but
I have made my request.

Main Topic:

I have been commuting to the train station by Trike (3.5 miles to the
station, anywhere between 3.5 and 12 miles home depending on the route)
since June.

I would like to continue this throughout the winter. Does anyone have some
ideas on how to dress. The problems I foresee are:

1. Obviously I must keep warm

2. I tend to sweat when I ride. I don't want to freeze once I stop riding
because I'm all wet and now getting cold.

3. While I can bring along a change of clothes it is likely that I won't get
to change until I get to work and I have a 20 minute walk once I get off the
train.

4. I assume I'll need some sort of face protection for the coldest of days.

Any opinions from experienced winter riders (with one notable exception) are
welcome and appreciated.

I also need some suggestions for Fall and Spring when the weather isn't
quite as cold as December - March.

For those of you that don't know I live about 25 miles from New York City.

Thanks,

Jeff

Hi Jeff

I don't know if you saw the 'man creates bubble bike' post from Tom
Sherman some time back, so I'm re-posting it below. Last time I
checked the links were still active.

This may be more elaborate a solution than you are looking for, but I
found it interesting.

Indiana Mike

***************************************************

Quoted message said:

Man creates bubble bike
January 24, 2005 (Hobart, Wis.) - Sub-zero weather may be too cold
for even skiers, but it's just fine for one Wisconsin man who invented
a bubble bike to beat the elements.
Bike rider Bob Doster didn't want to put away his bike until spring, so
he created a cycle just right for riding in Wisconsin's bitter winters.
What he's come up with is a bubble bike. A tadpole-shaped shell
surrounds a tricycle running gear and protects Doster from the
elements. He says riding inside on an exercise bike was excruciatingly
boring. So, he came up with a way to ride outside, year-around. He says
he keeps so warm inside his bubble bike he has to ride in summer
clothes. ABC 7

A picture of Bob Doster's faired trike [1] can be found on the
Hellbent
Cycles [2] website. There is a promise of free plans for the fairing
being made available.

Another article about this trike is at
<http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/news/archive/local_19225196.shtml>.

[1] <http://www.hellbentcycles.com/CompleteSide1small.jpg> or
<http://www.hellbentcycles.com/whats_new.htm>
[2] Company for sale: <http://www.hellbentcycles.com/investors.htm>.

--
Tom Sherman - Earth

"Jeff Grippe" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

[winter commute]
1. Obviously I must keep warm

2. I tend to sweat when I ride. I don't want to freeze once I stop riding
because I'm all wet and now getting cold.

3. While I can bring along a change of clothes it is likely that I won't

get

Quoted message said:

to change until I get to work and I have a 20 minute walk once I get off

the

Quoted message said:

train.

I'm a cold weather wimp rider. If it's much under 35F, I don't
often ride. Without the third wheel, I'm also kept indoors
by even small amounts of frozen wet stuff on the road. Even
those restrictions, I do a fair amount of riding through the
N. Texas winter.

Since you have a "mixed-mode" commute, you may have
some "fashion" preferences, %^) -- i.e., do you want to ride
the train looking like a cyclist? What do you wear in the
summer?

A jogging suit (jacket/pants) or other street clothing that you
can pull-on over the bike clothes might be desirable. Do you
have storage available for your trike at the station? If so,
perhaps you can cache some "street clothes" or additional
layers there. If the train is very warm, you will likely want
clothes you can "vent" easily.

For lower body, some men don't like wearing long tights
(Mel Brooks' Robin Hood, notwithstanding). So you have
a two choices, go tight fit or go loose fit.

For tight fit there are a number of winter weight cycling or running
tights (Hind Arctic, for instance). I layer over that, fleece or other
synthetic pants, nylon wind pants and/or rain pants (breathable
fabric or not) as required for warmth and wet weather protection.

For loose fit, I start with the fleece or synthetic pants. Add an
layer of wicking long underwear as required for warmth. There
are lots of choices of weights and materials for long underwear.
Add the wind pants or rain pants as required.

For upper body, a tight wicking layer is desirable. The
Under Armor compression shirts are nice, but some people
may find them too constricting. Many people like long sleeve
bike jerseys as a first layer. I prefer less expensive long sleeve
wicking t- and turtleneck shirts. On top of that as required come
wool or fleece shirt/sweater and top it off with wind breaker
or rain shell (breathable fabric parka).

There's a relatively new category of jackets known as "soft
shells" These are not waterproof, but quite water and wind
resistant and incorporate a thin layer or insulation.

Quoted message said:

4. I assume I'll need some sort of face protection for the coldest of

days.

Yes, and a hat and/or ear protection. I have a fleece cap with ear flaps
that fits under my helmet. Add a wool scarf to breath through.

I haven't ridden my SWB much in the winter,-- mainly my Tour Easy
with front fairing (windscreen). My hands stick out from behind my
fairing a bit, so I use neoprene gloves. I wear heavy wool socks,
but my feet are behind the fairing and stay warm and dry.

Quoted message said:

I also need some suggestions for Fall and Spring when the
weather isn't quite as cold as December - March.

Simply adjust the layers, more/fewer, thicker/thinner.

My favorite sources for these layers are Campmor and Sierra
Trading Post (both available on-line). I don't generally go for bike-
specific clothing. I've also found Merino wool pull-overs and
fleece shirts on close-out at chain and local department stores.
Shop out of season. Campmor has an outlet in NJ, maybe
not too far for a day trip to bargain hunt...

Quoted message said:

[re: YNW]

We aren't in Kansas any more.... Toto's done his job to reveal
the little man behind the curtain. Ignore both him and his Oz
and the flying monkeys, too. There are no SPD-compatible red
slippers.

Jon Meinecke

"Jon Meinecke" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:1126631088.a98f649aca2ce18828c3f473ecc07219@teranews...

Quoted message said:

Since you have a "mixed-mode" commute, you may have
some "fashion" preferences, %^) -- i.e., do you want to ride
the train looking like a cyclist? What do you wear in the
summer?

I don't care what I look like on the train. Comfort is top priority. The
train will be well heated but the platform will not be. The 20 minute walk
from the train station to my office will also be outdoors.

I'm starting to get the idea that several light layers along with a shell if
needed is going to be the way to go. I think that from what I'm
understanding, the layer closest to my skin is going to be thin and tight so
that it pulls the moisture away from my skin.

I'll probably wimp out when there is snow on the ground but I'd like to be
able to ride on days when it is merely cold.

Thanks for the advice.

Jeff

Jeff,

First of all I live three miles outside of Evansville, Minnesota
between Fergus Falls and Alexandria. We're 85 miles from Fargo, but I
avoid Fargo at all costs!

I commute 7.4 miles to Ashby where I teach. I will commute til the
temp's get below about 10 degrees. This area is one hill after another
with lots of trees so winds off the prairie are not a problem like they
can be just 30 miles away. This area is gorgeous biking!

When we lived in Ashby (pop 465) I rode my MTB all winter long, but two
years ago we moved to the country so this will be my third winter
commuting to school.

Head: Below 40 I wear a balaclava. Below freezing I add additional
ear covers and wear downhill skiing goggles. I found the skiing
goggles made all the difference in the world.

Body: Thin layer, thin layer, thin layer, thin layer, thin layer, thin
layer, thin layer, thin layer!!!!!!!!!!!!! I start with a short sleeve
wicking T, long sleeve wicking T, thin wicking fleece sweater and then
a breathing shell. I found if I want to be wet, cold and clammy
Gore-Tex will not breath fast enough for me. I bought a Gore-Tex shell
a year ago thinking maybe they have worked out the problems but I still
was soaked after using it. Gore-Tex products are easy to sell though!
Besides it doesn't rain below freezing.

Legs: Below 40 I wear fall running tights. Below freezing I add fleece
tights and below 20 I will add a shell.

Shoes: I once rode in the winter on my MTB with boots until I slipped
off the pedals and ................... I then went to riding with my
SPD MTB shoes but my feet always got cold. For the past 6 years I have
been riding with my Shimano sandals with super thick SmartWool socks.
I used to use a silk sock and then wool socks but found my feet were
warmer with SmartWool socks. Too may socks can also make your feet cold
by compressing the insulation.

When it gets below freezing I add foam booties over the socks. I have
no problem with my feet being cold riding like this. I did buy a pair
of SealSkin socks but found the moisture could not escape and they
actually made my feet colder. YMMV. There are many on BROL and here
that also ride all winter with sandals and foam booties. The key is to
NOT compress the socks underneath the foam booties.

A biker over in Dalton that I met on the way to school a couple of
times last winter purchased a pair of MTB shoes that were made for
extremely cold weather but I don't remember the brand. He was shocked
to see me in sandals and booties that 20 degree day.

I find biking in the winter very stimulating!

Enjoy,

Perry B

Jeff Grippe said:

Hello All,

Preface:

Ed, I have no ability to exclude you from this thread but I would request
that you not contribute to it. As always you are free to do as you wish but
I have made my request.

Main Topic:

I have been commuting to the train station by Trike (3.5 miles to the
station, anywhere between 3.5 and 12 miles home depending on the route)
since June.

I would like to continue this throughout the winter. Does anyone have some
ideas on how to dress. The problems I foresee are:

1. Obviously I must keep warm

2. I tend to sweat when I ride. I don't want to freeze once I stop riding
because I'm all wet and now getting cold.

3. While I can bring along a change of clothes it is likely that I won't get
to change until I get to work and I have a 20 minute walk once I get off the
train.

4. I assume I'll need some sort of face protection for the coldest of days.

Any opinions from experienced winter riders (with one notable exception) are
welcome and appreciated.

I also need some suggestions for Fall and Spring when the weather isn't
quite as cold as December - March.

For those of you that don't know I live about 25 miles from New York City.

Thanks,

Jeff

"Jeff Grippe" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello All,

Preface:

Ed, I have no ability to exclude you from this thread but I would request
that you not contribute to it. As always you are free to do as you wish
but I have made my request.

Now that this thread has died and gone to hell, is it OK if I contribute to
it?

Quoted message said:

Main Topic:

I have been commuting to the train station by Trike (3.5 miles to the
station, anywhere between 3.5 and 12 miles home depending on the route)
since June.

I would like to continue this throughout the winter. Does anyone have some
ideas on how to dress. The problems I foresee are:

1. Obviously I must keep warm

2. I tend to sweat when I ride. I don't want to freeze once I stop riding
because I'm all wet and now getting cold.

3. While I can bring along a change of clothes it is likely that I won't
get to change until I get to work and I have a 20 minute walk once I get
off the train.

4. I assume I'll need some sort of face protection for the coldest of
days.

Any opinions from experienced winter riders (with one notable exception)
are welcome and appreciated.

Dress like an Eskimo and forget how you are going to look. Take it from
someone who has ridden a bike for 20 years in Minnesota winters. A fashion
plate you will never be. Besides, we humans all look like dorks anyway. The
only difference between us is that I look like a 150 lb. dork and you look
like a 250 lb. dork.

Sweat up a storm and be proud of it. There is nothing finer in this world
than being cold and clammy from sweat. I am that way all the time, winter or
summer. Try not to be such a sissy, why don't you?

--
Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota
aka
Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Jeff,

First of all I live three miles outside of Evansville, Minnesota
between Fergus Falls and Alexandria. We're 85 miles from Fargo, but I
avoid Fargo at all costs!

I commute 7.4 miles to Ashby where I teach. I will commute til the
temp's get below about 10 degrees. This area is one hill after another
with lots of trees so winds off the prairie are not a problem like they
can be just 30 miles away. This area is gorgeous biking!

When we lived in Ashby (pop 465) I rode my MTB all winter long, but two
years ago we moved to the country so this will be my third winter
commuting to school.

Head: Below 40 I wear a balaclava. Below freezing I add additional
ear covers and wear downhill skiing goggles. I found the skiing
goggles made all the difference in the world.

Body: Thin layer, thin layer, thin layer, thin layer, thin layer, thin
layer, thin layer, thin layer!!!!!!!!!!!!! I start with a short sleeve
wicking T, long sleeve wicking T, thin wicking fleece sweater and then
a breathing shell. I found if I want to be wet, cold and clammy
Gore-Tex will not breath fast enough for me. I bought a Gore-Tex shell
a year ago thinking maybe they have worked out the problems but I still
was soaked after using it. Gore-Tex products are easy to sell though!
Besides it doesn't rain below freezing.

Legs: Below 40 I wear fall running tights. Below freezing I add fleece
tights and below 20 I will add a shell.

Shoes: I once rode in the winter on my MTB with boots until I slipped
off the pedals and ................... I then went to riding with my
SPD MTB shoes but my feet always got cold. For the past 6 years I have
been riding with my Shimano sandals with super thick SmartWool socks.
I used to use a silk sock and then wool socks but found my feet were
warmer with SmartWool socks. Too may socks can also make your feet cold
by compressing the insulation.

When it gets below freezing I add foam booties over the socks. I have
no problem with my feet being cold riding like this. I did buy a pair
of SealSkin socks but found the moisture could not escape and they
actually made my feet colder. YMMV. There are many on BROL and here
that also ride all winter with sandals and foam booties. The key is to
NOT compress the socks underneath the foam booties.

A biker over in Dalton that I met on the way to school a couple of
times last winter purchased a pair of MTB shoes that were made for
extremely cold weather but I don't remember the brand. He was shocked
to see me in sandals and booties that 20 degree day.

Perry Butler of Alexandria, Minnesota does not have a clue about how to
dress for cycling in the winter time. I just about died laughing about his
solution to cold feet. Listen to this bozo and you will freeze to death.

The secret to riding a bike in the Minnesota winter is to dress like an
Eskimo. Anything less than that is nuts.

Thus spake Zarathustra!

--
Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota
aka
Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota

"Edward Dolan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Jeff Grippe" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello All,

Preface:

Ed, I have no ability to exclude you from this thread but I would request
that you not contribute to it. As always you are free to do as you wish
but I have made my request.

Now that this thread has died and gone to hell, is it OK if I contribute
to it?

If you're asking my permission, I have no authority to grant any. If you're
asking if I welcome you to this discussion the answer is no. That having
been said you go your own way as always.

Edward Dolan said:

Perry Butler of Alexandria, Minnesota does not have a clue about how to
dress for cycling in the winter time. I just about died laughing about his
solution to cold feet. Listen to this bozo and you will freeze to death.

The secret to riding a bike in the Minnesota winter is to dress like an
Eskimo. Anything less than that is nuts.

I am still waiting for the SPuD compatible Sorel Caribou [1].

I rode a bike (Peugeot P-8) to school in Wisconsin everyday back in the
early 1980's (pre global warming and the resulting more mild Midwestern
winters), and I just wore a windbreaker over a sweatshirt [2]. I never
had a problem staying warm as long as I covered my face and hands
properly. If I had worn a regular winter jacket I would have
overheated.

[1] <http://sorel.com/footwear/mens/NM1000.html>.
[2] On my upper body, so no smart remarks about not wearing pants!
--
Tom Sherman - Fox River Valley

Ah, nice to see another winter warrior! I ride on days so cold, the polar
bears hide. I dress like I'm goint out to ski - goggles and all. I ride a
two-headed mountain bike called the Hammer Head....

http://www.atomiczombie.com/book-bonanza.htm

Shown midway down the page. It is a blast to take it down the ski hill, or
pull a sled behind it. I normally prefer recumbents, but in the winter it's
nice to be up higher as gassers are not really looking for you.

Cheers!

My problem (suggestions and solutions are most welcome) is that I have a 3.5
mile ride followed by a 40 minute train ride in a well heated train,
followed by a 20 minute walk (back out in the elements). I almost always
sweat when I ride and if I can't quickly peel those layers I will certainly
sweat on the train. If I sweat a lot then my walk will be most unpleasent.
Same set of problems in reverse although I don't think sweat will be a
problem on the walk.

Thanks,

Jeff

PS

Very cool bikes...

Do you know anything about building velomobiles?

"PHQ" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Ah, nice to see another winter warrior! I ride on days so cold, the polar
bears hide. I dress like I'm goint out to ski - goggles and all. I ride a
two-headed mountain bike called the Hammer Head....

http://www.atomiczombie.com/book-bonanza.htm

Shown midway down the page. It is a blast to take it down the ski hill, or
pull a sled behind it. I normally prefer recumbents, but in the winter
it's
nice to be up higher as gassers are not really looking for you.

Cheers!

"Jeff Grippe" <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

My problem (suggestions and solutions are most welcome) is that I have
a 3.5 mile ride followed by a 40 minute train ride in a well heated
train, followed by a 20 minute walk (back out in the elements). I
almost always sweat when I ride and if I can't quickly peel those
layers I will certainly sweat on the train. If I sweat a lot then my
walk will be most unpleasent. Same set of problems in reverse although
I don't think sweat will be a problem on the walk.

Thanks,

Jeff

PS

Very cool bikes...

Do you know anything about building velomobiles?

"PHQ" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Ah, nice to see another winter warrior! I ride on days so cold, the
polar bears hide. I dress like I'm goint out to ski - goggles and
all. I ride a two-headed mountain bike called the Hammer Head....

http://www.atomiczombie.com/book-bonanza.htm

Shown midway down the page. It is a blast to take it down the ski
hill, or pull a sled behind it. I normally prefer recumbents, but in
the winter it's
nice to be up higher as gassers are not really looking for you.

Cheers!

I see! Wouldn't want to haul a large trike onto the train.

Thanks - building bikes is a damn fun hobby. I am working on 2
velomobiles right now - a VERY low fast delta trike, and a sociable
(side by side) tadpole (2 front wheels) trike.

Brad

"ATZ" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I see! Wouldn't want to haul a large trike onto the train.

Actually, I wouldn't mind at all. There are elevators to get to the train
platform and elevators to get out of Grand Central Station (although that
last part is a bit tricky). I could even probably find a place to park it at
work. It is the railroad that doesn't want me to haul the large trike.

While I consider myself to have given up upright riding and for the most
part given up two wheel vehicles, I would consider going back to two wheels
if it meant I could get it on the train.

Maybe if I got really good at folding the Greenspeed GT3 and got some sort
of a luggage cart for it I could sneak it on the train in its folded state.
I still think that if I did it every day, the railroad would complain.

Being able to take a vehicle on the train would be great.

Jeff

Jeff Grippe said:

...
Maybe if I got really good at folding the Greenspeed GT3 and got some sort
of a luggage cart for it I could sneak it on the train in its folded state.
I still think that if I did it every day, the railroad would complain.

Being able to take a vehicle on the train would be great.

See <http://rrbike.freeservers.com/>. 😉
--
Tom Sherman - Fox River Valley
"Great Ford!
yawl smelling your clivus? pew!
a unique event
or transient actionable intelligence?
unclog!" - G. Daniels