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I ride between 6 and 12 miles to work every day depending on the route that I take (and how early I got up), and I often do 20-30 miles on the way home because I don't really need to be anywhere by a certain time. I ride whether it's -20* outside, the roads are icy, or it's snowing or raining. So far this year the only thing that got me to leave the bike at home was 30+mph sustained winds with 50-60mph gusts and icy roads. But I have people stopping me on the road all the time and asking if I need a ride due to temperature, snow, or rain, and it cracks me up. By the time I've put in 5 miles I'm feeling godd and just don't want to get off.
Two weeks ago we had a 15* morning with the first 2-3" of snow of the season. I added fleece mid-layer on top, chose a pair of winter gloves, and worn my winter Bontrager RL's with eight #6 sheetmetal screws in each sole, but otherwise all I wore was a pair of Pearl Izumi AMFib tights and a mid-weight Mountain Hardwear jacket. I didn't even bother to swap to my extra set of Nokian-shod wheels.
I took the 6 mile route to work and passed about 100 cars lined up in both lanes of the highway waiting to get on the freeway. Once I was on the frontage road that leads most of the way to work I passed several hundred cars that were "parked" on the freeway due to the numerous accidents, and I passed at least a dozen cars, trucks, SUVs and commercial trucks that were off the road in ditches. Then I passed one of my co-workers who was stuck in gridlock about three mile from work, and he eventually arrived at work over an hour after I did. That evening several of my co-workers asked me if I "needed" a ride home, after most of the snow and ice had melted and the temperature had risen to about 30*. They all seemed amazed that I didn't.....
Last night it was 30* when I headed out for home and I had a guy (who I had never met before) pass me in a pickup, stop (and then wait for me) to offer me a ride because it was so "cold". I actually apologized for not needing a ride and went back on my way. Then I stopped at a Burger King to get a Whopper and another customer offered to give me a ride! Man, it was only 30* and the roads were all clear. I had a beautiful ride!
It really made me think though. Why are people so surprised to see someone riding a bike in those conditions just for the simple fun of it? Growing up we went out of our way to ride in those same conditions while we were on vacation.
I'm curious though, there have to be other riders on this forum that really enjoy riding in challenging conditions and do it regularly. So what's up? When are conditions so bad that you absolutely will not go for a ride and why? Anyone?
Two weeks ago we had a 15* morning with the first 2-3" of snow of the season. I added fleece mid-layer on top, chose a pair of winter gloves, and worn my winter Bontrager RL's with eight #6 sheetmetal screws in each sole, but otherwise all I wore was a pair of Pearl Izumi AMFib tights and a mid-weight Mountain Hardwear jacket. I didn't even bother to swap to my extra set of Nokian-shod wheels.
I took the 6 mile route to work and passed about 100 cars lined up in both lanes of the highway waiting to get on the freeway. Once I was on the frontage road that leads most of the way to work I passed several hundred cars that were "parked" on the freeway due to the numerous accidents, and I passed at least a dozen cars, trucks, SUVs and commercial trucks that were off the road in ditches. Then I passed one of my co-workers who was stuck in gridlock about three mile from work, and he eventually arrived at work over an hour after I did. That evening several of my co-workers asked me if I "needed" a ride home, after most of the snow and ice had melted and the temperature had risen to about 30*. They all seemed amazed that I didn't.....
Last night it was 30* when I headed out for home and I had a guy (who I had never met before) pass me in a pickup, stop (and then wait for me) to offer me a ride because it was so "cold". I actually apologized for not needing a ride and went back on my way. Then I stopped at a Burger King to get a Whopper and another customer offered to give me a ride! Man, it was only 30* and the roads were all clear. I had a beautiful ride!
It really made me think though. Why are people so surprised to see someone riding a bike in those conditions just for the simple fun of it? Growing up we went out of our way to ride in those same conditions while we were on vacation.
I'm curious though, there have to be other riders on this forum that really enjoy riding in challenging conditions and do it regularly. So what's up? When are conditions so bad that you absolutely will not go for a ride and why? Anyone?
