11-29-2017, 06:58 PM
(11-29-2017, 02:39 PM)chutten Wrote: My bicycle is a bog-standard hybrid (tyres are wider than a city bike, narrower than a mountain bike) with no special equipment. Cables run under the frame, and I've had to have them replaced once because they'd stretched so far one snapped. My chain is somewhat angry with my decision to winter-bike, so I ply it with lubricant and frequent cleanings. I have a bright headlight on the handlebars and a red blinker under the seat.
For my own self, a balaclava keeps my ears and neck warm as well as keeping my breath moist so my lungs don't hurt, an old ski mask keeps the wind from blowing in my eyes, and I double-layer my gloves since my fingers are stuck way out there in the cold. I only have to survive a 25min bike, so it's not too bad. I'm often too warm in my torso and rather cold in the fingers, though, and I wonder if I should invest in some sort of battery-powered heated gloves or something.
Love all of this and it's the same for me!
I put away my bike last November and thought "Well, that's it I guess" and then after about 3 weeks I thought "Wait, why am I not riding again?" and gave it a shot. Realized that there was absolutely no reason to not ride in the winter, and absolutely fell in love with those perfectly clear -10C days with the sun bright in the sky and the crisp snow crunching under my tires! It's bliss, it really is.
Many of the trails are ploughed here, too - which is just wonderful.
One of my coworkers said that biking the Cambridge to Paris trail in the winter is an unforgettable experience - I look forward to giving it a try on one of those perfect winter days!