| Ride Stats |
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Distance:
19.79 km
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Time: 01:05:42
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Avg Speed:
18.07 km/h
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Max Speed:
35.14 km/h
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Avg Cadence: 74 rpm
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Route:
Home to Work
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Category: general: commute -
solo
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Temp:
Min: -17
Max: -15
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Terrain: Road: Flat
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Bike: Giant Boulder SE XC Mtn
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Club: Flatlanders Bicycle Club |
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Distance:
19.90 km
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Time: 01:04:32
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Avg Speed:
18.29 km/h
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Max Speed:
36.50 km/h
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Avg Cadence: 74 rpm
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Route:
Work to Home
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Category: general: commute -
solo
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Temp:
Avg: -6
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Terrain: Road: Flat
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Bike: Giant Boulder SE XC Mtn
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Club: Flatlanders Bicycle Club |
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With the temps dropping to around -16.8°C this morning (2°F) I figured it was a good time to assess my riding equipment for effectiveness.. it's going to get a lot colder shortly.
Bike: Excellent
- This was a barely used Giant Mountain Bike that I picked up very cheaply. Upgrades have included a longer seatpost, softer brake pads and used Schwalbe Ice Spiker tires (kindy donated by OlleBear). So far everything has worked out extrememly well.
Headgear: Good
- So far I've been using a light balaclava under my helmet (which also has a rain cover on it to block the wind) to good effect. I think as it gets colder I may need to upgrade to a heavier balaclava. Might need to consider some form of goggles too that can go over my glasses.
Core: Excellent
- I've got some mil-spec long underwear that are fantastic; they wick the moisture away from your skin and have great insulation value. Depending on the temp I'll use different intermediate layers; on today's ride it was a thin wool sweater which may have actually been too warm. Outer layer is a basic wind/rain jacket from MEC that works very well; I've been keeping the underarm zippers open so far to let the excess heat and moisture out.
Legs: Excellent
- Once again I've got the long underwear as a base; over that I wear some cycling shorts and then MEC cycling pants (they don't sell this model anymore, but they would be similar to the "Adanac" pants with a looser fit). If things get colder I can likely add an intermediate layer of some sort.
Feet: Good
- I had problems with this earlier but seem to have found a combo that will work. Once again layers is the key. I start with polyproplene sock liners, wool socks (different thicknesses depending on the temp), hiking boots (with thinsulate) and then MEC shoe covers. So far so good. I'm making some heavier toe covers from old insulated rubber galoshes that I have lying around that I hope will work for colder temps.
Hands: Bad
- I've tried a number of combinations and have so far found nothing that has worked for me. Even temps just below freezing give me trouble after about the 50 minute mark of riding. I think the problem is likely that my hands are sweating which then degrates the insulation in the gloves.. which then become chilled. Using similar layering techniques to my boots has not worked.. am going to purchase some bike "pogies" tonight and hope that does the trick or it might mean the end to my winter cycling activities.
Today's ride is dedicated to PamsyPalmetto's Croix Rouge day; hoping those cyclists that have been injured or are ill will recover soon and get back to what they love to do most.. ride!
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