Comment 36802

By LL (registered) - website | Posted January 06, 2010 at 23:10:30

Kenneth:

I'm telling you: nylon balaclava ("ninjaclava") underneath the helmet (or toque). It doesn't sound like much, but it works pro. You can get them at crappy tire or mountain equipment capitalists. On really cold or windy days, the neoprine mask and ski goggles go on and my whole head/neck area is encased except for breathing vents.

What I'm saying is synthetic fibres are a far better use of petroleum than gasoline. A good windbreaker or a good thick windcutter fleece, ski gloves, tights under shorts or rain pants (jeans pull at my knees). I dont even feel the cold even down to -30 with windchill.

Some bad news: I've just been doing some budgeting and I don't know if the studded tires are going to get a go this winter. Maybe in February or March.

Some general thoughts: I was riding to work the other day. It was a nice, still day. I was having a great time - exercise and transport all in one low cost activity. It takes me 15 min. to ride to work. I was watching people leave for work the whole time. A lot of people spent 15 min. just scraping and shovelling for their drive. A long distance, exurban commuter probably spends almost as much time outside on windy corners pumping gas than I do riding. Sucks to be them.

I love riding in the winter! You can go all out and barely break a sweat. No smog. No allergies. No sunburn.

Oh well. It'll catch on in time. The advantages of bicycle commuting are too obvious to succumb to cultural bias. Plus the economic structure - Fordism - that created that culture is a thing of the past. Plus peak oil is gonna bite.

Permalink | Context

Events Calendar

There are no upcoming events right now.
Why not post one?

Recent Articles

Article Archives

Blog Archives

Site Tools

Feeds