Winter....anyone.

max

In article
<rcousine-0888FF.16050729012008@[74.223.185.199.nw.nuvox.net]>,
Ryan Cousineau <rcousine@sfu.ca> wrote:

> In article <s2enp39fsfinj5u7i7ujgn9kpghflpjupj@4ax.com>,
> Andrew Price <ajprice@free.fr> wrote:
>
> > On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 14:29:43 -0800, tkeats2005@ehotmail.com (Tom
> > Keats) wrote:
> >
> > >Just as there are various kinds of rockets,
> > >there are various kinds of COLD.
> > >
> > >I opine the PNW kind of COLD is among
> > >the most miserable.
> >
> > Why ?
>
> It's wet.

it's -19C in chicagoland this morning. brrr. Yesterday it was 9.5C
(-2F, 49F) It is a dry cold. . .

What i will hear at work:

1) Did you ride this morning (x4) (yes)
2) yer crazy (x2) (yes)
3) isn't it cold (x3) (meh)
4) no way i'd ever do that (x2) (sigh)

This seems like a good time to pimp my silicon carbide studded Nokian
Extreme 294 26" tires. 294 SiC studs per wheel. *Indominitable* on ice,
like my own personal superpower: I fear no winter hazard (they're
nothing special in snow >5", but there ya go, and anyway, that's why g-d
blessed us with bicycle snow plow guy).

And they only take twice the power to stoke, so now my pants don't fit
due to my bulging ripply quads.

..max

--
The part of betatron @ earthlink . net was played by a garden gnome

Mike Latondresse

Ryan Cousineau <rcousine@sfu.ca> wrote in news:rcousine-
617623.16045629012008@[74.223.185.199.nw.nuvox.net]:

> I am still struggling with an
> effective footwear solution, which is my real bugbear. I have tried
> neoprene boot covers, and found them strangely ineffective. It may have
> been too tight; I shall try the next size up. If anyone has a
> recommendation for a really weather-resistant cycling shoe (or maybe
> magic socks), let me know.
>

Get the MEC neoprene in the largest size you can (XXXL) and they work a
treat.

Jym Dyer

> As for Vancouver, buying a set of MEC's neoprene cycling/
> paddling gloves has solved my cold-hand issues.

=v= I also want to give props to Pearl Izumi's "lobster claw"
gloves, which got me through some Chicago and Omaha winters!

> I have tried neoprene boot covers, and found them strangely
> ineffective.

=v= Same here. They wear down much too fast!
<_Jym_>

Tom Keats

In article <rcousine-617623.16045629012008@[74.223.185.199.nw.nuvox.net]>,
Ryan Cousineau <rcousine@sfu.ca> writes:

> The very worst is the classic 1 C and raining that is so common in
> Vancouver.

I've never understood that particular odium.

To me, that it's not freezing is a good thing.

That it's raining is just ... usual and normal.

If the streets are ice-free, I'm happier than
a kitten in a dairy.

Having to stand still @ 1C in the rain (e.g: waiting
for a bus) is horrid. But being able to move around
readily obviates and obliviates all the discomforts.


cheers,
Tom

--
Nothing is safe from me.
I'm really at:
tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca

Ryan Cousineau

In article <5d04of.go3.ln@vcn.bc.ca>,
tkeats2005@hotmail.com (Tom Keats) wrote:

> In article <rcousine-617623.16045629012008@[74.223.185.199.nw.nuvox.net]>,
> Ryan Cousineau <rcousine@sfu.ca> writes:
>
> > The very worst is the classic 1 C and raining that is so common in
> > Vancouver.
>
> I've never understood that particular odium.
>
> To me, that it's not freezing is a good thing.
>
> That it's raining is just ... usual and normal.
>
> If the streets are ice-free, I'm happier than
> a kitten in a dairy.
>
> Having to stand still @ 1C in the rain (e.g: waiting
> for a bus) is horrid. But being able to move around
> readily obviates and obliviates all the discomforts.

The not-ice is, of course, the best feature, but what I find is that
after a couple of hours of riding, such conditions contribute to a
painful coldness. The big issue is that once you get water intrusion to
your skin (or soaked clothing), you start losing heat really fast.

The problem there is that I think the gear for dealing with dry cold
conditions is pretty good at dealing with dry cold conditions, but the
gear for dealing with wet cool conditions is much more prone to
problems: leaks, gaps, general failure.

--
Ryan Cousineau rcousine@gmail.com http://www.wiredcola.com/
"In other newsgroups, they killfile trolls."
"In rec.bicycles.racing, we coach them."

John Kane

On Feb 3, 4:09 am, tkeats2...@hotmail.com (Tom Keats) wrote:
> In article <rcousine-617623.16045629012008@[74.223.185.199.nw.nuvox.net]>,
> Ryan Cousineau <rcous...@sfu.ca> writes:
>
> > The very worst is the classic 1 C and raining that is so common in
> > Vancouver.
>
> I've never understood that particular odium.
>
> To me, that it's not freezing is a good thing.
>
> That it's raining is just ... usual and normal.
>
> If the streets are ice-free, I'm happier than
> a kitten in a dairy.
>
> Having to stand still @ 1C in the rain (e.g: waiting
> for a bus) is horrid. But being able to move around
> readily obviates and obliviates all the discomforts.
>
> cheers,
> Tom

We don't get the +/- 1 C and rain that much here but I tend to agree
that it's worse than reasonably cold weather say -5 or -10. Much more
chance of unexpected ice and and the chance of getting wet and very
cold very fast is much higher.

Of course you need to realise that a winter rider here does not
normally dress for wet weather.

Dane Buson

In rec.bicycles.misc Ryan Cousineau <rcousine@sfu.ca> wrote:

> If anyone has a recommendation for a really weather-resistant cycling
> shoe (or maybe magic socks), let me know.

Mec has the Exustar E-SM450 Cold Weather Cycling Shoes which are what I
use. If you are in a total downpour they will soak water in through the
neoprene 'sock' at top, but in normal rains they work a treat.

I've been spoiled by their ridiculously firm sole, which I miss when I
shift back to regular MTB/commuter shoes.

--
Dane Buson - sigdane@unixbigots.org
'You know all those spasticated-looking hip-hop gestures involving
extended fingers and wrists cocked at odd angles which are intended to
have a meaning to the effect of "Kinoath!" or "You have spoken wisely,
my friend."? I'm making one in your direction now...' Marko in aus.moto