tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post1414396431424651254..comments2024-03-18T23:52:31.939-04:00Comments on The Invisible Visible Man: A frozen water bottle, a crisis of identity - and why winter cycling keeps winning me backInvisible Manhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15942359504874275065noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-57236689280152938422016-02-27T08:58:03.478-05:002016-02-27T08:58:03.478-05:00One way I've gotten more riding days in is by ...One way I've gotten more riding days in is by having two bikes, one with studded tires. That takes care of ice. Deep snow is another story. Actively heated glove liners (available on cozywinters.com) are perfect for those really cold days. Also balaclava and ski goggles. Make sure no skin is showing. I let my hair grow in winter to form a liner for the balaclava.plhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04045448481756123678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-87143716693892560662014-02-14T14:55:45.777-05:002014-02-14T14:55:45.777-05:00I love my coaster brakes. They are becoming less p...I love my coaster brakes. They are becoming less popular here in Sweden lately though, not always easy to find the right components. Super popular Copenhagen and Netherlands though.<br /><br />As for the joys of riding, I agree with that. Albeit this winter has seen mostly dreary fall-type weather and I'm not a big fan of that. The few days of "real winter" we've seen have been great though :-)<br /><br />But there are indications of spring now, soon one can really start to enjoy every ride :-)Dimohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09023326917125840723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-51337862016101882692014-02-14T13:38:30.301-05:002014-02-14T13:38:30.301-05:00Dmitri,
The coaster brake is a very continental E...Dmitri,<br /><br />The coaster brake is a very continental European thing, I think. We don't go in for that kind of thing much here in these United States. As for the vaseline, the grease I use is pretty similar to vaseline, but thinner. Frankly, this is a mechanical problem that appears to kick in below around -10C when there's a severe wind chill, so it' not really a dealbreaker. The lubricant seems to be good at keeping water out of the cable - that's a much bigger issue.<br /><br />Anyway, the key thing, I think, is to focus on the joys of being on a bicycle in a great city. The two days I managed to ride this week were superb - light twinkling off the Empire State Building, little whisps of steam rising into the air. I hope it's as nice for you in Stockholm.<br /><br />Invisible.Invisible Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15942359504874275065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-20177174403405861462014-02-14T10:13:09.794-05:002014-02-14T10:13:09.794-05:00I've heard stories of people around here havin...I've heard stories of people around here having their cables frozen as well. <br /><br />Someone suggested vaseline, might be worth a try.<br /><br />Personally I just use a coaster brake, front brake and no gears (internal gears can work well too). But of course that depends on what kind of bike you have.<br /><br />Dimohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09023326917125840723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-955503762963659442014-02-14T10:03:24.457-05:002014-02-14T10:03:24.457-05:00Jonathan and/or Dmitri,
It wasn't the chain l...Jonathan and/or Dmitri,<br /><br />It wasn't the chain lube that froze up - it was the grease I'd applied inside the cable housing for the rear mech. It wasn't unrideable - it just became very sluggish. The reason to use the grease as the lube in the cable is that it's very good at keeping out water, which is the real, long-term enemy of that bit of equipment. I'm coping. It's definitely not that that's stopping me riding the days I don't. I rode on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. There was lots of fresh snow on the streets on Monday and there was a huge dump of snow on Thursday, so I'm fitting in riding as and when I can.<br /><br />All the best,<br /><br />Invisible.Invisible Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15942359504874275065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-18173926100624753772014-02-13T16:19:04.195-05:002014-02-13T16:19:04.195-05:00I cycled all winter (both this winter and last win...I cycled all winter (both this winter and last winter, when we had -15C for days at a time) and only applied standard lube to my chain when it got a bit warmer and it started squeaking. Same for my girlfriend who rides 13km to work every day.<br /><br />The key is just using a single speed, no gears no problem.<br /><br />Freezing chains sounds to me like a bad excuse not to ride ;-)Dimohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09023326917125840723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-6961345723424675172014-02-13T15:27:57.026-05:002014-02-13T15:27:57.026-05:00Try automatic transmission fluid as chain lube. I ...Try automatic transmission fluid as chain lube. I have been using it and it doesn't freeze up.Jonathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08520811734907587902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-28555764760150030082014-02-08T06:28:21.266-05:002014-02-08T06:28:21.266-05:00Ridung in the presence of snow and ice casts me ba...Ridung in the presence of snow and ice casts me back into the 70s and early 80s, when cycling in the city in any weather<br />was seen as a daredevil act. The current condtions mean more riding in traffic, ss the bike lane signs seem to be code for "Deposit Snow Here."<br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10849308462910119477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-15399246772998763992014-02-07T11:17:28.943-05:002014-02-07T11:17:28.943-05:00Anonymous,
The problem with Citibike is that the ...Anonymous,<br /><br />The problem with Citibike is that the nearest station (at Atlantic Avenue) is a good mile into my five-mile commute. Also, a colleague crashed on one on Thursday in Manhattan, so they're not risk-free in these conditions.<br /><br />I rode to work today for the first time since I wrote the piece (and took your advice about using the Manhattan Bridge). It was OK - but I had to take the lane a lot and there are plenty of drivers that think it's their inalienable right to reach the end of the traffic jam in front before I do. The worst was a taxi driver that undertook me on Smith Street to get to a traffic jam. It was mad.<br /><br />Anyway, I managed to ride today and will ride to a meeting later on. How things will go during and after the coming weekend's snow I don't know.<br /><br />All the best,<br /><br />Invisble.Invisible Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15942359504874275065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-63040722765728472112014-02-06T21:08:18.233-05:002014-02-06T21:08:18.233-05:00Invisible,
Have you tried using Citibike on the ha...Invisible,<br />Have you tried using Citibike on the harsher days? It has the advantage of fat tires, will lower your centre of gravity a bit due to the weight, and gives you the option of only cycling in one direction if the weather turns out worse than expected. It also gives you the option of docking, running a mile or so through any really tough parts, and then cycling again. Plus you avoid ruining your own bike in the salt.<br />I've managed to cycle commute each day so far this year, from Park Slope to midtown. I use my road bike on days when there's no ice and little salt around, and Citibike on other days. A couple of the snowstorms have been difficult, but if you find a nice fresh car tyre track to follow then it's generally ok, and traffic is usually very quiet on those days so it's pretty safe. <br />If you have the choice, I've found they are more efficient at ploughing the Manhattan bridge than Brooklyn Bridge. Only once did I turn up when it was impassable, and after struggling for 30 seconds I turned round to see a plough approaching to clear the way...<br />Safe cycling!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-29199154131350302272014-02-04T17:51:56.350-05:002014-02-04T17:51:56.350-05:00For the fifth year I have been using studded tyres...For the fifth year I have been using studded tyres throughout our british Mancunian winter albeit this one is extremely mild, so far. Not a patch of ice. It has been so mild that the studs on my back wheel (second season) have stopped being vertical and the inner circular flat base of the studs have been scratching the innertube so I replaced the worn studded tyre with a new one.<br /><br />But apart from that I have no complaints about using studded Schwalbe Marathon Winter tyres. They make a noise similar to a bowl of Rice Krispies but that reminds you that they are there to do the job they are designed for. <br /><br />You do not need to take them off and on. They work just as well on regular dry tarmac as they do on sheet ice. <br /><br />The reason I have encountered the problem with my back wheel is because of the weight. I use pannier bags to carry my work clothes and I run the tyres at the full 85psi on a hybrid bicycle with 700 or 28" tyres so the pressure is greater than on the mountain bikes 26" tyres I used to cycle upon where I had no issues. <br /><br />I secretly wish for ice and snow so I can test them to their fullest. When I needed them they have never let me down.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02707368851838068944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-82404666129877132992014-02-04T17:47:10.393-05:002014-02-04T17:47:10.393-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02707368851838068944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-9477161354446896222014-02-04T15:21:15.378-05:002014-02-04T15:21:15.378-05:00Only 104F? I have commuted in 110F many times with...Only 104F? I have commuted in 110F many times with a full-face BMX helmet on. Worst was coming home from a friend 70 miles away with 145F air temperatures on the roads (substantially cooler 20-30 feet off the road). I had to seek medical attention for that trip before making it home. The water in my bottles was hot enough to brew tea that day...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-76656927944887383762014-02-04T10:46:49.310-05:002014-02-04T10:46:49.310-05:00The best thing about having studded tyres on your ...The best thing about having studded tyres on your bike in the winter season is that you never have to think about whether you should ride or not. <br />Looking out the window becomes about choosing what to wear, not whether to ride or not.<br />Dimohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09023326917125840723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-76491004739447543642014-02-04T09:33:41.389-05:002014-02-04T09:33:41.389-05:00James,
You are a lucky man indeed - and, by the s...James,<br /><br />You are a lucky man indeed - and, by the sounds of the weather you're experiencing, a lucky man who doesn't live in New York City.<br /><br />All the best,<br /><br />Invisible.Invisible Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15942359504874275065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-87623833869254119462014-02-04T08:34:34.835-05:002014-02-04T08:34:34.835-05:00After experiencing, pretty much word-for-word, the...After experiencing, pretty much word-for-word, the feelings you describe above, I decided yesterday to try studded tires (http://www.amazon.com/Schwalbe-700X40-Marathon-Winter/dp/B00AQJ9IRG).<br /><br />I'll report my experiences as soon as I can get them on the bike.<br /><br />But part of me fears there will be no more snow once I receive and mount them, and I'll have to wait another 10 months.<br /><br />From what I've read, the spikes should help with ice, and the thread blocks should provide traction in the snow. And on regular pavement they will just be slower and noisier. (see http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/studdedtires.asp)@sdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17231296856986943585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-60908723855769588612014-02-04T06:15:56.868-05:002014-02-04T06:15:56.868-05:00Last spring I made the swap from a cross-country b...Last spring I made the swap from a cross-country bike to a road bike and having had issues with the ice I this year made a decision to instead of taking my direct route to/from work to instead take a far more busy route where the volume of traffic will have melted any snow/ice/frost. Fortunately for me, aside from two days of heavy frost there has been no issues with ice on the road so it hasn't been a problem. My studded tyres lie impotently on my bike stuff shelf, with my shorts seeing far more action then them.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919999537535791430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-10172428415059756262014-02-04T06:12:42.724-05:002014-02-04T06:12:42.724-05:00Also, some of them have the studds positioned so i...Also, some of them have the studds positioned so if the tyre is fully inflated then the studs do not touch the road, so for clear conditions, but then you lower the pressure on snowy/icy days and the studs start to purchase.<br />The best explaination of them I've heard is "Riding on ice is like walking on an ice rink, it isn't too bad if you go in a straight line and you can build up quite a speed without getting into difficulty, it is just stopping or changing direction where things go awry. Riding with studdied tyres is the same, only someone has put some sand down on the ice, yes if you try and turn/brake too hard then you will have issues but you have more leeway."Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919999537535791430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-29681331508538163252014-02-03T23:50:49.670-05:002014-02-03T23:50:49.670-05:00Nacnud,
I've ridden a couple of times in temp...Nacnud,<br /><br />I've ridden a couple of times in temperatures of just about 40C - most recently last (northern hemisphere) summer. I described some of that heatwave's effects here: http://invisiblevisibleman.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-heatwave-and-urban-nature-it-lets.html But I generally find hot such as you're experiencing far more unpleasant than cold. I can wrap up warm when it's -15C and guard against it. It's tough to cope with 40C.<br /><br />So you have my full sympathy.<br /><br />I hope climate change is reversed, Australia becomes a little less prone to such big, extreme heatwaves and sanity generally prevails.<br /><br />I'm not sure the Abbott government will be a big contributor to such a process, however.<br /><br />All the best,<br /><br />Invisible.Invisible Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15942359504874275065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-78134324383205487532014-02-03T23:46:42.127-05:002014-02-03T23:46:42.127-05:00It's a point of pride here, Steve, to have kep...It's a point of pride here, Steve, to have kept riding even when the air was freeze-drying the water in one's bottle. But I'm sure I'm a relative neophyte compared with anyone riding in Chicago or - though I shudder even to think about it - Manitoba.<br /><br />All the best,<br /><br />Invsible.Invisible Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15942359504874275065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-82012319893794219202014-02-03T23:44:40.491-05:002014-02-03T23:44:40.491-05:00QMacrocarpa,
When people were first suggesting st...QMacrocarpa,<br /><br />When people were first suggesting studded tyres this morning, I was slightly dimissive. However, on my subway journey to work this morning I got stuck underground for a good half an hour because of a fire on the track ahead. Then, on the way home, I had a similar delay because someone pulled the emergency brake. So I'm growing desperate. I'll let you know if it leads to purchase of a pair of studded tyres.<br /><br />As for the hands problem, I guess my fundamental issue is that I don't mind actual cold all that much. I wear a pair of full-finger Altura gloves. My hands certainly get cold (sometimes numb) but I never find it cripplingly cold.<br /><br />I will have a nasty, rasping cough until about March however.<br /><br />Maybe others have better ideas to keep those digits warm.<br /><br />I hope you find a solution soon.<br /><br />All the best,<br /><br />Invisible.Invisible Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15942359504874275065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-29053142924440913262014-02-03T21:22:07.750-05:002014-02-03T21:22:07.750-05:00Exactly the opposite problem here in Adelaide, Aus...Exactly the opposite problem here in Adelaide, Australia. Over 40 C (104 F) nearly every day for the last week. My 8 km return ride home (all uphill) has been of a 'character building' nature. <br />What's 'snow', by the way?Nacnudnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-7725810952734982132014-02-03T11:18:14.454-05:002014-02-03T11:18:14.454-05:00I only had the water freeze once on my commute in ...I only had the water freeze once on my commute in North Texas. It became a point of pride. I imagine it less so in places like Manitoba.Steve Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13650405341304401203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-10527068532522683892014-02-03T10:46:24.877-05:002014-02-03T10:46:24.877-05:00Icy roads keep me from cycling (I'm skittish a...Icy roads keep me from cycling (I'm skittish after a fall while biking resulted in a shoulder injury), but my other problem in winter is keeping my hands warm. Mittens don't seem to allow the dexterity I need, and gloves let my fingers freeze. I don't like the idea of chemical handwarmers much, but would be interested in other clever ideas. Fortunately, I can do my essential errands on foot (I have some of the ice-grabbing things you put on your shoes for when walking is slippery).<br /><br />If you do try studded tires (and I've heard good things about them), remember that icy surfaces will still be slippery to your feet whenever you put them down (I heard this tip from a studded-tire-user).QMacrocarpanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3002171964909690430.post-1470165136922865832014-02-03T10:00:31.028-05:002014-02-03T10:00:31.028-05:00Speaking of Stockholm, check out some of the photo...Speaking of Stockholm, check out some of the photos below, this year is the first year this new snow clearing machine for cycle tracks has been used in Stockholm. Even I'm jealous because that machine is mostly used outside the city limits on larger tracks ;-)<br /><br />https://twitter.com/search?q=%23vintercykla&src=typd&mode=photos<br /><br /><br />https://twitter.com/velonoir/status/425604017340051456<br />https://twitter.com/KristerIsaksson/status/424936573507878912<br />https://twitter.com/DrUEriksson/status/423134596897996800<br />https://twitter.com/perkovich/status/409959420991635456<br />Dimohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09023326917125840723noreply@blogger.com