basscyclist thread picture thread

[fdeck]

I've had different approaches to rain over the years. For some time, I kept rain gear permanently in my bike basket. (A non folding Wald side basket attached to the rear rack). That was pretty extreme, given that I rarely used it.

Knowing that I can hop on my bike and head out without even looking at the weather forecast or planning what gear I'd need for given conditions, is one of the things that helped me make bike commuting a habit.

But over time, being outside a lot, you begin to develop a sense of the local climate and weather conditions. For instance, I can tell if I'm going to have a 1/2 hour time slot before it actually starts to rain in earnest. These days I keep my weather gear organized at home, so I can grab it if needed.

My gear is general purpose: A rain jacket and rain pants. I carry the same gear when hiking, or just being outdoors in the rain. During the summer, I ride in sandals and bring my "work" shoes in a plastic bag. Work requires shoes for safety reasons.

The difficult season is from March to May, when it's quite cold in the morning, but can warm up in the afternoon. Then I have to strategize a bit, typically making sure I've got a way to bring the extra layers back home.

 

[Toptube]

This is a peek at my winter/cold and wet riding gear.

It really doesn't take much to keep you warm while riding. Cover your head well. Light under layer on legs. Light underlayer up top, with wool jersey over that, with windbreaker/rain jacket or regular jersey over that. Winter gloves with plenty of flex. I like Ice Armor gloves a whole lot for that purpose. Extra cold (less than 20F) means silk liners in gloves and a Head gator to keep neck, face, ears extra warm.

Flat pedals and insulated shoes. I have some felt lined shoes from Sorel. single pair of Alpaca wool socks.

Giro ski helmet.

put hot-ish water in your camelback.

11F is when your boogers freeze. And that's time to stay inside.

 

[fokof]

For rain , I leave a jacket/pant kit at work just in case I don't check the weather when getting back home.

Having a "Showbizz" schedule , I sometimes do 12/18 hours a day.
(do you remember a thing called "show" ? )

 

[RNG1]

I love Endura stuff not cheap but I think it's the best

 

[bassville pete]

Out at the fishing port. Didn't bring my fishing stuff though.

 

[elgecko]

I took my new burrito bag out on a ride to see what riding with a load was like. It was only 10 extra pounds but I'm definitely going to readjust my expected mileage when I add the saddle bag and try my hand at actual bikepacking. I also wonder what riding technical terrain with a load is like.

 

[Toptube]

I took my new burrito bag out on a ride to see what riding with a load was like. It was only 10 extra pounds but I'm definitely going to readjust my expected mileage when I add the saddle bag and try my hand at actual bikepacking. I also wonder what riding technical terrain with a load is like.

View attachment 4161682

That's looks dagerous

 

[elgecko]

That's looks dagerous

The cow or the bag?

 

[RNG1]

Finally using this fat bike after the 20+" of snow NJ got...

 

[DirtDog]

I've had different approaches to rain over the years. For some time, I kept rain gear permanently in my bike basket. (A non folding Wald side basket attached to the rear rack). That was pretty extreme, given that I rarely used it.

Knowing that I can hop on my bike and head out without even looking at the weather forecast or planning what gear I'd need for given conditions, is one of the things that helped me make bike commuting a habit.

But over time, being outside a lot, you begin to develop a sense of the local climate and weather conditions. For instance, I can tell if I'm going to have a 1/2 hour time slot before it actually starts to rain in earnest. These days I keep my weather gear organized at home, so I can grab it if needed.

My gear is general purpose: A rain jacket and rain pants. I carry the same gear when hiking, or just being outdoors in the rain. During the summer, I ride in sandals and bring my "work" shoes in a plastic bag. Work requires shoes for safety reasons.

The difficult season is from March to May, when it's quite cold in the morning, but can warm up in the afternoon. Then I have to strategize a bit, typically making sure I've got a way to bring the extra layers back home.

I cycle commuted year round for about five years in the early 2000s (had a huge locker at work, showers and safe bike parking indoors).

Yep, you develop a sense for what you need to wear on any given day. There were only a handful of days where I had to really layer up but for a "normal" winter day around here you didn't need much (eg -5C to -10C).
I dress for ten minutes into an activity rather than for when I first step out the door. The first few minutes are usually chilly!

For wet weather riding in ~15C temps, I used a light racing jersey with long sleeves to keep the chill off. Warmer and I wouldn't wear anything special. Cooler and I'd pull out the light goretex cycling jacket and maybe Lycra leg warmers.

 

[Mark Reccord]

Primo fatbiking conditions around here this week. We had a bunch of really dry snow nearly 2 weeks ago and it wasn't compacting all that well until we had a bit of a warm up and some rain on Wednesday, then back into the deep freeze. Groomers got out at exactly the right time and by Thursday conditions were amazing.

 

[elgecko]

Spring-like conditions in SoCal today.

 

[Mark Reccord]

@elgecko The contrast between the pics in your post and mine is pretty amazing. The far east vs. the far west and surprisingly only 14 degrees of latitude.

 

[fokof]

Perfect conditions yesterday

 

[Mark Reccord]

Perfect conditions yesterdayView attachment 4177964

You should head out to Vallee Bras du Nord. Looks like things are pretty epic over there. We have a good bit of that sort of riding out here too since they've been grooming the MTB trails with Snowdogs.

 

[fokof]

Yep , it's on my ToDo list !

Looking at that video , it leaves the impression that Fatbiking is like MTBing , the guy is always hammering , 110 RPM ...... NOT ! So much more cardio and tough !!!!

Say you have an average of 15 Kmh on MTB , on a Fat , same trail , it's around 6kmh.
For me anyways , I'm old and slow

 

[Mark Reccord]

Yep , it's on my ToDo list !

Looking at that video , it leaves the impression that Fatbiking is like MTBing , the guy is always hammering , 110 RPM ...... NOT ! So much more cardio and tough !!!!

Say you have an average of 15 Kmh on MTB , on a Fat , same trail , it's around 6kmh.
For me anyways , I'm old and slow

I dunno, that's the way I do it and I'm pushing 50.

It's definitely opposite out here. No one will ever match their fatbike times in the summer. Trails are waaaay faster in the winter. Last night my average speed was 9km/h and in the summer it's between 6 and 7. The snow covers all the super technical rocks and roots. It's like there are two totally different trail systems in the same physical space.

 

[Inky13]

My cross bike. Also just had a flat yesterday.

View attachment 4127428 View attachment 4127429 View attachment 4127430 View attachment 4127431 View attachment 4127432

Did you catch anything?

 

[Meenkya]

Just found this thread! Been a passionate cyclist for over 30 years. Most of that here in sunny, incredibly flat S. Florida. At 56 I still put in around 300 miles a month and find a 50 mile ride is cheaper than therapy. (By not much)
Blessed to own two De Rosa's. The first pic is me killing the peloton in the early 90's. Riding my Neo Classico SLX with Campy record and delta brakes! I still have her, she's more a beautiful piece of art. My current bike is a King 3 with super record. Will ride till I die...

 

[Hot Rats]

You should head out to Vallee Bras du Nord. Looks like things are pretty epic over there. We have a good bit of that sort of riding out here too since they've been grooming the MTB trails with Snowdogs.

After watching this vid, Fat Bikes are the coolest things and I'm thinking what are the fattest tires I can fit on my 26" rims....... because I just can't go dumping more coin into a whole new bike.