To all you deep cold weather guys

[Utah Rider]

Here's some of my winter videos on Strava. Much more fun than going to the gym. Thanks for viewing.
Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/7vH57Cs4syb

Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/Y1BrXjD4syb

Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/w6rlBlQ4syb

Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/RYXigK14syb

 

[gooral]

I can see the need for devices like the garmin 1030 but I find I wouldn’t use the data. I don’t use any navigation or trip planning either on Strava or the Bosch app.

My handle bar is only there to hang my brake levers on……it’s pretty clean.
Canceled my subscription to Strava because I only used Beacon and the recent price increase doesn’t justify its use to me.

So that leaves me with Find my Friend and/or Apple itag and the crash detection on my iwatch. Apparently the new iPhone 14 has gps on it and that could be handy when I’m out of cell service.

I’ve triggered the crash detection on the iwatch several times and I scramble to shut the auto-dial off before a search goes out. (60 seconds I think). I think that’s a good feature when you ride alone even though it can be annoying sometimes.

If I rode my bike as a commuter sometimes I would probably re-think my devices.

You did not need to pay for Strava in that case, as "beacon" is in the free version that I use. Free version is good enough for my needs
As to iphone 14 having gps - all mobiles have it and always had it. You do not need data or be within reach of mobile masts/have mobile reception to be tracable by whoever you want. You can in fact save your battery and put your phone in airplane mode and whoever you want can still follow you )say using sharing location on WhatsApp), your strava and trailforks will still record your route. I use it this way all the time, can ride without distractions and can listen to my podcasts for way longer, do not need to take my phone charger even on long rides.

 

[steve_sordy]

Any time I've seen it minus 15 or 20 c in my area there is absolutely no wind and it doesn't feel as cold as 0 with loads of wind and rain . I've worked outside in it for 12 hour shifts wind and rain are torture.

I agree about the windchill factor, but as you all know, bikes generate their own windchill. You will know all about windchill but for those that don't know the details, here is a good chart.

Wind Chill Chart

It's from the USA I think, so it's all in Fahrenheit, but from the calculator just below the chart you can use degC and mph or kph.

I learned that at 0degC and 8mph, it feels like -4degC. At 16mph it feels like -6degC. I was surprised to see that 25mph only generates -7degC

That is why I wear an insulated skull cap under my helmet on cold days!

 

[steve_sordy]

My record on my Levo is -5F / -20c. Bar mitts/poggies are a given. I always carry two extra things for the down hill. One is a pair of goggles in the camelbak and the other is a neoprene snow mobile face mask wrapped around the handle bars. The reason for the neoprene mask on the bars is that it's always there and you'll never forget to bring it. Even if the ride doesn't require it, it's always there all winter for safety. The boots are wolfgar with heated insoles. Heated insoles are probably not needed but after 3hrs riding with poor circulation they are fantastic.

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Do you know anyone who is a proper fanatic?

 

[steve_sordy]

A guy I used to ride with had this issue and always took aspirin before a cold ride - he swore it made a big difference for him.

I take a low-dose Aspirin every day and have done for the last 19 years. It has all sorts of benefits. I can now add another one!

 

[Utah Rider]

Last year . Arrow facing wrong way on power link. Check out the wear on the KMC chain.

 

[Binhill1]

I agree about the windchill factor, but as you all know, bikes generate their own windchill. You will know all about windchill but for those that don't know the details, here is a good chart.

Wind Chill Chart

It's from the USA I think, so it's all in Fahrenheit, but from the calculator just below the chart you can use degC and mph or kph.

I learned that at 0degC and 8mph, it feels like -4degC. At 16mph it feels like -6degC. I was surprised to see that 25mph only generates -7degC

That is why I wear an insulated skull cap under my helmet on cold days!

Movement as well plays a big part. I always say it doesn't matter how much clothes you put on if you are not moving you never stay warm . I got issued with all the best of Norwegian thermal gear on a job a couple of years ago up in the Arctic circle , still freezing but melting if u had to do a bit. Cycling in winter when wet is no fun.

 

[steve_sordy]

Last year . Arrow facing wrong way on power link. Check out the wear on the KMC chain.

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That looks proper cold! I have had ice on my beard as my breath froze, but that was only a few degrees below freezing.

I can't see any wear on the chain, just the jockey wheel. That jockey wheel may not have worn like that because of the chain being on the wrong way around. It happened to me just because I never thought to check it. For the avoidance of doubt, the old one is on the left!

That happend in the temperate UK, where we just don't get bad weather very often. The worst we get is mud.

 

[Utah Rider]

I replaced the jockey wheels on that bike before I sold it. It was a 17 Levo on its third motor. That bike easily had 1 million feet/300,000 meters of climbing on it. If you zoom in on the chain you'll see crazy deep wear marks on each side. I only got those wear marks with KMC chains. Only buy SRAM chains now. They don't break like the KMC does. (for me anyway). Currently my winter bike is a 18 carbon levo. Speaking of winter safety, I always carry a spare 1st gen battery for the spesh. If it's really cold the power meter kinda lies. It can shut down at three power bars with no warning. I also keep a pack of chemical hand warmers in the camelbak. Once this winter I had a tire issue at 10 miles distance from the car. My hands were frozen after the tire repair and those chemical warmers saved my butt.

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[cykelk]

Reviving the thread for 2024. Pretty cold yesterday here in the PNW 3 out of 4 of my fender zip ties snapped on this ride.

 

[Binhill1]

I replaced the jockey wheels on that bike before I sold it. It was a 17 Levo on its third motor. That bike easily had 1 million feet/300,000 meters of climbing on it. If you zoom in on the chain you'll see crazy deep wear marks on each side. I only got those wear marks with KMC chains. Only buy SRAM chains now. They don't break like the KMC does. (for me anyway). Currently my winter bike is a 18 carbon levo. Speaking of winter safety, I always carry a spare 1st gen battery for the spesh. If it's really cold the power meter kinda lies. It can shut down at three power bars with no warning. I also keep a pack of chemical hand warmers in the camelbak. Once this winter I had a tire issue at 10 miles distance from the car. My hands were frozen after the tire repair and those chemical warmers saved my butt.

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Cycled home many times with a flat on analogue bike never tried with ebike. Or never had to I wonder ???? .

 

[Utah Rider]

My ice bike has wheels that were custom made by EIE Carbon. I had them made 27.5 , max width, UST tubeless with no spoke holes. That way no rim tape needed or air leaks in extreme cold or wet riding. Match that with 27.5 X 3.0 Wrathchild tires. I carry plugs for repairs but I've found that plugs don't seal very well when the rubber is below freezing. I pretty much just carry c02 and try to get back to the car if in trouble. I also carry chemical hand warmers for emergencies. If you have to take your gloves off for a trailside repair and your 10 miles from the car, they can be a life saver. In Utah, almost all my rides finish with a DH. That means you don't generate any body heat for up to 10 miles.

 

[Utah Rider]

Here is a link from my last ride. There is a video from a Coyote pack that I ran into.

https://strava.app.link/YVEfXPwAkGb

 

[steve_sordy]

@Utah Rider What is that car in pic No 2?
It looks like an EV, so how does it perform in the cold weather that you guys get?

 

[Binhill1]

Don't encourage him please

 

[Stihldog]

@Utah Rider What is that car in pic No 2?
It looks like an EV, so how does it perform in the cold weather that you guys get?

I thought it was the Rivan, but I’ve only seen their trucks.
Edit; Rivan R1T ?

 

[Utah Rider]

That's the new Tesla truck. It's not mine. I'm working class. That was the first one that I have seen. The windshield was already cracked. That would cost pretty penny to replace.

 

[darwink1]

Been lucky enough not to get too much snow this winter but we just got hit with 2 good storms in one week so.... back to boring fat biking it is. Heres a few kinda winter vids, still on the bullit up till last week which is a new record for me.

Who's gonna carry the boat!?

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Darny McCaskill origins vol. 1 The frosty bridge

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When there was still a trail

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Messing around on the rocks

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Slippery Blue with Dan

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D

 

[Twisted Fork]

This morning’s ride started at -28 Celsius and warmed up to -18 by noon. At least the wind was much milder than it’s been the past few days, but still cold enough to warrant a full face balaclava. Pretty humid in there on the climbs though!

Was a bit of an experiment ride to see how the RM Blizzard Powerplay holds up in these conditions. I chose a local xc style trail that has plenty of bail out options in case something went sideways. Rocky Mountain tech guidance says that the battery will shut itself down once the cells reach -20 degrees and reboot after it warms back up to -15. No major issues on this 22km ride, so I’m assuming the battery generated enough internal heat through use to avoid reaching the threshold cutoff temperature. I didn’t want to stop for any length of time just to make sure that heat didn’t dissipate (both the battery’s and my own body heat). At one point on the downhill I was starting to feel like my corneas were close to getting a touch of frost nip. That’s an unsettling sensation! Probably wise to remember glasses or goggles next time. Thumb and brake finger pain was wickedly hostile, but that was expected and pretty much unavoidable in those conditions… all part of the fun I suppose.

 

[cykelk]

This morning’s ride started at -28 Celsius and warmed up to -18 by noon. At least the wind was much milder than it’s been the past few days, but still cold enough to warrant a full face balaclava. Pretty humid in there on the climbs though!

Was a bit of an experiment ride to see how the RM Blizzard Powerplay holds up in these conditions. I chose a local xc style trail that has plenty of bail out options in case something went sideways. Rocky Mountain tech guidance says that the battery will shut itself down once the cells reach -20 degrees and reboot after it warms back up to -15. No major issues on this 22km ride, so I’m assuming the battery generated enough internal heat through use to avoid reaching the threshold cutoff temperature. I didn’t want to stop for any length of time just to make sure that heat didn’t dissipate (both the battery’s and my own body heat). At one point on the downhill I was starting to feel like my corneas were close to getting a touch of frost nip. That’s an unsettling sensation! Probably wise to remember glasses or goggles next time. Thumb and brake finger pain was wickedly hostile, but that was expected and pretty much unavoidable in those conditions… all part of the fun I suppose.

Goggles (with the air-gapped double lens) for sure, and pogies for the hands. Stick some hand warmers on the inside of the pogies. I use these, which work fine except for occasionally toggling the Fazua ring controller. May try the roomier ones.

 

[steve_sordy]

This morning’s ride started at -28 Celsius and warmed up to -18 by noon. .............

............... At one point on the downhill I was starting to feel like my corneas were close to getting a touch of frost nip. ................... Thumb and brake finger pain was wickedly hostile, .......… all part of the fun I suppose.

Fun!
It takes all sorts.

 

[Utah Rider]

I need heated jockey wheels. Photo from this morning.

 

[Haveland]

I only ride solo and mostly at night. My wife monitors my ride, and I tell her to check in every 30 min, and if I haven't moved for more than an hour, to call, and if I don't answer, start the evac plan. Luckily, many of the firefighters also ride, so my wife has a number of them to call first and let them decide what to do. I also tell my wife where my truck will be parked.

I always carry a few of those instant heat packs, one of those space blankets, extra light and keep the risks as safe as possible but fully know the easy stuff can still get you. It's all a calculated risk.

My actual biggest fear is not getting hurt but instead my phone freezing and there being a search party sent out and something happening to them when I'm ok.

 

[steve_sordy]

Bonkers, the lot of you!

 

[Tubby G]

space blankets

Funnily enough I’ve started carrying one of those on rides as I figured it would probably be the most essential item if having to wait for emergency services with broken bones whilst out in all weathers

 

[Utah Rider]

I learned something very important a couple of weeks ago after skiing. Don't keep the key fob in an outside pocket when cold out. My truck won't start if it doesn't detect a key. I had to put the key fob next to my package for a few minutes to warm the battery.

 

[Utah Rider]

Funnily enough I’ve started carrying one of those on rides as I figured it would probably be the most essential item if having to wait for emergency services with broken bones whilst out in all weathers

You can pedal an ebike with a broken leg. Ask me how I know?

 

[irie]

I learned something very important a couple of weeks ago after skiing. Don't keep the key fob in an outside pocket when cold out. My truck won't start if it doesn't detect a key. I had to put the key fob next to my package for a few minutes to warm the battery.

Guess you had a cremasteric reflex

 

[Tubby G]

You can pedal an ebike with a broken leg. Ask me how I know?

And a broken wrist / fingers, ask me I know

 

[RickBullotta]

My fatbike in its favorite environment!