Boston Bikers Braving The Brisk Breeze (Winter Riding Pics!)

Thank you very much to the many folks that sent in pictures, I have contacted the first few of you with requests for your addresses. I will be handing out randomly a whole bunch of bike riding books I have, I am not sure you will all enjoy them, but hey they are free and you can always re-gift. So without further delay here you all are in your riding finery. Way to ride Boston, way to ride!

We got some great submissions, everything from cycle chic to high tech ninja biker, below in order of submission are some great winter cyclists.

Greg Says:

Both these photos are from the same group ride a year ago, during a snow storm last December, when my drum bike was a bucket on top of my front-mounted milk crate. I’m wearing ski goggles, winter everything, with a reflective safety construction vest to top it off. I look like an insane person. Drum biking in this weather was exhilarating, to say the least.

The other photo was taken later on the path near Carson Beach, where we ended up.

Todd says:

I commute 26 miles, round trip. I bundle up as if my life depends on it:

Head:
Merino Wool beanie
Packing tape over helmet vents (thanks for this tip!)

Torso:
Merino wool long sleeve base layer
Heavy wool sweater
Woolrich button wool shirt
Gore-tex windbreaker

Hands:
Pearl Izumi Barrier Gloves

Bottom:
Polypro briefs
Merino/Lycra base layer
Corduroys
Gore-tex gaiters

Feet:
Heavy wool socks
Plastic shopping bags
Heavy wool socks
Leather hiking boots

Ben Says:

Cait and I raced in Superb’s Blizzard Man race last night. Some good pics on their site http://superbbicycle.com/2010/12/27/superb-bicycle-snow-race-results/ and one attached of Cait, after she came in third!

Veloria says:

Snow pictures from “Velouria” at Lovely Bicycle!

Jonathan says:

A couple pics. Not great, but you get the idea.

Dave Says:

Here are some photo of me in the snow last weekend.

Gina says:

I ride 15 miles roundtrip between Amherst and Northampton on the Norwottuck Rail Trail. I like the motorcycle rider /slick skier look. This is me after the last run of the day. Yee hah.

Phil Says:

OK, so here is what I typically wear on an ‘average’ winter day. I’m sorry there isn’t any snow scene available where my photographer is anyway…

Outfit:

Cords (usually have a pair of flannel lined chinos)
Wool socks
Dress Shirt
Cashmere Sweater
Cashmere Scarf
Wool Gloves with cool neon colored bike gloves over. Folks STOP when you wave with those for sure.
Hand made Wool knitted felt hat
Helmet has pads removed to make room for the warm hat
Sun glasses (but I have a pair of orange ones for cloudy days and clear ones for night time…these are important)
Harris Tweed Jacket (as bought at Boomerangs for $14.99) is the KEY!

I ride from Peabody Square in Dorchester to the Brewery at Amory Street each day. Typically we go from Amory to Centre Street to the PO as well…AND BACK. Also ride just about everywhere in the city which includes one or two evening meetings a week… Figure we ride about 75 miles a week on average over the course of the year. It’s probably closer to 50-60 in the winter months.

If it gets colder we add:

A half length woolen overcoat.
Sheep skin mittens
Sheep skin hat with ear flaps
Better warmer shoes
Wool pants
long underwear
ski goggles (if it’s nearing zero)

Carice Says:

So not much snow or visible “winter” in this photo, but it was 29 degrees when I was going out the door to work this morning, and this is what I was wearing:

Geoff Says:

That triangle thing? That’s my nose!

Rebecca says:

This is a photo of Paul Larrabee riding in a blizzard on Park ave. in Somerville in 1980

Galen Says:

Last minute addition. Nothing too special about these shots, except I get to show off my santa helmet and facemask. And the Jambike’s killer wheels for this type of weather.

I was super impressed with the diversity of the entries. I have been seeing an explosion of year round riders in Boston, so expect to see a whole lot more of the people above out on the streets this winter.

Whats your winter riding style? Which submitted picture is your favorite? Got any winter riding questions?

Happy and warm cycling everyone 🙂

Add to Reddit.

Tweet

Stuck In The Snow

I have pushed my bike through all sorts of weather….but guess what doesn’t go when it snows and blows? Air planes, my least favorite form of transportation. I am stuck in the great white north, and will return Jan 1st. In the mean time I declare this post an open comment thread!

Post any snow related items in the comments.

How are you dealing with the snow? Anyone have any fun snow ride related stories? Any blizzard heroics performed on bike? Street conditions? Path conditions? Questions about riding in the snow?

And don’t forget I am still offering prizes to people who send in pictures of them bundled up to go for a ride in the snow (now would be a perfect time to snap a shot with you, your bike, and some epic snow!)

Add to Reddit.

Tweet

Send In A Picture Of You In Your Winter Riding Gear (Prizes!)

I will be on winter vacation for the next couple days, so I thought I would pin this up here, we still got prizes to give away so send in them pics!

happy holidays everyone, and happy cycling into the new year

BostonBiker

——————————————————————————–

Years ago, during the winter, I felt like a lone explorer plying the cold dark wastelands on my bike. Winter would roll around and the few cyclists who I had seen riding regularly would vanish. It was lonely cycling till warm weather returned.

All that has changed! Now I end up in bike traffic. Even on days in the sub 20 degree range I see not one, not two, but dozens of other riders out there making their way about town. I see riders in the rain, I see riders in the wind, in the snow, in the drizzle. There is nothing wrong with being a seasonal commuter, but the sheer number of people now using their bicycles as “every day” transport (and I mean every day, even the cold nasty ones) is really amazing.

We have reached some sort of fantastic tipping point and now there are riders out there year round in all weather conditions. Its enough to make a bike bloggers heart grow three sizes.

I have also noticed that people look awesome riding there bikes in the cold. Scarfs, face masks, goggles, hats, capes, gloves. From the fancy to the functional, from high fashion to dime store chic winter riders are out in style and numbers!

I figured it would be fun to collect a bunch of pictures of people all done up in their winter gear to show the non-winter riders the fun they are missing.

The next time you are all geared up for a nice winter ride (or the next time you come home covered in snow), snap a picture of yourself and send it to [email protected], I will collect all the pictures and make a post of them.

The first couple people/best pictures will get prizes!

Cant wait to see what you all look like bundled up for a nice winter ride.

Add to Reddit.

Tweet

Book Review: The Spring Classics, Cycling’s Greatest One Day Races

From time to time I get sent books to take a look at, I guess running a bike blog has some small perks. Usually they are pretty formal stuff, weight training, repairs, stuff like that. Once in a while however you get a real gem.

The Spring Classics, Cycling Greatest One Day Races is a fantastic coffee table book full of amazing pictures of time of yore. With todays heavy focus on a few big flashy races, and tours we sometimes forget that cycling has a long history of one day “classics.” Sure a lot of die hard cycling fans love the start of classic season, but your average biker has never heard of most of these races.

And races they were, this book is resplendent with amazing black and white photos of old time bike racers showing their all. Through snow, over cobbles, in the wind, rain, you name it these guys just kept pushing (and none of them had helmets either). This book is a treat for anyone who likes cycling, or old pictures of cycling, or both.

Seeing a couple guys from the 20’s pushing fixed gears through a blizzard, or seeing Eddie Merckx DESTROY people in the way only he could while his face looks like someone just punched him in it, gives you a real sense of the heroics of cycling.

It was a real joy watching some of the old school races (which look like a lot of alley cats I have ridden), and to see that even back then they understood that if you want to win you have to suffer. Seeing people covered in muck riding the Paris Roubaix, or even some of the colorful pictures from modern times, really makes you want to go ride your bike a couple hundred miles over cobble stones in a blizzard…really. This is a great gift for the cycling enthusiast in your home.

Add to Reddit.

Tweet

Pedal Powered Art Show, Auction and Party!

Got this in the mail today, looks like a great time! Check it out!

————————————-

Art show, Auction and Party wrap-up CX 2009 at Wheelworks,
480 Trapelo Rd, Belmont
Thursday, January 21, 2010 6pm-10pm

Now that the post-race adrenaline has dissolved in blood and alcohol, it’s time to go back and savor the juicy bits of muddy war-times. It’s like a good aged wine (or whiskey), to be consumed, unlike recovery beer, by contemplatively engaging your palate to discover the nuances of this season’s cyclocross crop.

Here’s a preview scoop on what to expect:
– photography, posters, paintings
– free beer provided by Wheelworks and Cambridge Bicycle Racing Team
– free food by Sofra bakery
– friends, more friends and people who will become your friends
– music
– AUCTION (more on that here)

Those who anticipate transportation problems, please e-mail me to set you up with carpooling!
That was short, right?

Pedal Power Photography website has been slightly updated and highly recommend the Portrait gallery for your viewing pleasure.

Happy Holidays!
Hope to see you at the Show,

Add to Reddit.

Tweet