The Bicycle Thread - December 2020

December 4, 2020 | The Bicycle Thread

[Berlin_Freeper]

Welcome to The Bicycle Thread. A monthly PING List for bicycle enthusiasts to share experiences, information and ideas.

[Berlin_Freeper]

The Bicycle Thread PING! 🚴‍♂️😀

Here is something to get the juices going (I am still not riding below 45 degrees, right now it is 32):

Mark Matthews has the eye of an artist when he builds his trails. He finds a picturesque landscape, identifies a line that complements his riding style, and spends hours in the forest, turning his vision into a creative masterpiece that translates beautifully to the screen. His newest line and the surrounding trail network provided the perfect setting to showcase speed and style against the backdrop of a lush Pacific Northwest forest. Complemented by the raw sounds of Mark’s bike on the trail we hope you enjoy ‘Changing Seasons.’

[Berlin_Freeper]

Top 8 Reasons To Keep Cycling Through Winter | GCN's Guide To Making The Most Of The Colder Months (YouTube video)

[Berlin_Freeper]

NYC sees big bicycling boom in year of COVID, according to DOT data

More than 25,000 cyclists crossed the city’s four East River bridges on an average weekday from July through October, according to data from the city DOT, which is up by some 4,300 daily cyclists — or 21% — from the same period of 2019.

[Berlin_Freeper]

FYI:

under CVC 21200, it is unlawful to ride a bicycle within a crosswalk. In order to comply with California law and for your own safety, bicyclists should dismount their bicycle and walk it across the street within the marked crosswalk.

[Pontiac]

You can never have too many laws.

[real saxophonist]

Yeah, I’m still a little apprehensive about riding when it’s wet, cold or icy after crashing and breaking my leg 4 years ago.

[cavador]

I have 3 E-bikes and am building a fourth one.
Next stage I am going to build an E-scooter with 16 inch wheels.I have to do cut & weld on a childs bike for the frame When I finish I want to post pictures here.

[Flick Lives]

That’s some insane trail riding, especially the jump over the tree trunk.

[billorites]

[Flick Lives]

Yeah, I’m still a little apprehensive about riding when it’s wet, cold or icy after crashing and breaking my leg 4 years ago.

I like to get to on my bike in the Winter, weather permitting, to avoid cabin fever, especially in the world of Covid craziness.

If the trails are clear of snow, it's sunny, calm, and above 35 degrees, it can make for a nice ride as long as I layer up on the clothing.

If it's icy or snowy, 'it's a no go. The bike handles like a squirrel on meth when it hits ice.

[daniel1212]

under CVC 21200, it is unlawful to ride a bicycle within a crosswalk. In order to comply with California law and for your own safety, bicyclists should dismount their bicycle and walk it across the street within the marked crosswalk.

So it is best to ride across the street along side the crosswalk. But there is likely a law against that also, and both of which discourage bicycle riding, which is contrary to the environmental push in CA while the lack of such exercise fosters obesity which is a main cause of death with Covid.

[Disambiguator]

https://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires/studded

[daniel1212]

Then there is this:

[Flick Lives]

Nice winter tires. Pricy, but I guess a lot of that cost is simply far fewer specialized tires like that get sold.

[Flick Lives]

That’s Fred Flintstone’s bike!

[Disambiguator]

Schwalbe tires are a bit spendy to start with, but they’re good. That’s all I have on my bikes right now.

[Flick Lives]

Schwalbe tires are a bit spendy to start with, but they’re good. That’s all I have on my bikes right now.

—

And I guess when one considers you only need winter tires for a few months, a set would be good for probably 4 or 5 years.

[IronJack]

Nope. I don't ride when it gets below 40F. I'm not that dedicated anymore. I ride for fun, and there's nothing fun about freezing my hands, nose, and ... other things ... off on a bike ride.

I salute the polar bears and die-hards who keep on riding through snow, sleet, and dark of night. But it's not for me any more.

That's why I have a KICKR.

[Blue Jays]

"...Nope. I don't ride when it gets below 40* F..."

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My club does fewer road rides and starts doing more MTB rides. The wooded trails are much more protected from wind and the rides just feel WAY more comfortable. The slower speeds of off-road rides lets cyclists bundle-up with more warm clothing, too.