Catching Up: Beach cruising in Florida, winter riding and commuting

Rainy day rider

I'm recently back from the warm breezes of southwest Florida (see wildlife photos here: jlarrygolferphotography.blogspot.com) only to face the cold of the DC area. Riding a balloon-tired beach cruiser for five days along the beaches, back streets and wildlife trails around Fort Myers Beach with my granddaughter made for a different kind of riding that took some effort but helped minimize the effect of all those chicken tenders, french fries and ice cream cones.

Despite the cold, some intrepid riders out there will brave all kinds of weather. For myself, I will ride on a cold day with appropriate clothing for head, hands and body warmth and moisture ventilation (see below), but I no longer go out when it's colder than 40 degrees, and never when there is a forecast for precipitation greater than 30 percent. I got caught out earlier this year in a downpour on a chilly spring day on the way back from the office in Old Town and was thoroughly drenched and shivering by the time I arrived at the Caribou Coffee in Shirlington to try to dry off and warm up with hot chocolate. I decided I shouldn't go any further so I called my emergency rescue service, Carole, to gather me up. Lesson learned: carry a rain jacket when there is even a slight chance of rain.

That's not me in the photo above, but another rider that I photographed from the warm comfort of my car a couple of years ago on a similar day on the Mount Vernon Trail near Daingerfield Island.

REI posted an article about winter riding on their website earlier this year. It is full of details and good ideas for both commuters and recreational riders:
http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/winter-bicycling.html

For myself, on those crisp, sunny cold days that I do decide to ride, this is generally my clothing:
-- Close fitting base top and bottom layers of silk, polypropylene, or other moisture wicking material
-- Lined bike tights, sometimes under nylon pants (although the legs seem to suffer least from cold)
-- Fleece zip top with a high neck, sometimes with an additional jersey top under
-- Outer wind shell
-- Tight cap under the helmet, or,
-- Balaclava (I have two: one of thin material, and one with a fleece neck)
-- Glove liners with outer bike gloves or even ski gloves for more warmth
-- One pair of sock liners and one pair of wool socks
-- Neoprene booties

Of course, I adjust this list depending on the temperature and the wind.

Three other pieces of gear I don't leave home without:
-- Rear view mirror: I have been using the 3rd Eye brand of eyeglass mirror forever, and if you wear glasses I highly recommend it. Available at most bike shops. Description is here: http://www.3rd-eye.com/(05).htm  It attaches to the temple piece on your eyeglass frame, as shown below. It won't work with very thin frames, unfortunately. In that case, there are many alternatives that attach to helmets and handlebars, available at the local bike shops.

Note the "3rd eye"

-- Rear blinking light: Planet Bike Blinky Superflash Tail Light. This is the "best and brightest." Available at bike shops and online. You will defintely be seen at a distance with this bright blinker.

-- Headlamp: I don't often ride in the dark, but if I'm late and get caught after sunset, I have the NiteRider MiNewt 600 Cordless LED Headlight to guide me through the dark. This light is amazingly bright, rechargeable, and I use it as a pocket flash on night walks as well. It's really as bright as a car headlamp. This model is now harder to find. There is a 650 lumen version and a less expensive 500 lumen version. It ain't cheap ($89-$120), but if you want to be seen and to be able to see as well, this is the one to get. Many bike headlamps allow you to be seen, but barely light up the path or road in front of you, so if there is a hazard such as a stick or pothole or whatever, you won't see it unless you have a really good headlamp.

Today's Washington Post has a story on commuting via Chain Bridge that discusses the risks for bike commuters, at least in that part of town. Here's the link:
http://wapo.st/VQHogt

Too many injuries and fatalities are being reported between motor vehicles and cyclists.  One case was reported nearby in November as a female cyclist was hit and killed by a pickup truck as she was crossing Columbia Pike from the northbound side at Ashwood Place, across from Harris Teeter. It was unclear how it happened but it was an unmarked intersection. See this screenshot from the news video, with my annotations. Very unfortunate.

So to all who commute or ride for recreation in the winter, stay warm, and year-round, be careful and be wary of your surroundings.

Watch your email if you want to join me, weather permitting, for short notice rides. I'll start up the planning for larger group rides when we get a warming trend going. Spring less than three months away!