I Hate the Cold
Three seasons out of the year, I love to get on my bike. But winter — by which I mean "the cold part of fall, all of winter, and the cold part of spring" — just sucks.
I’m sorry. I’m trying to have a positive attitude. Really. And I’m not saying I’m going to quit riding during the winter. I’m not. I plan to bundle up, layer upon layer, twice a day and bike into work on the icy roads, in the dark, in the blowing snow and /or freezing rain, with the bulk of clothing restricting me to the extent that I can barely turn my head, much less the cranks.
Sorry. I guess my attitude slipped again. It’s just that winter somehow takes one of the things I like best in the whole world — a light, fast, spontaneous, free adventure I can have every day — and turns it into a heavy, preparation-laden, sluggish, uncomfortable slog.
Before I continue, I should point out that anyone who leaves a bracing pep talk in the comment section today will be met with a snort of ridicule and a rolling of the eyes. Do we understand each other? Fine. Let’s move on.
Getting Started
Through most of the year, dressing for a ride is the simplest thing in the world. Shorts, jersey, socks, shoes, helmet, glasses, gloves. In that order (for me, at least). Let’s roll.
In the winter, though, it’s more like:
- Look outside. Is it snowing? Raining? Is there ice on the road?
- Go outside, try to get a sense of the temperature and whether it’s going to get warmer. Look at the clouds, trying to decide — if it’s not raining now — whether it will be soon.
- Go back inside. Based on how cold and dark it is, ponder whether you really are all that committed to this idea of biking anyway. I mean, seriously. Wouldn’t it be nice to drive in today? You could listen to NPR — haven’t had much time for the news lately, it’d be good to catch up — and be all nice and warm when you get to work.
- Banish demons. You’re going to ride.
- Put on base layer.
- Put on wool socks.
- Put on more wool socks.
- Put on tights.
- Put on heavy jersey.
- Put on shoes.
- Put on shoe covers.
- Put on jacket.
- Put on gloves.
- Put on more gloves.
- Put on helmet.
- Put on glasses.
- Put on headband ear warmer jobby that muffles all sound and screws with your peripheral vision and in general makes you feel like you’re now in much greater danger of a collision.
- Ask yourself, "Is there any possible way that any possible ride could be worth all the effort I just went through?"
Riding
When you ride in the cold, every breath hurts. And then your eyes start to water. And then the water running down your eyes starts to freeze.
Your face stops reacting properly. Your ears hurt. Your toes hurt…and then they stop hurting, because they’ve gone numb.
It doesn’t stay this bad, though. After a while, you warm up a little. You stop scrunching your face up to see whether it works, because you’ve come to accept that it doesn’t. Your legs warm up almost no matter how cold it is, because they’re working so hard. Apart from your nose, ears, toes, and fingers, biking’s fun again.
And that’s when you come to a stoplight.
Stopping
As soon as you stop, your glasses fog. And then the nice little sweat you’ve worked up —evidence that you were finally starting to warm up — becomes instantly clammy. Time slows down. You start to shiver.
Ordinarily, I love looking into cars from my bike while I’m stopped at a light. I put on this smug little smile that says, "I’m going somewhere, just like you, but I’m exercising and having fun while I’m doing it. I am clearly smarter than you." When it’s cold, I look into those cars and can’t muster a smile. Car occupants, on the other hand, seem to have a smile for this occasion. It’s the smile that says, "I’m warm in my car and you’re cold on a bike, so you’re clearly as dumb as a bar of soap."
Afterward
When it’s warm, I often finish a ride wishing for more. I do not believe I have ever had such a wish when finishing a ride in the cold. Instead, I come inside and stand in the shower until the hot water runs out or the feeling comes back into my toes: whichever occurs first.
Oh, I’ve Got Cold Credibility
I’m almost sure some of you are thinking, "Fatty is such a nancy-boy. What does he know about cold?" Well, I lived for Finland for two years, and rode a bike as my main mode of transportation during the winter for each of those two years. Also, I grew up at above 8,000 feet in a little town in Colorado. It frequently had the lowest temperatures in the nation, including Alaska. So, yes: I know a thing or two about living and riding in the cold.
And I’d rather ride when it’s warm.
PS: It’s snowing right now. You think I should ride my bike home today, or bail out and get a ride? Your opinion carries more weight if you either are facing the same question right now. If you are in Australia, your opinion carries no weight whatsoever.
PPS: The winner of yesterday’s contest is Tayfur Yagci of Turkey. The fact that he’s racing with what he’s got impresses me no end. Here’s what Tayfur had to say:
I have one simple recommendation for all that stuff: Give some to me! I especially need: A long sleeve jersey, some good socks, a windstopper jacket.
So you want me to impress you? I don’t know if I can but here goes: I only have two items of bicycle clothing: A no-name tights and a t-shirt with the name of a local MTB team on it. (Pitbull MTB Racing) Thats all I have. Ok, I have other stuff I can wear but they aren’t bicycle clothes. A pair of old jeans or a worn out wool sweater don’t exactly count as cycling apparel. So that’s all I have.
I’ll tell you what, Tayfur. If you’re serious about wanting some used bike clothes, email me; let’s figure something out.
Comment by Tom Stormcrowe | 12.1.2005 | 8:17 pm
Congrats Tayfur! Fatty, I emailed him, but I’m sure he’ll check in shortly! I thing he deserves the bad too!::GRIN::
Comment by Tom Stormcrowe | 12.1.2005 | 8:19 pm
Sorry about the rotten spelling, fingers got a bit dislexic there! I meant I thought he deserved the *BAG* too!::GRIN::
Comment by pete | 12.1.2005 | 8:23 pm
You may well have lived in Finland, but I see you haven’t dropped the whining in place of fatalistic, Nordic stoicism.Big Jessie.Seriously, though, it’s not much fun sometimes. In fact the only thing I like about it is the breathing in the cold air bit. The particularly annoying thing you missed out is how (depending on yor latitude) when you leave the house it’s still dark but by the time you get there the light is blinding in that peculiar winter morning way.
Comment by rich | 12.1.2005 | 8:31 pm
Ok, cycling in the freezing cold sucks, but it does make us feel studly.One hugely cool thing about winter is after a weekend ride you can pile on some blankets and watch some football on the tube while prickly warm blood again circulates through your ears. And you, fatty, share a home town with the best team in the NFC. Remember all the energy in Utah surrounding the Jazz run to the finals? Even dorks who never made a free throw in thier geeky lifetimes had one of those purple flags on thier car. And that was just basketball. It must be completely insane in the northwest right now.Im completely, totally green.
Comment by Unknown | 12.1.2005 | 8:40 pm
only one thing to do when it gets cold. backcountry ski. just like mountain biking, but not.
Comment by Unknown | 12.1.2005 | 8:44 pm
Two weeks ago, I faced a minimum of 40 miles through "lake affect," or is it effect?, snow and freezing temperatures up and over the highest point in the county. I face the same ride this weekend and will ride it several times over the course of the winter. This is in addition to the daily commute, the various trips to of various lengths to various shoppes through snow, sleet, rain, freezing weather, or all at once for the multifarious necessities of life.. My response? Tights and fleecy longsleeved jersey (from Tschibo in London @ 20 bucks eachs), socks, useless "self-heating" footwarmers, skull cap, and lobster gloves, which — by the way — I adore for both their shape, name, and generally functionality, rain pants when windy or snowy and an unlined windbreaker. On the longer rides, my feet usually lose all feeling by mile 25 or 30. Last time the rear wheel and drive train turned into a ball of ice forcing me stop twice to chip ice out of the cassette and from the front and rear brakes and adding what seemed to be some 900 lbs to the bike’s wieght and, consequently, dramatically reducing pedalling efficiency and general responsiveness. Whatismore a dog chased me shortly after the rear tire flatted. When I got to where I was going, after a restorative ciggie butt and cup o’ joe, I was ready to and ride a bit more.I have lived in winter all my life, including Alaska where I often found my self in the middle, figuratively speaking, of the ocean in the middle of another endless dark night with the thermometer droping, the wind rising on a smallish boat gradually coating over with frozen seawater; I hate the cold with a passion but never once on any of these kind of rides in the past have I felt and, the good lord willing, never in the future will I feel, the slightest tinge of jealousy toward the pasty face wimpettes whose ashen faces stare out of the toasty confines of cars or the smallest conviction that I am a dope. Bikes and bike riding are respectively too georgeous and pleasurable to allow a little thing like some cold weather or a flake or so of snow cause whingeing and self-pity to crowd the beauty and joy of clambering on and peddling off.yrs,
Comment by craig | 12.1.2005 | 8:45 pm
damn you are one whiney son of a bitch. (I on the other hand, am currently warming up the car for the commute home and sipping hot cocoa)
Comment by Fat Cyclist | 12.1.2005 | 9:12 pm
alas, if today were a contest day, that would’ve won you a prize for sure. as is, you’ve convinced me to go ahead and bike home.
Comment by mhywan | 12.1.2005 | 9:21 pm
I live in Vancouver BC. I think we have similar climates and road conditions. I started commuting by bike 8 years ago. My commute was 13km and is now 9km. I now ride everyday, rain or shine. I only stop when a couple of conditions happen:- heavy fog and sub-zero (celsius) temperatures -> ice on the ground.- it’s snowing (like it was on Tuesday).A few years ago I stop riding when it rains. Then a friend introduced me to all the rain gear I need so I can ride. I now do not consider rain as a deterrant. These days I wake up, check the weather report, look outside, pick the right gear and go.I have to admit that I haven’t done the same to snow and ice. There are people who still ride when it snows. But it didn’t happen enough times here in the NorthWest for me to start collecting all these snow gear. Could I do it? I think I can but I am just a cheap bastard who doesn’t want to find an excuse to spend money. Now on to my gear collection: I am a minimalist in this regard. As of last week I have: -1 winter/rain jacket- 1 vest/summer jacket- 2 pairs of long pants (one with half rain material and one full rain pants).- 3 pairs of cycling shorts- 2 real short sleeve cycling jersies with back pockets- 1 long sleeve cycling jersey- 2 old soccer jersies – 2 long sleeve cotton t-shirts- about 12 short sleeve cotton t-shirts for commuting- 3 pairs of gloves (summer fingerless, rain, and winter)Last weekend was the Sugoi factory sale here in Vancouver. I indulged myself and bought 3 short sleeve cycling jersies and 1 pair of shorts. All for about CAD $60. If I knew you have spare clothing for sale I would have contacted you earlier…I guess my point is that you can set yourself up to do it if you have the mental attitude. You talked about climbing l’Alpe d’Issaquah. Well that’s an attitude thing too. You have to decide that you want to do it and you go for it. The same it is for raining in the rain or in the snow. Once you decide that you want to do it, you can.cheersMark in Vancouver.
Comment by tayfuryagci | 12.1.2005 | 9:24 pm
thanks so much for the bag and thinking about me Elden! that really means a lot! I’m mailing you right now!woohoo this is cool!(stop tayfur you’re making an ass of yourself) hey consicence just shut up for a minute!WOOHEY!
Comment by Unknown | 12.1.2005 | 9:27 pm
You’re killing me here!!! I’ve been reading your blog since September and can now say I’m not the biggest bike geek out there. I finally registered so I can comment today. I live in Eastern Washington, I checked the forcast this morning and saw it was supposed to rain and snow today with 10 to 20 mph winds. Great, I’ll ride. My commute is about 11miles one way. And, as you say, I’ll play the extended dance remix to get a few more miles in, I rode 20 this morning with about 10 into a bitterly cold headwind. It was great. Now, as I sit here it is snowing, the roads are wet, and I can’t wait to ride home. People here are looking at me like I’m crazy because I keep turning down offers for a ride home. To me, it is a fine day for a ride. I’m riding home, don’t let us down.PS My wife has made the Best Cake in the World for me three times in the last 2 months. I, now, cannot stand any other cake.
Comment by Unknown | 12.1.2005 | 9:30 pm
Hey Fatty,I’m on the other side of the Cascades from you. Yes it’s snowing here. Yes I will be riding home. This is my 5th consecutive winter commuting. I refuse to use the call of shame. I agree, it isn’t as easy. This is survival mode cycling weather. It just makes me appreciate when the days are longer and the temperatures are warmer. I had to pull out the "tractor" for the commute Tuesday. Monday night I knew this would happen. So, I really enjoyed and relished the final (probably) road bike ride of the year. The tractor is my mtn bike with studded tires. Worked like a charm on the ice Tuesday, but oh are they noisy.And you know what? There are these things called hot tubs that are pretty fun to hop into after a long cold ride!Keep on riding, just remember Leadville is only 8 months away.
Comment by Conejita | 12.1.2005 | 9:34 pm
I had the day off today to sit at home, relax, do nothing. As a result (and largely helped by the fact that my boyfriend it totally terrified that our neighbors are spying on us which results in all of our blinds being closed all the time) I hadnt even looked outside today until just now, when I read that it was snowing. For the love of god it is not supposed to snow in seattle before january. Thanks for ruining my day.
Comment by Chris | 12.1.2005 | 9:35 pm
I am with Dug on this one. In the winter you need to transform from The Fat Cyclist to The Fat Skiier.’course that doesn’t help getting to work except on a day like today. But a day on skis is just as good as a day on a bike and a hell of a lot better than the best day at work!Chris
Comment by Tommy | 12.1.2005 | 9:45 pm
Ride home! Ride home! I’m looking at the snow outside my window right now, and at my bike right beside me, and I can’t wait to get out in the snow and ride.It’s going to be interesting on my 700×23 tires, but at least I’ve got fenders and a great Light & Motion ARC light.I haven’t decided what I’m going to do about that -15% grade in the last half-mile to the house, though. Normally I’m cursing that hill in the morning when I have to start climbing it as soon as I leave the driveway….
Comment by Andrew | 12.1.2005 | 10:14 pm
What a bunch of wusses. Get out there and stop yer whining.Signed, juspasenthruMiami, FL
Comment by Julie | 12.1.2005 | 10:17 pm
HELP FATTY-I am not sure if you heard of this ban the Colorado State Patrol has just enacted – but it will have serious effects on organized rides in Colorado – maybe even the Leadville 100 – since they can limit the amount of riders on any ride now.Since your blog is read by "millions" of other cyclists I was hoping those from out of state would support CO group rides and sign the petition – otherwise they might be able to come to this great state for their favorite weeklong organized rides.This is copied from the bicyclecolo.org website – it was in all the newspapers and media this morning.Big Bicycling Events Banned! **Action Alert** The Colorado State Patrol has added an alarming new policy banning the biggest bicycle events in Colorado! Their new policy limits bicycle and triathlon events to 2,500 riders, but this limit can be lowered at any time putting every event at risk. Bicycle tours, races, charity rides, group rides, and triathlons are all affected. For more information please visit Bicycle Colorado at http://www.bicyclecolo.org. Thanks for your help.Julie
Comment by kentmc | 12.1.2005 | 10:51 pm
Feeback from AUSTRALIA.Somewhere there has to be a place where the weather is middle ground all the year round. I rode yesterday in temperatures so hot I lost a patch on my tube. The flies swarmed around trying to get the sweat from my face before it evaporated. I’d gone through 2 water bottles in 50 minutes and still ran out before I got home, parched and fatigued after only 1hr. Had a cold shower until the haze disappeared. Fell asleep on the couch wishing for Autumn. Summer is going to be a bitch.
Comment by Unknown | 12.1.2005 | 11:01 pm
I’d be happy to extol the virtues of the cold ride home. However, I am running short of time as I must run out and start the big SUV so it’s warm enough in there for the ride home.Okay, just kidding. The last two winters I have commuted both ways, snow or not. When it gets slick outside, I just soften up the tires on the mountain bike and that’s the ride of the day. Last year’s coldest day–9 degress F. One does get a look or two under those circumstances.I have been battling a chest cold, and have stabled the bikes for awhile, as coughing on clients is frowned upon. But unless you have a similar ailment, quit being a pansy and ride your bike home.
Comment by Jake | 12.1.2005 | 11:08 pm
I was wondering if you rode in today. I was checking the Seattle Radar and it looked a like it was a going to be a nasty day. Last time I commuted in the the snow I wrecked at the bottom of my hill on a layer of ice that was under a soft coating of snow. This happened right in front a bunch anxious commuters trying to make it through a traffic light. I quickly dragged myself to side of the road, checked myself over, then continued my commute into the office. When I got there I realized had a pretty good road rash. I did learn a lesson, black ice really bites in Seattle. These days, I try to telecommute when its snowing. I’m fortunate my company understands.
Comment by Sue | 12.2.2005 | 12:18 am
There’s not doubt about it, the activation energy is immense when it’s cold outside. It’s especially bad in the morning. . . and in the evening when it’s dark.If one is prepared (right clothes, right bike) riding in the snow can be fun, but only as a novelty. If you’ve got to cover 15 miles in traffic it bites.Botched
Comment by Christina | 12.2.2005 | 1:35 am
King County only owns 9 snow plows. I vote you hitch a car ride home, esp considering the hills. I bet half the county ditches work tomorrow.
Comment by Unknown | 12.2.2005 | 2:18 am
I wish I could commute in the snow, but the hill I live on, the roads I have to use, all are covered in ice. As much as I love to ride, I’m gonna hold on for living so I can ride when there’s no ice on the road. So quit whining, at least you can ride pretty year round in Seattle. Along with those others on the east side of the state (I’m in Spokane) I think only a fool would ride in the weather we’ve got right now. At least for you the snow will melt off and you’ll get to ride in the rain. And by the way, can I be listed on your blog roll? I’m a cyclist and a blogger, but I rarely blog about cycling. Still, I need readers and responders! Hi Jake!
Comment by Kelly | 12.2.2005 | 2:41 am
I’ve really got to get myself some cycling stuff. Tayfur just beat me to the pathetic story and the back-talking conscience. Damn conscience isn’t talking to me lately. Apparently I pissed it off because I wouldn’t ride in the cold. It’s ok. My bike is talking to me. Kelly
Comment by Unknown | 12.2.2005 | 3:02 am
Yer in SEATTLE, man. Right. It’s a "damp" cold. Okay, that’s like totally different.Ellrod (from Vancouver BC, hundreds if not thousands of feet north of you).(who packed up the bike pretty much when we changed the clocks to standard time.)
Comment by Unknown | 12.2.2005 | 3:34 am
Hey, everyone, give Fatty a little credit! Sure, he’s griping about the cold, but he didn’t say he was packing it in for the winter. Besides that, who else do you know who could come up with a phrase like cold credibility?Fatty: You forgot to mention the nasty inversions that cause the air to become so full of filth and muck that it’s hard to breathe even when you’re not on a bike. Hopefully you don’t get them up there and have forgotten about them. I hate the inversions and the short days even more than the snow and the cold.
Comment by Gustavo | 12.2.2005 | 4:30 am
I commute 3/5 days a week and live in Sammamish just like you. I was gonna commute today but when I saw snow on the forecast, I decided against it. Why ? Not because the conditions but because people here don’t know how to drive in the rain let alone snow. I’m not worried about falling on my bike. I’m worried about the cars skidding off like they usually do and taking me down. Call me a pessimist but the probability is higher in during snow days… and, yes I rode my trainer for 90 mins today, so no I did not slack off !!
Comment by Bryn | 12.2.2005 | 5:06 am
The fact that you said any comments made by Australians for that blog would not carry any weight was mean Fatty. From now on im gonna try and comment on every blog you do regardless of whether i have an opinion or not, call me annoying i know. I personally felt like commenting for 2 reasons1) I live in Australia and you told us not to comment2) I live in Australia and you told us not to comment, mainly beacuse you think it’s too warm over here to have any influence whatsoever. Just so you know Fatty i live in the one place in Australia which is known for its warm weather and sunny beaches, don’t you hate me for putting that image in your mind as you look outside at the cold, wind, snow and icey roads. The bad thing is, it’s actually raining today, but im not too fussed, i have no need or willingness to ride today. Oh how i love the weather!
Comment by Fat Cyclist | 12.2.2005 | 5:53 am
stormcrowe – yeah, he definitely deserves the bag, and a bunch more. i’ll be talking about that tomorrow.the_cosh – it turns out that people whine in finland just like people whine in the UK just like people whine in the US just like people whine in my blog about me whining in my blog. let me know if you need me to draw a diagram. rich – what’s the nfc? seriously, i have no idea. sorry.dug – that’s a good point; i should cross train with a snow-specific sport. doesn’t work for commuting, though. craig – i’m giving you a pass on the whiney thing because you were being cleverly ironic. good show.mark – i’m doing it. i’m just not digging it.tayfur – congrats, man. i think we can do more for you, though.dj – thanks for reading, since september even. man, you’ve got more patience for me than i have. i got lots of offers for rides home today, too. turned ‘em down, too. turns out i had a really good ride. more on that tomorrow. watch out for that cake, man. it’ll make you fat in no time. trust me on this.dkirkavitch – roger on the survival mode thing. i’m afraid i never use hot tubs, though. they gross me out.conejita – actually, i’m your neighbor, and i AM spying on you. sorry.chris – absolutely right, i need to learn to cross country ski. i’m putting that on my list of things to do.tommy – the fenders and the bright light did in fact make a difference. and the super steep grade didn’t turn out to be a problem. the snow didn’t stick on high-traffic roads, at least not in my neck of the woods. hope you made it back home safely.juspasenthru – i very nearly busted out a righteous tirade about the "stop yer whining" thing until i noticed the miami, fl bit at the end of your sig. once again, clever and funny irony. and to think i was getting chapped off about everyone giving me a hard time.cyclingchic – duly noted. hey everyone! sign cyclingchic’s petition!salad dodger – i think you’re talking about hawaii. never been there myself, so don’t know for sure.rocky – a chest cold, eh? that’s awful. you know, i just had my liver removed today — outpatient surgery, did it arthroscopically myself using a soda straw and a dust devil — and still did the bike commute in the snow, ice and rain today. but i’m sure your chest cold is really bad.jake – i was astounded to see everyone clear out when the first few flakes of snow fell today. once i made the decision, i took no small pleasure walking the halls and thumping my chest. botched – "activation energy:" brilliantly descriptive term, and solid analysis of how/when snow riding is fun.TheBeastMom – i hope everyone does ditch work tomorrow. that’ll give me a perfect opportunity to go through their offices and steal their whiteboard erasers. i have a collection of hundreds.bradley – here’s a quick recap of your comment:1. you whine about the hill you live on being too steep to bike on in the cold weather.2. you tell me to stop whining, because the weather here’s usually pretty good.3. you call me a fool for riding in this weather.4. you reiterate that i should stop whining, because the roads will be better soon.5. you ask me to include you in my blogroll of blogging cyclists, although you don’t blog about cycling.does that about cover it?ellrod – so, how’s politics up there?keepyerbag – i didn’t forget the inversion layer. i don’t think i could ever forget that. man, that is some ugly haze. we don’t have inversion here. all our stink blows out to the ocean. plus, we don’t have geneva steel belching filth into the sky nonstop.gussand – well, it sounds like we oughta commute together sometime.
Comment by Fat Cyclist | 12.2.2005 | 6:00 am
BiKnBrYn est 1989 – actually, i just said your comment on whether i should bike home carried no weight. and since you left your comment a good four hours after i had already biked home, it truly did carry no weight. but since you’re a funny guy — what’s up with all these funny australian guys? — i hereby give you permission and encouragement to comment on every single post in my blog. you may regret that commitment later.
Comment by Unknown | 12.2.2005 | 6:43 am
Feelin’ it a bit today, eh Fatty? I know folks get all juiced up when they feel like they headed for an adventure. I imagine you walking the halls of MegaSoft (liver incision still oozing) thinking that you have somehow crossed a threshold into adventure beyond what most would do. It’s not an adventure, mister. It’s a routine. And routines cannot be interrupted; not when impressionable young-er-ish minds are at stake. You are out there as a mutant mailman-like role model–an unstoppable force of nature. And yet you have flirted twice now with not riding when the chips are down. You’re not so tough. The fact that you even questioned riding home is, well, so not tough. And that liver thing is no big deal. Liver-schmiver. I re-assert that you are a pansy.
Comment by Bryn | 12.2.2005 | 8:19 am
Oh, fatty, i feel so honoured that u made a comment about every person who themselves made a comment, but for me you made one separate and special one, lol. The fact that i made my comment 4 hours after u had already left for your commute was because, Im an Australian, remember fatty. I don’t know what time it is in, well i could look through your space and find out wherever you live exactly in the states but with writing all these comments for your blogs fatty, i dont think i’ll be able to find any time. Yeah i guess us Aussies really do have a wierd sense of humour, i guess thats why all you guys like the wiggles and the croc hunter so much, oh well. The day i regret saying i’ll comment on all your blogs i’ll let you know, oh and if i forget to comment one day, don’t think its because i can’t be bothered, its most prob because i couldn’t get to a computer, but i’ll make it up when i can, lol. Wish me luck i guess then :) I still feel so honoured!
Comment by BIg Mike In Oz | 12.2.2005 | 11:48 am
Salad Dodger and BiKnBrYn est 1989 – Thanks for speaking up. I’m sure fatty values YOUR opinion. I’m the Australian with the gag order.Fatty – I arrogantly raise my nose, turn, and stride proudly away knowing I delivered the mail yesterday through a storm that deposited upon me 11 inches of rain in 2 hours. Welcome to the tropical storm season in Australia.P.S. It still never dropped below 65 deg F.
Comment by Ariane | 12.3.2005 | 12:24 am
"What’s up with all these funny Austrailian guys?" They probably got here the same way i did, from Cyclingnews. Isn’t Cyclingnews an Aussie organization? All the prices in their shop are in $AUS, anyway…I don’t know which is worse, catching guff for cycling in the cold from relatives or catching guff for NOT cycling in the cold from other cyclists. My grandfather said this morning as I was leaving, and I quote, "What the hell do you think you’re doing, you crazy jackass?" I said, "Eh? I can’t hear you through this ear wamer."
Comment by Andrew | 12.4.2005 | 1:14 pm
Hey tayfuryagci,Gracious no, I’m not mocking you. I’m jealous of all the attention you’re getting, that’s all. As one tof the posters said, if you get on the wrong side of Fatty and the Aussies (that would make a great name for a rock group, don’t you think?), your keyboard would burst into fire from all the flaming you’d be subjected to. Just a random wisenheimer. Good luck with your cycling.
Comment by Unknown | 12.4.2005 | 7:01 pm
My favourite snowwy ride was one year when we did Settle – Malham – Settle in the Yorkshire Moors. Once we’d got through pasport control, we headed off from Settle. One of guys who was with us for the first time was a former 1st cat road racer. He shot off up the first climb. Lots of spills but noone hurt due to the snow. The final offroad bit came down a steep hill onto a rough track between two drystone walls. We hurtled down it, seven of us chopping and changing the lead. Then the path went from rough snow covered frozen mud, to 30feet of sheet ice. I went down taking the 1st cat guy and another crashing to the ice. Another guy hit a stray bike and ploughed into the wall. All seven of us hit the deck. It took two people standing on the wheel of the bike that went into the wall, just to get it straight enough to go through the forks. We had to disconnect the brake though. We still had a 1 in 5 road ride down into Settle. That night the road guy apparently sat shaking his head, saying we were all mad and he would never go riding with us ever again. He never did.
Comment by laura | 04.17.2006 | 3:20 pm
hi every one i like ur storys im sorry i odnt have any of my own, i like the first one the best it sounded really good i hate the cold thats a good one okes well i better go cathc uses byess from laura