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I have walked in that temperature. Its only something the young and very healthy can do, and the wind cuts like a knife. I wouldn't bike in that weather due to

by Noos 9y ago

I have walked in that temperature. Its only something the young and very healthy can do, and the wind cuts like a knife. I wouldn't bike in that weather due to wind chill and the slushy nature of most roads, as well as the fact its very hilly where I live. I cannot see an entire society doing this, in areas that range from small towns to medium sized cities.

nemetroid 9y ago
> I have walked in that temperature. Its only something the young and very healthy can do, and the wind cuts like a knife. The wind doesn't cut through proper clothes. I try to avoid the roads as well, but the bike paths work well where I live, even when the temperature goes down to -20°C.
emj 9y ago
You just need some extra clothes to handle -18°C no problem at all IMHO, and as long as the temprature is below freezing you will have no problem with shitty roads. I would say the winter is the best season to bicycle, you can go everywhere.
- sethammons 9y ago
  I'm going to assume you're unfamiliar with being poor. I recall my shoe's sole could flap open and let in snow and the only clothes I had were the pair of jeans that I had on (that were wet from snowmelt) and a crappy jacket. Just getting some extra clothes was not as easy as going down to REI. And if the weather fluctuates from below freezing to above, you have unforgiving ice that cannot be cycled upon. Sorry for an off topic rant. Being poor and cold and cycling struck a cord from my youth.
  - emj 9y ago
    That type of weather is not the norm, the amount of potential misery days on bicycle can be counted on one hand in a year, and it's easy to alleviate and make them potentially enjoyable. Please try it again it's not really the same experience if you choose to do it. All your problems described above are easy to solve, if you have resources to buy a car[1]. Ice bark roads are navigable with cheap winter tires (it does take you 40% longer to traverse though). I need to have a change of clothes and layers. good gloves, shoes and socks are vital below -12° if you bicycle for and 1 hour in such conditions it's going to hurt alot. [1] You might need to sell the car though, which might not be an option, but in the long run you should come out ahead

by Noos 9y ago

nemetroid 9y ago

> I have walked in that temperature. Its only something the young and very healthy can do, and the wind cuts like a knife. The wind doesn't cut through proper clothes. I try to avoid the roads as well, but the bike paths work well where I live, even when the temperature goes down to -20°C.

emj 9y ago

You just need some extra clothes to handle -18°C no problem at all IMHO, and as long as the temprature is below freezing you will have no problem with shitty roads. I would say the winter is the best season to bicycle, you can go everywhere.

sethammons 9y ago
I'm going to assume you're unfamiliar with being poor. I recall my shoe's sole could flap open and let in snow and the only clothes I had were the pair of jeans that I had on (that were wet from snowmelt) and a crappy jacket. Just getting some extra clothes was not as easy as going down to REI. And if the weather fluctuates from below freezing to above, you have unforgiving ice that cannot be cycled upon. Sorry for an off topic rant. Being poor and cold and cycling struck a cord from my youth.
- emj 9y ago
  That type of weather is not the norm, the amount of potential misery days on bicycle can be counted on one hand in a year, and it's easy to alleviate and make them potentially enjoyable. Please try it again it's not really the same experience if you choose to do it. All your problems described above are easy to solve, if you have resources to buy a car[1]. Ice bark roads are navigable with cheap winter tires (it does take you 40% longer to traverse though). I need to have a change of clothes and layers. good gloves, shoes and socks are vital below -12° if you bicycle for and 1 hour in such conditions it's going to hurt alot. [1] You might need to sell the car though, which might not be an option, but in the long run you should come out ahead