CYCLING SAMADHI

Below 30 degrees

Today's commute was the first time cycling below 30 degrees. The fact that 20 of the 22 miles are also along a wide stretch of the Hudson River also means that the wind chill factor brings the temp even lower.

For my below 35 degrees Winter Gear I am using the following

MorFit Baselayer  $60 Works incredibly well. Before buying it even in layers I would feel a bit of a chill in certain areas, not anymore.

2008 Cannondale L.E. Jersey $150 Warm, Comfortable, Full Zipper and Feels great

2008 Cannondale Morphis Shell $99 Magically keeps those blustering winds from penetrating to the body. One Major criticism... needs more reflective materials. Oh and the sleeves come off easily to turn the shell into a vest which is great especially when riding through sometimes drastic temperature/weather  changes. As a commuter 6am can be very different from 6pm and it's awesome to have options.

Cannondale L.E. Balaclava (forgot the price) Once again, very pleased with the feel and functionality.

Assos Gloves   (price = ALOT) The hardest things for me to keep warm while riding are fingers and feet so I felt justified in going for what I have heard are the best gloves on the market. My hands didn't feel any cold at all, toasty warm the whole time.

Cannondale L.E. Bootie (forgot the price) I would link to the Cannondale page but it seems they no longer offer these. That's good because they don't work at all. After about 45 minutes your toes are freezing, might as well not be wearing anything. I'm going to have to get something different if I am going to do any long rides on the weekend in this kind of weather.

Today's ride was the normal route...42 miles

Clicking the above map will bring you to my motionbased.com account.

Top Ten Annoyances

Top Ten Annoyances  Commuting to NYC (by bike)

On the Jersey side

10.  The asshole driver(s) blaring their horn at me. Yes I know its 29 degrees out and I am riding along a river. You don't need to beep at me like a mad man, have me pull over just to ask me if I knew how cold it was outside. Don't worry, this is one of the most populated areas on the planet earth, I have the proper cold weather clothing on, I am not going to die from frostbite. However what may affect my safety is you riding as close as you can to me, blaring your horn and forcing me to pull over.

9. At stop lights please don't ask me if "this is the road that goes to the George Washington Bridge?" I have Lobster Claw gloves on and to hear what you are asking me I have to take one off and remove the ipod from my ear. The red blinking light on my helmet and the reflective stripes on my back are not a sign that I am a figure of authority or work for the county, they are safety devices.

8. To the crossing guard lady who must hate cyclists. I know you feel powerful with your hand held stop sign but please realize that the hill we are on is an 18% gradient. I have a backpack full of clothes and books with a ton of winter clothing on. You really don't have to pick when I am halfway up the hill to jump in front of me with your sign to let the kids cross and then scowl at me.

7.  The day laborers at that one corner. Ive passed you many times. It wasn't funny the first time you pretended you were going to grab my handlebars and it's even less funny the 5th time.

6. To the big guy sitting in his SUV drinking a gallon of coffee and smoking cigarettes. I don't know what your job is or why you are always  in the same spot everyday but...please park somewhere else you are blocking the cut curb that allows bikes to enter the George Washington Bridge without having to dismount or hop a large curb.

on the NYC side

5. Dear Mr "plays with his unleashed dog on the steep hill with a blind corner near 175th street on the Hudson greenway" Really? in such a large city is the only place you can find to play with your dog the spot on the Greenway most likely to cause a cyclist-pedestrian cyclist-dog accident?

4. To all joggers. How do you all manage to find the spot on the Greenway that makes it most difficult to pass you on your left or right? Pick a sie please.

3. To  the young female jogger with the sweat pants that say JUICY across the ass. Most may disagree with me on this but I really don't need to stare at your "JUICY" ass 730am in the freezing cold.

2. Dear Mr Park's Department worker. It's really not necessary to use the water hose to clean the Greenway when it is below freezing. The water you are leaving on the Greenway will probably, you know, turn to ice?

1. Dear Mr Lance Armstrong wannabe. Look, I love cycling too and I am all for hard training. But look, at 7am when you see me on my cross bike with a backpack on I am not preparing for the Tour De France. Please don't sneak up behind me and draft, then start shouting at me to "Hold the Line" and "Stop Soft Pedaling." I don't know you, I really don't want to be blocking your wind and also don't need your temper tantrum.