Comments on: Winter Commuting in Alaska: Learning to Ride In the Wind — Real Wind http://www.commutebybike.com/2013/01/11/winter-commuting-in-alaska-learning-to-ride-in-the-wind-real-wind/ Tips, Hints, Reviews and Safety for Bike Commuters Fri, 24 May 2013 01:42:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Matt http://www.commutebybike.com/2013/01/11/winter-commuting-in-alaska-learning-to-ride-in-the-wind-real-wind/comment-page-1/#comment-1633280 Matt Mon, 28 Jan 2013 02:08:53 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=22648#comment-1633280 Hey, If you get some serious crosswinds up there and it is relatively desolate maybe you could figure out how to make some kind of kite to take advantage of the wind like these guys did in Australia: http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/24/giant-kite-evonic-wind-explorer-ev-cross-australia/ Hey,

If you get some serious crosswinds up there and it is relatively desolate maybe you could figure out how to make some kind of kite to take advantage of the wind like these guys did in Australia: http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/24/giant-kite-evonic-wind-explorer-ev-cross-australia/

]]> By: Melissa http://www.commutebybike.com/2013/01/11/winter-commuting-in-alaska-learning-to-ride-in-the-wind-real-wind/comment-page-1/#comment-1618475 Melissa Thu, 24 Jan 2013 02:49:27 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=22648#comment-1618475 Shanna, Thanks for sharing how you made those awesome pogies! Now I'll be on the lookout for a suitable coat at the thrift stores. :) Melissa Shanna,
Thanks for sharing how you made those awesome pogies! Now I’ll be on the lookout for a suitable coat at the thrift stores. :)
Melissa

]]> By: Shanna Ladd http://www.commutebybike.com/2013/01/11/winter-commuting-in-alaska-learning-to-ride-in-the-wind-real-wind/comment-page-1/#comment-1598066 Shanna Ladd Sat, 19 Jan 2013 17:27:58 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=22648#comment-1598066 Hi Norm, Tires & Hardware: This week we saw torrential rains on top of ice and snow. I will change tires now to include hardware, a $40 box of screws because my Dilliger tires don’t give enough grip. I’d love to have chains but that option is not available. I have Shimano Deore & Tektro on my bike. Everything has held up incredibly well even with numerous mishaps on the trail. Nothing has broken or had to be replaced Hi Norm,

Tires & Hardware:
This week we saw torrential rains on top of ice and snow. I will change tires now to include hardware, a $40 box of screws because my Dilliger tires don’t give enough grip. I’d love to have chains but that option is not available. I have Shimano Deore & Tektro on my bike. Everything has held up incredibly well even with numerous mishaps on the trail. Nothing has broken or had to be replaced

]]> By: Shanna Ladd http://www.commutebybike.com/2013/01/11/winter-commuting-in-alaska-learning-to-ride-in-the-wind-real-wind/comment-page-1/#comment-1597976 Shanna Ladd Sat, 19 Jan 2013 16:50:02 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=22648#comment-1597976 Hi Joel, I don’t have fenders on my Pugsley at this time but they are on my list to get. I have used goggle to keep water out of my eyes. I have used fenders on my skinny bike. I didn’t have problems with ice/snow accumulating on the fenders when I used the fenders during the previous winter but I park the bikes in my cabin and office. Hi Joel,
I don’t have fenders on my Pugsley at this time but they are on my list to get. I have used goggle to keep water out of my eyes. I have used fenders on my skinny bike. I didn’t have problems with ice/snow accumulating on the fenders when I used the fenders during the previous winter but I park the bikes in my cabin and office.

]]> By: Joel http://www.commutebybike.com/2013/01/11/winter-commuting-in-alaska-learning-to-ride-in-the-wind-real-wind/comment-page-1/#comment-1587192 Joel Thu, 17 Jan 2013 02:47:19 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=22648#comment-1587192 Dear Shanna, Thank you for the information. I am setting up a second bike strictly for ice/snow conditions. My current bike can handle the rest. One last question, (if you are an old fossil like me it will remind you of Peter Faulk in "Columbo"), do you use fenders or do they just ice up from thrown snow and cause problems? I might ride in the morning on frozen water to have it thaw by the time I ride home. Thank you for sharing with us. Dear Shanna,

Thank you for the information. I am setting up a second bike strictly for ice/snow conditions. My current bike can handle the rest.

One last question, (if you are an old fossil like me it will remind you of Peter Faulk in “Columbo”), do you use fenders or do they just ice up from thrown snow and cause problems?

I might ride in the morning on frozen water to have it thaw by the time I ride home.

Thank you for sharing with us.

]]> By: Petrus http://www.commutebybike.com/2013/01/11/winter-commuting-in-alaska-learning-to-ride-in-the-wind-real-wind/comment-page-1/#comment-1585788 Petrus Wed, 16 Jan 2013 18:04:31 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=22648#comment-1585788 I used to have a commute of 15ish miles from Tysons to Alexandria, with 300-odd feet decline on the way home, and the winds were often 20-some mph. Those were some of the best commutes, getting blown home! I used to have a commute of 15ish miles from Tysons to Alexandria, with 300-odd feet decline on the way home, and the winds were often 20-some mph. Those were some of the best commutes, getting blown home!

]]> By: Shanna Ladd http://www.commutebybike.com/2013/01/11/winter-commuting-in-alaska-learning-to-ride-in-the-wind-real-wind/comment-page-1/#comment-1585452 Shanna Ladd Wed, 16 Jan 2013 16:05:50 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=22648#comment-1585452 Hi Graham, The goal of commuting by bike year round has been quite a challenge! I am working on getting my kick-sled-joring option set up. This gives me a very wide base and gives me a lot of control with my feet and hands plus it is fun to have company on the trail! I hope to get set up with a big heavy duty trailer for June thru August hauling. Those are such awesome looking tricycles!! They might do well in the wind! Hi Graham,

The goal of commuting by bike year round has been quite a challenge! I am working on getting my kick-sled-joring option set up. This gives me a very wide base and gives me a lot of control with my feet and hands plus it is fun to have company on the trail!

I hope to get set up with a big heavy duty trailer for June thru August hauling.

Those are such awesome looking tricycles!! They might do well in the wind!

]]> By: Shanna Ladd http://www.commutebybike.com/2013/01/11/winter-commuting-in-alaska-learning-to-ride-in-the-wind-real-wind/comment-page-1/#comment-1585437 Shanna Ladd Wed, 16 Jan 2013 16:00:47 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=22648#comment-1585437 Hi Joel, I use a set of Dillingers studded tires. Tire pressure is not just a good idea, but critical to achieve “grip”. In Alaska winter weather starts in September and goes thru May. During these months I will encounter ice & snow. September is when it is legal to drive with studded tires and is when I would put studded tires on. I try to be as prepared as possible. Without studs it is at times impossible to ride. I have considered the idea of chains, but the chains for my tires are not “perfected” yet. There are problems with the fit so is not an option now. I hope to have this option next year. Preparation has been critical. I like to have things set up so that if the conditions are worse than anticipated I can go with a different option. I try to keep bus/taxi money, a bike lock and cell phone so if things get too difficult I have a back-up plan. This reduces my stress level. Hi Joel,
I use a set of Dillingers studded tires. Tire pressure is not just a good idea, but critical to achieve “grip”. In Alaska winter weather starts in September and goes thru May. During these months I will encounter ice & snow. September is when it is legal to drive with studded tires and is when I would put studded tires on. I try to be as prepared as possible. Without studs it is at times impossible to ride. I have considered the idea of chains, but the chains for my tires are not “perfected” yet. There are problems with the fit so is not an option now. I hope to have this option next year.

Preparation has been critical. I like to have things set up so that if the conditions are worse than anticipated I can go with a different option. I try to keep bus/taxi money, a bike lock and cell phone so if things get too difficult I have a back-up plan. This reduces my stress level.

]]> By: Shanna Ladd http://www.commutebybike.com/2013/01/11/winter-commuting-in-alaska-learning-to-ride-in-the-wind-real-wind/comment-page-1/#comment-1585399 Shanna Ladd Wed, 16 Jan 2013 15:42:33 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=22648#comment-1585399 Hi Melissa, here is the basics: 1. I put the Malamutes and cat outside 2. I ran a piece of red vapor barrier tape down the center of the back of the coat 3. I cut the coat down the back. After that I had 2 ‘L’ shapes. 4. Lap the red tape over the edges so the expensive insulating down does not go everywhere 5. Sew the L shape closed. I used another piece of vapor barrier tape to seal the seam. It is what we have used in our cabin walls. 6. Then, what was once the sleeve of the coat can be pulled over the handle bar of the bike and the body of the coat is where you can put your hands in. 7. I cut an old Elizabethan Dog Collar in half and used the vapor barrier tape to keep the cone in shape and used that to keep the pogie ‘open’. Still a work in progress! Thank you for your encouragement! Hi Melissa,
here is the basics:
1. I put the Malamutes and cat outside
2. I ran a piece of red vapor barrier tape down the center of the back of the coat
3. I cut the coat down the back. After that I had 2 ‘L’ shapes.
4. Lap the red tape over the edges so the expensive insulating down does not go everywhere
5. Sew the L shape closed. I used another piece of vapor barrier tape to seal the seam. It is what we have used in our cabin walls.
6. Then, what was once the sleeve of the coat can be pulled over the handle bar of the bike and the body of the coat is where you can put your hands in.
7. I cut an old Elizabethan Dog Collar in half and used the vapor barrier tape to keep the cone in shape and used that to keep the pogie ‘open’.
Still a work in progress!
Thank you for your encouragement!

]]> By: norm http://www.commutebybike.com/2013/01/11/winter-commuting-in-alaska-learning-to-ride-in-the-wind-real-wind/comment-page-1/#comment-1581494 norm Tue, 15 Jan 2013 17:04:17 +0000 http://www.commutebybike.com/?p=22648#comment-1581494 (oh n/m answer is in <a href="http://www.commutebybike.com/2012/10/25/blizzards-and-meth-labs-and-bears-oh-my/" title="Blizzards and Meth Labs and Bears. Oh my!" rel="nofollow">the previous article</a>, thanks!) (oh n/m answer is in the previous article, thanks!)

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