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Chilly Mornings

1/11/2013

6 Comments

 
I always feel a little silly when people ask how we're going to ride through Winter. For goodness sakes, it's Sacramento, not Michigan! I don't have to wear a balaclava or add bike spikes to my tires. The worst things we have to get through are fog and frost (maybe a little wind, some rain here or there, etc.). Granted, I do feel pretty darn proud every time we get out of the house and onto our bikes in less than comfy weather. I will admit that it's more of a challenge these days with the extra layers and accessories. The struggles of shoving a wriggling toddler into a snowsuit that had the brilliant idea of coming in two extra difficult layers. It's like a wrestling match! I consider any morning that we manage to bike without the whiney "I'm cooooooold!" complaint from the back a success. 
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Chilly week ahead!
I did feel silly ordering the snowsuits last fall and although we haven't used them very often, I think they were the perfect option for mornings like these. Today, Big Brother had on three or four long-sleeved shirts, fleece lined pants, snow bibs, two sets of socks, and my fleece. Little Brother (yes, he's screaming in the photo but it's just because I covered his hands and he still wanted to eat) is wearing three shirts, a pair of sweatpants, socks, and his snowsuit that has a separate fleece layer. I tried to keep his hands covered (he doesn't like mittens) but his screaming won and I opened them back up, showing him how to keep his hands tucked into the sleeves. 

Neither one complained! 

My toes however...brrrrr! 

By the way, in case you're wondering, I was wearing wool socks (not enough!), leggings, jeans, two layers of warm base layer shirts, my jacket, scarf, and wind-resistant gloves. I would have changed the shoes that i was wearing (Mary Jane Keens) to something warmer but I had finally gotten Little Brother into his suit and didn't want to have to put him down to tie my shoes. My fingers were also still cold, I should have added a warm layer to my gloves. 
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6 Comments
KYouell link
1/11/2013 02:21:12 am

This is when I feel spoiled to have the bakfiets. I'm not worried about the kids being warm enough, though The Boy won't wear gloves -- but he wants to play with his iPad. I had someone comment on a photo last week asking if all bikes in Portland come with cupholders; that's when I realized that I pedal a Navigator. Totally spoiled.

All of which means you get props for biking year-round in "mild" Sacramento!

Reply
Elle
1/12/2013 11:28:56 am

I do love bakfiets because of the lovely greenhouse warmth they provide! You are totally spoiled and you deserve it!

Reply
Dorie link
1/11/2013 03:34:18 am

I get cold too, even though Northern California is pretty temperate. Merino wool leggings under pants, two pairs of wool socks, etc., and I'm okay everywhere but my hands. Even two layers of gloves aren't enough. (But like Kath's, my kids are fine, happily.)

Reply
Elle
1/12/2013 11:30:01 am

Dorie, you're also spoiled! :) You can't go wrong with wool! I need to increase my woolen wardrobe. Mine is too full of cotton and synthetics. That requires a lot of layers to keep warm!

Reply
Ezra link
1/11/2013 09:25:44 pm

I always wear wool socks, and they're great(mostly because they're so comfortable), but as you say it really depends on the shoes I'm wearing too. Sometimes I can be freezing with just one layer of socks, or super warm depending on the shoes. I'm lucky because I just worry about my own feet and hands, not any one else's.

So absolute props for biking year round with the kids no matter where you are!

Reply
Elle
1/12/2013 11:34:24 am

It would be much easier if it was just myself. I actually like being a little on the chilly side. Layering up everyone takes quite a long time. I"m not sure if that gets easier or harder once they start doing it on their own.

Great post about your own winter commute, Ezra! Thanks for sharing! I love showing others that it's possible for ANY commute.

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