This week finally brought the feel of winter to NYC streets. The wind reached inside and straight to the bones. The light was thin but blinding in the mornings, fast and short in the late afternoons. It’s tough when the sun’s setting by 4:30 and the avenues are filled with edgy taxis. The steam from my breath at red lights makes me feel a part of Con Edison’s underground network, sprouting my exertions up and out through the pavement too.
Morning commute temps ranged from 20′s to 30′s, and I tried a variety of gear to be comfortable and warm. Fingers are the hardest, because of the wind chill I guess, and they’re so isolated. I’m seriously tempted by the “lobster” style of gloves like these:
At least some of your fingers get company for warmth. Pearl Izumi makes one with two and two that I’ve heard good things about. For now, I’m using old snowboarding gauntlets that aren’t bad but a bit too thick in the fingers. A thin balaclava under a BMX helmet seems pretty good for the head (I’m only riding for 30 minutes each way), and my trusty Keene sneaker/shoes with wool socks do alright for the feet (another vulnerable spot on a bike in winter). I get pretty warm through the rest of my body, and have been just wearing loose jeans, or sometimes thermal bottoms underneath. My trusty Marmot insulated softshell over a winter biking jersey does a decent job of wicking moisture off me as I go, though by the time I hit midtown traffic I am working on my own terrarium. If I get out early enough I can usually squeeze in a quick swim at the Y before a hot shower, dry off in the sauna, and get to my desk around 9.
At that point, I’m ready to eat every scrap of food stashed near my desk, yogurt and granola and frozen berries, dried fruit and nuts. Sometimes a banana and an apple. On Wednesdays, there’s a great farmer’s market on 47th where I can pick up veggies and fruit after swimming. Lately the carrots have been a dream of crunchy, sweet and almost juicy. The apples and pears are delicious too.
Ironically, when I walk out for lunch, I feel much colder than when I’m pumping on the bike. But really, I’m just excited for Solstice so that I’ll know the light and warmth are coming back. I’m determined to make it all the way through the winter on the bike this year, though I haven’t sprung for those Schwalbe snow tires yet…
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