Winter riding in Prague

[pistolabikescom]

Are you riding through the winter? I posted a "helpful" little guide on my blog here: http://roderage.wordpress.com/2009/11/0 ... d-moaning/


How do you deal with the Prague winter? Share with us, won't you? Everything from where you store your bike to what you wear and how to deal with the bike at work. Seriously, lots of people just give up once winter sets in, but biking can be the best way to go even in the cold - skipping the flu incubator that is public transportation is only one reason.

[salo]

I have the privilege of having a shower at work so I don't worry about getting sweaty or dirty. I wear long
winter cycling thighs, long socks, long sleeved thermo base layer, t-shirt, baggy shorts on top and a thin
bright yellow cycling jacket. Since I ride a few kms uphill I don't wear more or thicker layers, I get plenty
warm anyway. I also got that turtleneck thingie and wear a winter cap under the helmet when it's really
cold, and merino wool gloves. With a change of clothes in my bag (pants, t-shirt, socks, underwear), I keep
a spare thick hoodie or a jacket at work so I don't have to carry it with me back and forth. I mostly just
wear sneakers but I'm thinking of maybe getting some cycling shoe covers which would help when it's wet.
I wash the "plastic" stuff pretty often (base layer, thighs), like every two days or even daily, since the sweat
just stays there..

I put on fenders last week.

In addition to showers, we also have cages around two car parking slots in the underground garage for bike
parking so I don't have to worry about getting the bike stolen or bringing it dirty to the office. Sounds like
a dream, doesn't it?

Also, I mostly stop riding to work when there is just too much snow or the roads are icy, such a wimp I am.

Btw., my commute to work - http://www.bikemap.net/route/348613,
and back home - http://www.bikemap.net/route/348617 (slightly longer)

[pistolabikescom]

That's very cool to have such a decent employer I thought it was Czech law that there is a shower if more than 20 employees are in the office, but maybe they have some way around this...

Bike cages are also great. We got one installed at Vodafone when I worked there - mainly thanks to a really cool VP who also rode. Wish I was that lucky now!

My old commute was from Rooseveltova in Prague 6 to Vinice. That was so much fun in the winter

[Dula]

I did not ride last winter, but you guys gave me courage to try it this one
Starting Monday...

I have a shower at my work as well and I can keep my bike in the corridor just outside my door, so I can keep an eye on it all the day, but no worries we have fingerprint access to building, so in case somebody will steal it I will have fingerprint
I will wear some of my old racing stuff like windproof jacket, thermo gloves and thermo panties (of course some shorts on it, times witout shorts has gone with last race.. )

[pistolabikescom]

man, it's as warm as springtime today

I am ordering one of these things for myself, though:



Anyone have any experience with them? I normally hate masks because of the condensation and difficulty breathing at a normal rate, but these get good reviews...

[salo]

I am ordering one of these things for myself, though:



Anyone have any experience with them?

No idea, but I guess you can always ask this guy:

[pistolabikescom]

I've been looking for those titanium claw things too...

[Dula]

:-D

I've been looking for those titanium claw things too...

That should be usefull for prague's traffic..

[volenet]

man, it's as warm as springtime today

I am ordering one of these things for myself, though:



Anyone have any experience with them? I normally hate masks because of the condensation and difficulty breathing at a normal rate, but these get good reviews...

Wow! Would you let us know if it's any good when it arrives? Where did you find it? Like if it didn't feel alien enough riding through Prague at times.

[volenet]

U-huh. http://www.evanscycles.com/products/respro/city-mask-ec009157?query=masi