"You're Crazy!"

My winter commuter look!




This morning was -7 C. I believe it's a record temperature, for me, to ride my bike. The weather looks even colder for the next few days. Snow is in the forecast. And, I'm not ready to walk ...just yet!

The last time I walked to work was last December where the snow fell and we were snowed in for a few weeks. Walking is not my favorite way to commute. I'd rather ride. Even, Guy (le Grimpeur) said I was tough like my Albertan heritage. Call it a stubborn willingness not to bend to the weather.


1960...
Bahamontes looking spiffy.


Thats my commuting look. What you don't see is that I have layers on underneath. And that winter vest keeps my body core warm. I'm not immune from jabs at work. My boss have said, "you're crazy!" to me a number of times. Makes me even tougher. I'm taking it as a complement.

What is interesting is what other riders wear on a winter ride. Back in the earlier days, the fifties/sixties that is, riders wore predominately wool garments. And what caught my eye was knicker bockers or knickers. Pants above the knee offset with long wool socks. Socks look like a pair for cross country skiing that I had growing up in Alberta. I like the urban style.



1964...
Vittorio Adorni (second from right) with knickers.

Comments

Cote d'Azur said…
I love riding in the cold. Layers and hills. Ride up Royal Oak from Marine Drive and you'll warm up fast.
Richard said…
that sounds like a ride!
Anonymous said…
Tough as Nails!
I rode this morning at 6:30! Crazy Canucks!
Jason said…
Take it easy on those icy roads.

P.S Your looking good in those winter threads!
Richard said…
thanks Jason, I feel that I look like the Michelin man!
Jim said…
I love the woolen clothes I used to wear in the 70s. Wool shorts and jerseys in the summer, wool knickers and wool tights in the winter, along with an Italian wool cycling cap with ear flaps. But I have to say I love the lightness and comfort of the Rapha and Assos winter gear I wear now. Just as warm, warmer even, and light. My ride was 1 C this morning in flurries. But Vancouver takes it for cold and wet. Brr!
Richard said…
You know someone would make a killing designer knickers for cycling I for one would buy a pair! I'm planning to ride tomorrow am. Flurries are forecast!
Sprocketboy said…
On Thursday I set my Personal Best for the month as it was -29C with the windchill on my ride to work here in Ottawa. Of course, the faster you go, the colder it gets so I did not manage much more than 15 km/h before the ice cream headache started.
Richard said…
That's a frozen popsicle story. And I thought -7 C was cold!