by "WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
Published 11/13/2017 at 09:30
by "WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
Published 11/13/2017 at 09:30
Tags: freezing fog
; happy monday
; I'm awake now
STARS: 1
So, today was the first day that I’m DD’ing the E46 convertible, since my wife returned her leased car this past weekend, and we haven’t gotten the replacement yet. A little bit foggy and right around freezing as I left, so I’m driving gingerly, especially with my 15 month old son sleeping in the back seat.
As I’m slowing down to turn into my in-laws’ subdivision, I’m braking gently (!), and at least 2 wheels lock up at 20-25 MPH. OK, I was expecting it to be a bit slippery, but this is ridiculous. Not that dramatic, as there were no cars around, road was straight, etc., but still not what I was expecting.
After I dropped him off, I had the rear going sideways through 3 gears on that same stretch of road, because fun - and I don’t get many opportunities to do that in a 3,400 lb, 168 HP car...
Stay safe Oppo!
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
11/13/2017 at 09:43, STARS: 1
Top down, right? ;)
"E90M3" (e90m3)
11/13/2017 at 09:50, STARS: 2
A college friend has his mom’s E46 convertible for a week becasue his car was in the shop. It was December and freezing in ATL and we had to go to the Apple store to get my computer fixed. Since I didn’t have a car, he was going to take me. We got to the car and both were decided that we needed to ride around with the top down since, well we can’t do this everyday. I remember coming back on the highway and this guy in a Tundra pulls up beside us, points and nods his head in approval.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
11/13/2017 at 09:59, STARS: 2
Nice. I am nodding my head as well.
One Christmas morning when my parents still had the Celica convertible, my dad gets me up for a drive. We tool around the back roads bundled up with the heater blasting (top down) in sub zero for an hour. We passed a cyclist. I felt reassured that there was at least one person on the road verifiably dumber than we were.
"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
11/13/2017 at 10:07, STARS: 2
Once you get going on a bike, it’s hard to stay cool. Fingers and toes can be an issue, but it’s really easy to get over-heated in the winter without the right gear. My winter top layer has huge vents front and back that can be closed with zippers. After I get warmed up, all zippers are set to full-open.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
11/13/2017 at 10:27, STARS: 1
Haha - my wife would wring my neck if I did that with the little guy in the back seat.
Although, I do have to roll both side windows down to get him in and out of it.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
11/13/2017 at 10:28, STARS: 2
It’s the fingers that are a bitch, though - the rest of it is no problem, like you say—
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
11/13/2017 at 10:33, STARS: 1
Mine has heated seats - with the windows up and heat/seat heaters blasting, it can be pretty comfortable, especially if the sun is out.
Where I get skittish is in raising the top back up in the cold —
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
11/13/2017 at 10:52, STARS: 0
Me too. Core body is not the problem. My problem areas are fingers, and also nose and especially ears. If I don’t take good care of my ears, I get a bad headache really quickly. I’m sure my toes are frozen too, I just can’t tell (which means I have to take extra care with them).
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
11/13/2017 at 10:54, STARS: 1
Hehe. I was thinking after dropping him off, but I bet he’d enjoy the ride too. Until he gets too cold.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
11/13/2017 at 10:58, STARS: 1
He was asleep, I’m sure that would have woken him up!
Didn’t even cross my mind actually. Maybe if I run out at lunchtime, it’ll be sunny and 43 then.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
11/13/2017 at 11:00, STARS: 1
43? Well, you’ll get partial credit for that at least.
"shop-teacher" (shop-teacher)
11/13/2017 at 11:01, STARS: 1
Interesting. No such treachery on my commute at the same time, just a few miles north of you.
"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
11/13/2017 at 11:05, STARS: 2
Ears are always difficult to deal with. It’s hard to find good headware with the right combination of wind block and ventilation.
I can see where not being able to feel your toes would be a big problem in the winter.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
11/13/2017 at 11:05, STARS: 0
Yeah, I drove from CH to Willowbrook, then up to O’Hare, and there were some patches here and there - - the specific spot where it happened was a low spot, in the shade, crossing a creek, so about the worst case scenario for that. And, there was an accident on the road about 1/2 mile north of where this happened (accident was right by Hinsdale Central HS).
But if the sun was hitting the road, it was perfectly dry.
The car has all season tires that are only 2-3 years old, and maybe 4k miles on them - so it’s not a summer tire issue.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
11/13/2017 at 11:08, STARS: 1
Hehe - the only question is whether or not I can find the time to get out for a bit. But I need to, to fill the tank and check the tire pressure - I’m sure they’re on the low side, since it was probably 40 degrees warmer when they were last checked.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
11/13/2017 at 11:59, STARS: 0
My favorite is my neoprene Nashbar headband.
Being in Texas helps. I also set a low temp cutoff of about 50F, although I’m known to ignore that if I really want to go out.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
11/13/2017 at 11:59, STARS: 1
There’s your excuse reason.
"TheRealBicycleBuck" (therealbicyclebuck)
11/13/2017 at 12:10, STARS: 1
Nashbar gear can be hit or miss. I bought one of their rainsuits only to find the zipper cover was set up backwards (the flap opens from left to right instead of right to left). I kept it because it’s an occasional-use item, but it drives me bonkers when I have to adjust the zipper.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
11/13/2017 at 12:34, STARS: 1
Hit or miss is spot on. I only buy their stuff when I already know it, or if there are lots of customer reviews about the item. Fortunately, cyclists are good at posting those.