Winter riding is (not) the worst

As always liked the video. Happy riding 🚲🤗

I wavered on getting the Garmin Varia for a long time because it does seem expensive. Finally did get it and I have no regrets. I think you could cover a lot of its functionality with a mirror, but not all of it. Biggest downside is the large number of warning you get in the city.

Those 45nth shoes are the Ragnaroks. I bought a pair prior to the winter of 2019 and LOVE them! Can't recommend them enough (...for appropriate conditions - i.e. not deep snow winter rides).

Re: Garmin rear light/radar; I don't have one, but I have friends who do and they swear by them - especially if you ride roads frequently.

Lol definitely not posted on Christmas

I don’t know the Atlanta area at all - is that riding close enough to ride to it from the city? Or is it a drive or transit out to get to it?

Garmin Varia is 👍. Three versions, just radar (small, short battery life), with light (my go-to for all rides), and the new one that added the camera (lots of meh reviews). Perfect for road riding with the warning to let one know to hug the right a little more (when there isn't a shoulder), always warns me way before I hear them. Good for counting cars when crossing lanes for a left without having to just keep looking over the shoulder. On the Garmin devices there is an IQ add-on that will give you car speeds (absolute and relative) as well a counts and save them to the activity file.

I always wear a mirror on my glasses to watch traffic. I feel naked without it. And it's a HELL of a lot cheaper than a Garmin and doesn't need charging. I used to wear the Pearl Izumi lobster claw gloves when mountain biking down into the 20's that left room for a pair of Hot Hands if needed. Now I live in Phoenix and a simple pair of gloves does good down into the 30's. Thanks!

Good on you for getting out in the cold. As I've learned, suffering is relative. Most Spring and Fall days in Newfoundland are around 0-5°C. I just came back from a ride in Labrador during -27°C (including windchill) and it felt great. Starting cold is important so you don't overheat.

Definitely would watch the Bombora comparison! How did your friend set the "Eat!" Alert on their Elemnt? I have a roam and that would be super useful!

Can't beat Merino, no matter the season, but especially in winter. Any rear light will help visibility (although inattentive/aggressive drivers won't care anyway) and a helmet mirror is a must for me.

The Varia is one of the few devices for cycling that really lives up to the hype, in my opinion. I wouldn't ride without one any more.

(If it's too expensive, there's also a Magene clone that works 99% as well and has a USB-C port for charging instead of micro-USB like the camera-less Varias have.)

Just wear lots of merino wool… unless you’re vegan 😐

I love winter riding and cooking outdoors 😋

I looked at that tail light and rejected it in favor of rear view mirrors. Once you have them you never go back.

Looks like fun. And sunshine, lucky you!

Did the Camelback straw freeze?

I have the taillight. DEFINITELY WORTH IT. I can't even begin to explain how much piece of mind it gives me.

I was a bit lucky and got the Varia when there was deal on (saved £40 or more). Just have the light/radar version but very happy with it as I have a forward facing camera anyway (sent footage to UK Police on 2 occassions and got positive action both times). Don't use it in towns but when out in the country it is outstanding, I still check behind before making turns but the extra piece of mind is worth it.

Hey hey🙂 a bit of a random question, but how are you finding that Nemo Tensor you upgraded to a while back? I'm looking round at new sleeping mats (also coming from a Thermarest). Is it wide enough? Is it noisy to sleep on like a lot of air core pads are? And is it warm enough? How are you liking it?
Your channel rocks!
Gem.

Why are you Queer? What drove you to be that way?

Are you not afraid of GOD?

Fairly new to your channel love the ride videos..

Do you mind asking your friend how they like the crust carbon fork? Was considering upgrading but found out its not made by ENVE like the other one so was curious if the quality is good. Thanks!

wheres the winter At ?

This is not winter riding :D

Back when Velocio wasn't super expensive and bought by SRAM I'd have bought more, but now it's being honestly ridiculously expensive and other brands have similar climate net-zero policies and lower pricing

I have the Magene L508 radar tail light, slightly cheaper than the Garmin and wouldn't ride without on country roads. Less useful in urban settings where cars are passing all the time.
No sympathy at all for the cold weather! About to suffer a few weeks of 30-40C (86 - 104F) temps here in Adelaide, South Australia.....

I have used a Garmin Varia 510 for a couple years and I like the radar a lot. The taillight part of it isn't the best and you can now get just the radar for $149. Nice to see winter riding. I always think it will be awful but once you're out there and the sun is shining it's all good

Not quite as techy or cool, but a $15 bar end mirror and a $20 flashing rear light work as well as a $200 Varia.

Definitely need a comparison video of the Bomboras!

Also I think Dustin Klien has a good video about the garmin taillight!

My friend has one of those Garmins(older model with the camera too) & it's been great from what she has told me. Seems useful for anywhere with cars.
BTW Crust mentioned they are discontinuing the Bombora Enve edition.

What an inspiring winter ride! Thank you to you and Finch for the amazing horse description and cool rundown on the winter layers. You have it nailed for -1C! Well done from a Canadian from Southern Ontario! Funny enough (or not funny really) due to climate change, we up here are having an unusually snow free winter. In fact today I actually got out today on my touring bike (not the commuter with studded tires) and had a glorious ride on a rail trail in +2C which is super strange for Hamilton Ontario Canada in January! Great video! I use a Bontrager Flare R light that is designed to be seen by day zip tied to the back of my helmet. Cars hate it but that makes them give me a wide pass because it is so irritating! Works for me! They cost about $80 CDN but mine has lasted 4 years and saved my life many times!

Vlogging and riding with a friend YAY! Was so glad when we got the rundown on your bikes and gear. Majestic Horses, loved that. It's about 30 degrees here, gotten put on the Marino. Off I go

Thanks!

Oh definitely more videos like this, this was fun! I love seeing people do different kinds of local routes around the world. I live in Finland so this is pretty different kind of weather for me this time of year. We just keep having more and more snow 🤣Looks like a really nice route and horses running around 😍 Also yes would love to see that comparison video on those bike builds and also any kind of bike building video to be honest, I would love to build my own bike some day but that stuff so intimidating.

I enjoy yoy so .uch. you re àmazing and beautiful

I bike 365 days a year. No car. Love your videos

My friend who is in his 70's has the Garmin Varia taillight paired with his Garmin GPS 1000. He swears by it because, 1. He rides solo alot 2. He wears hearing aids and doesn't always hear when it's windy, and 3. It gives his wife peace of mind.
I had an experience once of a half dozen horses run right along the fence line with me as I was sprinting at nearly 30 mph for a half mile, totally awesome.