December 2025 Photos

[Brent Knepper]

snowy atlantis ride! 5" and still falling, made it a whole 6 miles ☺

-Brent, in a hudson valley

[Steve]

Nice pic with the Atlantis against the mural - I like it!.     

So....6 miles at 4 mph, or ?  (says the guy who whimped on attempting snow rides a several tears back)

Steve in AVL

[Jay]

Way to kick off December, Brent.  I'm glad you did, I couldn't have topped either photo.

I would love to post a photo, but last two rides (1st and today) were sub-10C and I didn't want to take off my gloves.  Roads were nice and dry on Monday and I had the Roadini out.  Today I took out the Fargo with studded tires as there was too many spots with black ice, snow.  Funny thing is it was quite a mix, so I would ride around looking for snow/ice.  People were doing double-takes, thinking I'm pretty whack!

[Brent Knepper]

thanks pals! Steve, yeah that sounds about right. Strava said I was going just a bit faster overall but I took nice plowed downhill route to get back home

Jay, better to keep the gloves on for sure. sounds like you found a good way to keep yourself entertained!

[ascpgh]

December did come in strongly. Kudos, Brent, for getting out in it and photographing the moment. 

I'm with Jay and have kept my gloves on during my snowy, dark commutes these last few days. I've been reminded how much a blanket of snow adds to the ambient lighting of familiar surroundings during winter's expanded stretches of daily darkness. 

The last few winters we've had deep, winter-like weather in early December, followed by long, mild stretches. We'll see how long the studded Marathon tires stay on this year.  

Andy Cheatham

Pittsburgh

On Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at 6:11:27 PM UTC-5 Jay wrote:

[Kesler Roberts]

Winter is here in Massachusetts!

[Ted Durant]

Warmed up to mid-20's today, with modest wind, clear skies and mostly clear roads, so I snuck in a one hour ride along the river with Pink Bunny.  More snow expected tonight. The roads are well salted.

Ted Durant

Milwaukee, WI USA

[John Dewey]

A fine day by the bay. And, thankfully, no ice anywhere nearby.

Jock 

[Jason Fuller]

Landing squarely between the last two photos weather-wise, today was around 40F and drizzling. I liked this view - the path most take vs the path I took. 

[Piaw Na]

I neglected to take pictures of my bike yesterday, but here's the scene on Page Mill Road at 10:00am. (There's good reason Soma, Specialized, Rivendell, Ritchey are all based in the Bay Area)

Video link here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/pt1TZG7zvcj3bbQL7

[John Dewey]

That’s a most delightful tree tunnel. 

On a hot afternoon in North GA, tree tunnels always offered some welcome cool. 

Jock

On Sun, Dec 7, 2025 at 7:58 AM Piaw Na <pi...@gmail.com> wrote:

I neglected to take pictures of my bike yesterday, but here's the scene on Page Mill Road at 10:00am. (There's good reason Soma, Specialized, Rivendell, Ritchey are all based in the Bay Area)

Video link here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/pt1TZG7zvcj3bbQL7

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[Keith Paugh]

What a beautiful morning in the foothills!

k.

On Dec 7, 2025, at 7:59 AM, Piaw Na <pi...@gmail.com> wrote:

I neglected to take pictures of my bike yesterday, but here's the scene on Page Mill Road at 10:00am. (There's good reason Soma, Specialized, Rivendell, Ritchey are all based in the Bay Area)

Video link here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/pt1TZG7zvcj3bbQL7

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[Hoch in UT]

Crispy cool Sunday morning ride. Recently purchased a Carradice Camper LF but doesn’t really fit the bagman support. I need to get a small rack to keep the bag off of the tire. 

[Kesler Roberts]

Very nice!  I also have a Camper LF and cut a piece of thick plastic (from some packaging) the size of the bag's floor and that gives it a little more structure.  It's pretty amazing how much you can fit into the camper.

[DTL]

Hoch, those Ortho Bars look so wide and luxurious from that riding POV!

[Piaw Na]

Photos from yesterday (Russian Ridge Open Space Preserve)

[Jason Fuller]

Got out for ~56km of as much trail/path as I could string together, punctuated by side roads. Somewhat ironically, the only decent driveside I took of the Bombadil was when I was documenting the first time I got chain suck with it (over 10,000 km on it, so this is pretty good!!).  

I stopped for a mid ride relax in the hammock as well, watching the light slowly fade. A really nice way to spend a dry, mild (8-10C) day in December! 

[Scott Garrison]

Cold cloudy December day for my inaugural ride on my new Sam. Love it!

[Hoch in UT]

DTL, yes, going from Albatross, which I've had for years, to Orthos has been overall positive.  As long as you get the stem length and grip angle right, it's a great set up!

[Hoch in UT]

Thanks, that's a good idea.  I had a Riv Sackville that had some corrugated plastic as the base that worked well.  Thanks for the tip.

[Jay]

These photos without snow are making me sad.  This morning the feels like was -23C.  I rode the trainer.  Then did a workout.  I did get out yesterday on the Fargo with studded tires but that was a mess beyond comprehension.  Still removing salt from everywhere it could have landed.  Thankfully, Roadini was safe at home.  No photos today.

Scottie - great looking Sam.  I love that colour.  Those sidewalls are so clean, can't wait to see them get dirty!

Jason - can I come visit! ;-)  8-10C, I would wear shorts and l/s jersey and would probably sweat after I've now acclimated to temps out this side of Canada.

[Piaw Na]

Took my wife (on her new Ritchey Montebello https://blog.piaw.net/2025/12/building-xiaoiqins-ritchey-montebello.html) out to Calero County Park for a smooth flowy gravel ride and she snapped this picture of me on my Roadini. Yes, the downtube shifter slowed me down enough that my wife with her superior shifting easily kept up with me. Whoever claims electronic shifting doesn't make a difference doesn't ride the kind of terrain that's available in Calero county park.

[Ben Miller]

Apologies in advance Jay 😞 

Finished cabling up Stephanie's new-to-her Rambouilet yesterday, so we took our Twin Rams out for a spin up Twin Peaks today. She must have liked it cause she took off like a rocket up Twins after the turn. Made me work to reel her back in just before the summit 😁 

We are waiting on some bartape to truly complete the build. But so stoked that she has her own Ram now, a frame that I think it truly one of the Rivendell masterpieces. 

[Piaw Na(藍俊彪)]

Love the blue theme. I bet the handlebar tape will be blue as well? 

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[Ben Miller]

Piaw, you know it :) Stephanie has BTP woven bar tape in blue in the mail! Glad you like the blue :) I've been wanting an excuse to use that blue splatter Crust heartbreaker crank for a awhile now!

[Jonathan Carmack]

I built up this used frame that I got via the group, the day before I finished building it we got snow so didn’t get out (in the slush) until this weekend.  As it happens this route goes by a farm that has some of the Appaloosa (my wife told me, she’s a horse person—equestrian?).  I plan to use this bike for Rockstar next year which is a “race” from Harrisonburg to Roanoke, not a formal event, no official start, etc.  Picture taken from Suplinick Ridge, overlooking the hollow that runs alongside the North Mountain range and WV.  Which is sort of the border of the blue ridge and Allegheny.

Jon in Shenandoah/DC

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[Dan]

This evening was the last 'Waterfall Gully Wednesday' of the year.

It was 35 degrees celcius today and is forecast for 39 tomorrow. Thankfully, this gully is much cooler than the city proper.

The Roadini is feeling great. With recent changes (TRP RRL levers, bar-end shifters, padded Newbaums tape, new brake pads up front) the fit feels good and I feel like I can rely on it going both up and down hill. I've ridden it 2,300+ km since I got it this year which is an achievement considering I have 4 other bikes! I am sure the Roadini and I will share many more km to come.

Roadini with some of the crew I ride with on Wednesdays. Nice people all around, 95% who are much much faster than me.

[Damon Lee]

Dan the Roadini looks great, and right at home with that colour in 'the bush' haha. 

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[Gordon Stam]

That's a good looking Roadini.

[Gordon Stam]

Another picture without snow. In a good year this trail would be groomed for skate skiing. Oh well, we make the best of it. Taken a week ago on the 10th. (And we'll hope the link works.)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WIv70bKQLqY72ROi7qZTDzmn6OZjZwdI/view?usp=sharing

[JohnS]

Link worked Gordon, awesome vista, thanks for sharing.

[Kesler Roberts]

Not a Riv but it is steel.  I put this Monocog back together last year to be my pond ice machine the few days we get for that most years.

[Jay]

I don't have a picture to post but I'm really hoping I'll have something tomorrow!  Trying to be positive that I'll be able to get out there on my Roadini (assuming the roads stay clear, as they are now).  Worst case, I hope to get out on the Fargo with studded tires.  Yesterday got up to 9C but I went skiing up north.  Had a great time, but half the time I'm thinking of cycling lol.

Love the lake photo above.  It shows we can deal with the hand we're dealt and make the most of it.

I also like Dan's Roadini with the two bar-tape colours.  I'm going to replace mine next year, but struggling to find the right colour for dark gold roadini, with as much cushion as I get get.  My hands are sensitive and I usually use 3-3.2 with gel pad underneath.  The thought of paper thin (but stylish) tape (e.g., Newbaum) has me thinking I'll regret it.

[Dan]

Thank you Jay and others for the kind words.

I think eggplant and maroon would look great on a dark gold Roadini too!

I used to have the same colours in unpadded Newbaums but this is now the padded version and it really is more comfortable, even if it does look a bit chunkier.

[Steve]

I'm thinking I should add a few more pics to the December thread before I suddenly find myself in the year 2026.  So, some shots taken during an extremely leisurely ride on a cloudy day in the upper 40s. I especially like the two of the bridge; one taken from the ridge  above it  (zoomed in to the point of pixelation) and the second one from below with my bike parked on it.  

Steve in AVL

[Jay]

Nice to have Leo out there after two weeks of being hidden away in the basement.  I had bought some removable fenders and still need to dial them in, so I didn't have them today.  But it was okay, when I got home the bike looked nearly perfect, but still needed a wipe down and rag work on the drivetrain.  10 minutes well spent.  It was cold as the Garmin shows (plus some wind), but I dressed well and had a great 90 minute ride.  Long term forecast looks okay and I'm off after the 24th, so I'm hoping we close out December strong and start the new year on two wheels.

Mental sanity restored!

[Ted Durant]

I'm on track for one of my lowest December totals on record.  Lots of reasons for that, but one of them is that I'm getting pickier about weather as I get older. Today turned out to be pretty nice, 40F at the start, and the clouds cleared away for most of the two hours I was out. The wind was a moderate 15-25 mph, and out of the west, so I could ride mostly N-S and have a cross-wind. Happily some rain washed the roads a bit, and I was glad to be able to ride the Chapman. The town of Thiensville is decorated for the holidays, and the Milwaukee River is frozen in parts but there's a good amount of water that's moving along.

Top tip for people posting ... when you reply to someone else's post, please delete all the stuff that's not yours unless you want to explicitly quote someone.

Ted Durant

Milwaukee, WI USA

[ascpgh]

Great pics and fantastic surroundings, Jon. 

December is so unpredictable weather-wise in the mid-Atlantic. Trying to get in a ride at a particular place when the conditions are nice is tough. I love the Blue Ridge region, but the travel time limits the brief riding opportunities in your pictures.

I was hooked after a trip to my grandmother's sister's home above Luray, VA. Her husband was the superintendent of the Shenandoah National Park and lived in one of the homes in the headquarters loop area. 

Andy Cheatham

Pittsburgh 

[Jay]

I hear you, Ted.  As I get older, I get colder!  

I'm really busy and stressed at work though, so these rides are great for my mental health.  Getting out when the conditions are not great, when no other cyclists are out there, actually makes me enjoy the ride a little more, like I'm not taking the easy way out, I'm facing a challenge.

I got out for a ride second day in a row.  Temp was same as yesterday, -6C but the wind was stronger.  I felt great though (and was charged with the feeling of getting outside for a ride), and pushed harder which kept me warm.  And I cooked it on the way back home, down wind.

Happy Winter Solstice!

[Tony Lockhart]

Sam visiting the Claremont Colleges today. 

[Kesler Roberts]

I installed the Dynamo light yesterday so had to get out and use it tonight. 

[RichS]

These December pictures are invigorating. Predicted 68 degrees in ATL on Christmas Day. Nothing I can contribute with icy, snowy surroundings. 

January is sometimes good for a few days of real winter weather. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow:-)

Best,

Rich in balmy ATL

[Brent Knepper]

been a snowy december in the hudson valley. great for cross country skiing! a light snow as falling most of the day here and I was happy to get out on the wallkill valley trail for the afternoon :)

Brent in NY

[Gordon Stam]

Taking advantage of a slack snow year. Park City Ski area in the background has what looks to be a single run open from the top to the bottom. Through binoculars you can see the skiers coming town like little black dots, weaving back and forth. 

The Clem has been a worthy steed in these adventures. This particular trail is in Round Valley,  north and east of PC.

[Dan]

Please tell me those Christmas lights are being run off your dynamo! 🤪

It's the first day of my holidays here so a friend and I went out for a ride. It's a cool spell as we often get here around Christmas, when the cool air from the Southern Ocean wins out over the hot northerly from the desert. The morning was around 19 degrees in the city and 13-14 degrees up in the hills. Perfect riding weather. And the Appaloosa is such a good bike. It'll go anywhere if you don't mind being bumped around a bit!

The Fleecer Ridge Endurance tyres performed very well. Only a slight reduction in off-road grip in exchange for slightly faster on-road rolling compared to the Ultradynamico Mars I had on earlier.

[Christopher Young]

We are having an unbelievably warm December here in ABQ with temps into the 60s and no snow at all. Not good overall as we need a good snowpack in the mountains or we'll have a dangerous fire season next Summer, but it has made for excellent biking. Yesterday I road my new (to me) Clem 64 out to Corrales (far north valley) and back, a total of 47 miles, including 20+ miles along dirt roads and single tracks in the Bosque. Fantastic! I love this bike! I didn't see many other bikers on those dirt trails, but the few I saw were all riding plastic bikes with huge knobby tires, suspension, etc. I love the looks I get (pity? bewilderment?) tooling along on my beautiful steel bike.

Happy holidays all!

Chris Y.

ABQ

P.S. thanks to those that advised me to go for a 64 cm Clem over the 59. It took a while to find one, but I am so glad I did.

[Piaw Na]

Happy holidays. May all your rainy rides come with rainbows like ours did today.

[Kim H.]

@Piaw,

Great picture!

Are you riding towards El Camino Real on San Antonio Road ?

If so, my father designed the idea of planting olive trees down the median, when he was the Civil Engineer of Los Altos back in the mid to late 1960's.

Kim Hetzel. 

On Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 2:29 PM Piaw Na <pi...@gmail.com> wrote:

Happy holidays. May all your rainy rides come with rainbows like ours did today.

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[Piaw Na(藍俊彪)]

On Thu, Dec 25, 2025 at 2:58 PM Kim H. <krhe...@gmail.com> wrote:

Great picture!

Are you riding towards El Camino Real on San Antonio Road ?

Towards Moody/El Monte on Covington Ave

 

If so, my father designed the idea of planting olive trees down the median, when he was the Civil Engineer of Los Altos back in the mid to late 1960's.

Thank him for me if you can! 

[Brian Turner]

Happy Holidays, everyone. Anyone else finding the time to get out for a ride on this Christmas Day? I managed to sneak in an 8 mi loop while my wife napped on the couch.

Brian
Lexington KY

[ascpgh]

Nice, Brian. That looks like the causeway of Lakeshore Drive. I poked around out there in the late 90s when I was a 40502er. Glad you got your miles in. Mine have been back and forth from work for the past few days. 

Water and shorelines really accentuate the seasons and time of day.  My dog and I walk a daily loop around the reservoir in the park near our house (on a pedestrian-only promenade) to enjoy the water views.

 

Andy Cheatham

Pittsburgh

[Brian Turner]

Thanks, Andy. Yes, that’s the same causeway. It’s a nice little hilly loop from my front door with a bare minimum 8 miles if I’m looking to simply get out, but not commit. It’s one of a few places in town that feel like you’re somewhere else entirely. I like finding those spots.

Brian

Lexington KY

Nice, Brian. That looks like the causeway of Lakeshore Drive. I poked around out there in the late 90s when I was a 40502er. Glad you got your miles in. Mine have been back and forth from work for the past few days. 

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[Jay]

Christmas Eve afternoon on the Roadini.  It was a perfect day: clear roads, sunny, not very cold.  The b&w photo is my favourite this year that I've taken.  I snuck in a ride on the Fargo on Christmas Day, before anyone was up.

[Jay]

Nice photo, Andy.  I like the ice in the foreground, the building and then the sunset.

[Patrick Moore]

~14 mostly dirt miles rt to church and back; tired, as I think I’m fighting off the flu that put my daughter in bed for 2 days. I feel even tireder and have more of a cough today, but I hope a day or so of rest will keep me from a relapse of the 8-day flu from 2-3 weeks ago.

[Kim H.]

@Piaw,

Forgive me for not recognizing the road that you were on. It looked like San Antonio Road. However, upon looking at your picture on my laptop, it is clear that it was not San Antonio Road. I had to do some homework to get a more clear idea where you were headed; Moody Road in the foothills via Covington towards El Monte. 

I clearly remember with very fond memories of riding my Raleigh 3-speed bicycle in the rain to Pinewood Private School underneath the canopy of old growth Peruvian red pepper trees along Covington Road between Campbell Avenue and Covington Elementary School smelling the peppercorns breaking open as I rode over them with my tires. 

I would thank my father for designing the median down San Antonio Road, unfortunately, he has passed. He was very pleased to see it happen.

Enjoy !

Happy Holidays to you,

Kim Hetzel.

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[Jason Fuller]

Today was +3C and partly cloudy, about as nice as one can expect around here this time of year for cycling so I got out for the whole afternoon. This captures winter in Vancouver pretty well - no snow down low but snowy mountains in the background 

[ascpgh]

Hope you feel back to shape soon, Patrick. It's been a season of serial illnesses around here, too, speaking less personally but professionally. Everyone seemed to find a case of Influenza A under the tree on Christmas Day. 

Andy Cheatham

Pittsburgh

[Andrew Letton]

A couple of shots from today's ride in Bouddi National Park, about an hour north of Sydney. 

Feeling pretty blessed to be able to ride my (newly rebuilt/repainted) '99 All-Rounder in this magical land.

Only 31.4km (19.5mi) but with 822m (2700ft) of climbing...and I have the aching knees to prove it!

Lots more photos in my Strava, if you're in to that kinda' thing:  https://www.strava.com/activities/16850935029/

Cheers,

Andrew in Ettalong Beach, NSW, Australia

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[Mike Rossi]

Christmas brought me a dynamo setup for my Atlantis, so I spent most of my time off from work wiring it up. I’m 95% satisfied with my results. The rear light connection, specifically the ground wire, could look a little neater, but everything is functioning well. That was quite a chore. It’s the third day of Christmas, and 70 F. in South Carolina. Maybe the new year will bring some snow. My lugged Susie (and 4x4 pickup) is wanting to play. Here’s the Atlantis on the weekly donut run.

[Christopher Young]

Andrew, 

what a gorgeous bike and view of the ocean! So many beautiful shades of blue. I've been to Oz several times, including to NSW and those pix bring back some fond memories.

Chris Y.

ABQ

[Patrick Moore]

Thank you, Andy. As it turned out, I was hit hard on Friday, suffered Friday night, and am bearing up on Saturday with a horrible dry, itchy cough and leaking sinuses. But Sat at 10 am MT is better than Fri at 10 pm MT. We’ll see.

My ex-wife, with whom and my also-sick daughter, I had Xmas dinner, is a MD and DOM (Dr of Oriental Medicine) and has supplied me with potions that seem to help.

I’m glad I got a short Xmas Day ride in.

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[Jason Fuller]

Hope all those who have gotten sick the past days are on the mend, there's a lot going around! Including good ol' COVID of course, of which I'm recovering from myself. Yesterday was my first ride in 9 days due to it, and today I got out again, but I'm taking it very easy to ensure my lungs and heart recover properly. 

Today I got out on the Bombadil for about four hours, including plenty of trail time. I found some really nice old growth trees here and there. 

[Richard Rose]

Got out this afternoon on the revamped Gus. 35*f but not windy so not cold. Loving the 2x1 drivetrain. Had a slight mishap on a damp wood bridge. No harm done. This bike on trail is so good. Oak Openings Region Metropark just south of Toledo, Ohio.

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 27, 2025, at 8:43 PM, Jason Fuller <jtf.f...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hope all those who have gotten sick the past days are on the mend, there's a lot going around! Including good ol' COVID of course, of which I'm recovering from myself. Yesterday was my first ride in 9 days due to it, and today I got out again, but I'm taking it very easy to ensure my lungs and heart recover properly. 

Today I got out on the Bombadil for about four hours, including plenty of trail time. I found some really nice old growth trees here and there. 

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[Steve]

Climbed up a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway yesterday that is closed to traffic but open for hiking and biking. It was a freakishly warm day and being the Saturday after Christmas I saw probably a dozen other riders. I set out from my daughter's home situated above the Parkway - which incidentally is along a road the Tour Dupont took back in '94  = the year Grant P. started RBW (I saw Lance Armstrong zip by with the lead pack along that same stretch. He was not on one of  Grant's bikes). 

Steve in AVL

[Dan]

I chose the Roadini because I wanted a road bike that wouldn’t mind the occasional unpaved detour. An all-road bike, if you will. I have to say that as an all-road bike it doesn’t disappoint!

The tyres and frame are supple enough and the brakes are good enough that it’s no trouble to take the dirt road connection if you have to. In today’s case, that connection lead to farm-fresh berry icecream!

[R Shannon]

Dan, I like your Roadini. Nicely set up and perfect proportions to my eye. The bike fits right in with the surroundings — colorwise and otherwise. Enjoy many nice rides and ice creams in 2026!

Best,

Rich in ATL

On Dec 30, 2025, at 4:25 AM, Dan <gril...@gmail.com> wrote:

I chose the Roadini because I wanted a road bike that wouldn’t mind the occasional unpaved detour. An all-road bike, if you will. I have to say that as an all-road bike it doesn’t disappoint!

The tyres and frame are supple enough and the brakes are good enough that it’s no trouble to take the dirt road connection if you have to. In today’s case, that connection lead to farm-fresh berry icecream!

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<IMG_0053.jpeg>

[Scott Garrison]

Love your Roadini! If I ever decide to replace my Soma ES, this is the way I would do it.

[Piaw Na(藍俊彪)]

Yesterday 's ride on Gazos Creek Road with my wife.

[Daniel Grilli]

Thank you for the kind words Scott and Rich!

The Soma Smoothie is a beautiful road bike. My colleague was riding one for a while and I couldn’t help admiring it. 

Piaw, nice to see another all-roading Roadini! If I squinted, our bikes could look like they are on the same road, ha. And that’s a beautiful Montebello. I would read a comparison review of the two if you ever found the time to write one!

Regards,

Daniel

31/12/2025 5:11、Piaw Na <pi...@gmail.com>のメール:



Yesterday 's ride on Gazos Creek Road with my wife.

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[John Dewey]

Rich, you don’t REALLY want snow and ice do you?

I spent too much time in South Wisconsin. 

Horribly cold winters…and so many without snow (so no X-country skiiing). 

Perfectly MISERABLE!

 

Then, brilliantly, wound up in Athens, GA and never looked back. My GA pals thought 50F was FREEEEZING…I kept reminding them how delightfully warm it was. 

Now in NorCal, sometimes like GA winters, sometimes like WI cold. Go figure 🤪

Jock

On Mon, Dec 22, 2025 at 9:45 AM RichS <rshann...@gmail.com> wrote:

These December pictures are invigorating. Predicted 68 degrees in ATL on Christmas Day. Nothing I can contribute with icy, snowy surroundings. 

January is sometimes good for a few days of real winter weather. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow:-)

Best,

Rich in balmy ATL

On Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 10:19:25 PM UTC-5 kesro...@gmail.com wrote:

I installed the Dynamo light yesterday so had to get out and use it tonight. 

On Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 3:03:30 PM UTC-5 Tony Lockhart wrote:

Sam visiting the Claremont Colleges today. 

On Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 7:38:24 AM UTC-8 Jay wrote:

I hear you, Ted.  As I get older, I get colder!  

I'm really busy and stressed at work though, so these rides are great for my mental health.  Getting out when the conditions are not great, when no other cyclists are out there, actually makes me enjoy the ride a little more, like I'm not taking the easy way out, I'm facing a challenge.

I got out for a ride second day in a row.  Temp was same as yesterday, -6C but the wind was stronger.  I felt great though (and was charged with the feeling of getting outside for a ride), and pushed harder which kept me warm.  And I cooked it on the way back home, down wind.

Happy Winter Solstice!

On Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 7:35:22 AM UTC-5 ascpgh wrote:

Great pics and fantastic surroundings, Jon. 

December is so unpredictable weather-wise in the mid-Atlantic. Trying to get in a ride at a particular place when the conditions are nice is tough. I love the Blue Ridge region, but the travel time limits the brief riding opportunities in your pictures.

I was hooked after a trip to my grandmother's sister's home above Luray, VA. Her husband was the superintendent of the Shenandoah National Park and lived in one of the homes in the headquarters loop area. 

Andy Cheatham

Pittsburgh 

On Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at 6:22:05 AM UTC-5 Dan wrote:

This evening was the last 'Waterfall Gully Wednesday' of the year.

It was 35 degrees celcius today and is forecast for 39 tomorrow. Thankfully, this gully is much cooler than the city proper.

The Roadini is feeling great. With recent changes (TRP RRL levers, bar-end shifters, padded Newbaums tape, new brake pads up front) the fit feels good and I feel like I can rely on it going both up and down hill. I've ridden it 2,300+ km since I got it this year which is an achievement considering I have 4 other bikes! I am sure the Roadini and I will share many more km to come.

Roadini with some of the crew I ride with on Wednesdays. Nice people all around, 95% who are much much faster than me.

On Wednesday, 17 December 2025 at 10:49:29 UTC+10:30 jonca...@gmail.com wrote:

I built up this used frame that I got via the group, the day before I finished building it we got snow so didn’t get out (in the slush) until this weekend.  As it happens this route goes by a farm that has some of the Appaloosa (my wife told me, she’s a horse person—equestrian?).  I plan to use this bike for Rockstar next year which is a “race” from Harrisonburg to Roanoke, not a formal event, no official start, etc.  Picture taken from Suplinick Ridge, overlooking the hollow that runs alongside the North Mountain range and WV.  Which is sort of the border of the blue ridge and Allegheny.

Jon in Shenandoah/DC

On Sun, Dec 14, 2025 at 7:42 PM Ben Miller <ben.l....@gmail.com> wrote:

Piaw, you know it :) Stephanie has BTP woven bar tape in blue in the mail! Glad you like the blue :) I've been wanting an excuse to use that blue splatter Crust heartbreaker crank for a awhile now!

On Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 3:49:57 PM UTC-8 Piaw Na wrote:

Love the blue theme. I bet the handlebar tape will be blue as well? 

On Sun, Dec 14, 2025 at 3:46 PM Ben Miller <ben.l....@gmail.com> wrote:

Apologies in advance Jay 😞 

Finished cabling up Stephanie's new-to-her Rambouilet yesterday, so we took our Twin Rams out for a spin up Twin Peaks today. She must have liked it cause she took off like a rocket up Twins after the turn. Made me work to reel her back in just before the summit 😁 

We are waiting on some bartape to truly complete the build. But so stoked that she has her own Ram now, a frame that I think it truly one of the Rivendell masterpieces. 

On Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 1:26:48 PM UTC-8 Jay wrote:

These photos without snow are making me sad.  This morning the feels like was -23C.  I rode the trainer.  Then did a workout.  I did get out yesterday on the Fargo with studded tires but that was a mess beyond comprehension.  Still removing salt from everywhere it could have landed.  Thankfully, Roadini was safe at home.  No photos today.

Scottie - great looking Sam.  I love that colour.  Those sidewalls are so clean, can't wait to see them get dirty!

Jason - can I come visit! ;-)  8-10C, I would wear shorts and l/s jersey and would probably sweat after I've now acclimated to temps out this side of Canada.

On Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 12:22:53 PM UTC-5 Hoch in UT wrote:

Thanks, that's a good idea.  I had a Riv Sackville that had some corrugated plastic as the base that worked well.  Thanks for the tip.

On Monday, December 8, 2025 at 5:25:28 AM UTC-7 kesro...@gmail.com wrote:

Very nice!  I also have a Camper LF and cut a piece of thick plastic (from some packaging) the size of the bag's floor and that gives it a little more structure.  It's pretty amazing how much you can fit into the camper.

On Monday, December 8, 2025 at 1:25:55 AM UTC-5 Hoch in UT wrote:

Crispy cool Sunday morning ride. Recently purchased a Carradice Camper LF but doesn’t really fit the bagman support. I need to get a small rack to keep the bag off of the tire. 

On Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 7:05:29 PM UTC-7 Jason Fuller wrote:

Landing squarely between the last two photos weather-wise, today was around 40F and drizzling. I liked this view - the path most take vs the path I took. 

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[John Dewey]

BTW, here’s most accomodating CA winter scene…

[Guy Jett]

This S.F. Bay Area kid spent 3 years making short rides in Laramie, WY, winters mid-80's.  Cold like Wisconsin.  Major bundling up.  But was fun riding when the very light snow exploded off my boots when it was deeper than the bottom of my pedal stroke!

Been back in the Bay Area most of the time since.  When people complain about how cold it is at 45F, I ask them how hot they are if they add 50 degrees to that.  Getting warm for most.  

Then I ask them how cold they would be if they knock 60 to 80 degrees off that 45F!  They just simply can't understand being outside if it's anywhere below about 25F.  

Laramie completely changed my understanding of cold.  My benchmark is -10F.  Inhale through your nose and your nose hairs freeze!

G.A.Jett

On Tue, Dec 30, 2025 at 4:15 PM John Dewey <john...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Patrick Moore]

Mark Twain: “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” 

Here in high desert ABQ, NM we can have extreme temps — I’ve seen -30*F (Gallup) and 117*F (ABQ, a couple of summers); but generally, at least in ABQ, the extremes are usually high teens to upper 90s, and thanks to lowish humidity, more tolerable than in wetter climates. 

Jock: Sure, Athens is nice in winter, but what about July? I recall visiting my sister and husband in Atlanta back in the ‘80s while I was still in grad school in Kebek, where at this time of year a typical high might be about 10*F, and because of Atlanta’s humidity, feeling colder there than up north. 

I recall reading back then in the Montreal Gazette about an intrepid cyclist who cycled year-round in Kebek City, which gets an average of 13’ of snow per year. Things could be far worse than they are in most places! Tho’ those Kebecois know from snow removal.

[Jason Fuller]

I don't miss frozen nose hairs. We have the PNW "wet cold" that everyone who lives somewhere with real winters will laugh off. Today was just a smidge warmer than the past couple days, a few degrees above freezing, but felt a lot warmer since it's been cold enough for long enough to dry out the air. 

Pardon the iffy fenderlines that are being accentuated by the photo. They are the Simworks 'Flat 65' so the gap is hard to avoid. The bike is a Crust Evasion. There was a bit of fog haze that never quite lifted today which made for a real nice effect with the setting sun. 

[Patrick Moore]

Very well-composed and elegant photo, despite the photo-exaggerated fender gaps.

What are those tires? Make, model, width?

Patrick Moore, who recalls nose-hair nips at ~ -20*F in Kebek (at which temps snow was no longer slippery).

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[Jason Fuller]

Appreciate that, Patrick! The tires are 26 x 2.8" WTB Ranger with the light casing, despite their remarkable size they are only 800-850g each, and roll much better on pavement than I'd have ever imagined. Obviously not fast tires, but not slow either!  I've attached a photo where they can be better observed. Rims are Velocity Blunt 35. This bike is a bit hyperbolic, but a lot of fun. 

[Patrick Moore]

Ah, the WTB Ranger!. I rode those through late 2023 in the 622 X 3.0” labeled size on “that” Monocog; they replaced the original (as far as my ownership) dogs and, yes indeed, they rolled very nicely indeed, particularly noticable on pavement, given the knobs.

I’d guess your Blunts give the Rangers about 5 extra mm compared to the 2012 Monocog OEM-spec’d Alex rims at 24 mm OW, versus the 3.0” label.

But again, surprisingly nice-rolling, pavement included, given the knobs.

My own version of fat-tire silliness on somewhat conventional platform: 2012 Monocog with the Rangers, July 2023:

On Tue, Dec 30, 2025 at 8:15 PM Jason Fuller <jtf.f...@gmail.com> wrote:

Appreciate that, Patrick! The tires are 26 x 2.8" WTB Ranger with the light casing, despite their remarkable size they are only 800-850g each, and roll much better on pavement than I'd have ever imagined. Obviously not fast tires, but not slow either!  I've attached a photo where they can be better observed. Rims are Velocity Blunt 35. This bike is a bit hyperbolic, but a lot of fun. 

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[Armand Kizirian]

No shot of the Platypus but an absolutely stunning ride this morning in the Santa Monica mountains. The horizon's were crystal clear! High 60's with a warm light drizzle at higher elevations. 25 miles with 2400ft of climbing feels so easy when you really take your sweet time. 

[Patrick Moore]

Lovely photo. It has been decades, but I recall the Santa Monica Mountains when I attended Thomas Aquinas College, then located at the old Gillette property at the intersection of Mulholland Hwy and Las Virgines Road, and when I worked as a set watchman for the 20th Century Fox Motion Picture Ranch (Swiss Family Robinson, MASH, Tora Tora Tora), literally across the street from the back gate of the campus to the front gate of the ranch.

Any idea where your photo would be in geographical reference to Mulholland/Las Virgines, or to the Motion Picture Ranch, now a state park?

I never rode those mountains but I did at least once belatedly hike them and recall a view from the crest toward the Malibu coast.

Patrick “Lo! These many years!” Moore, who enjoyed trashing used-up fleet vehicles on ranch patrols in the week hours of the morning, in Calabasas, CA.

[Patrick Moore]

Correction: I did ride those mountains, but only the old paved roads vaguely SE from the Gillette property/Fox ranch — Cold Canyon Road and so on, that, back then, on classless weekday mornings were entirely void of traffic; lovely hilly, winding roads (with very poor motor vehicle sight lines), 1973-1977. Not as often as liked, because I had to borrow bikes as I had to sell mine when returning Stateside.

I heard of but was never part of the Sunday morning roadie incursions in the area.

On Tue, Dec 30, 2025 at 9:24 PM Patrick Moore <bert...@gmail.com> wrote:

… I never rode those mountains but I did at least once belatedly hike them and recall a view from the crest toward the Malibu coast.

[Piaw Na]

Last chance to post on this thread. We did a S24O last night at Point Reye's Coast Campground: https://youtu.be/U_1xEUSIaS8?si=8FSc9OZzHfd9HpLW. Got out before it rained. (And yes, that's Bowen riding his 50cm Roadini) I put my "gravel" wheels from my Roadini onto his bike since I needed to tow a trailer and so rode my hard tail MTB. 

A sunset to finish your year with: https://photos.app.goo.gl/hjn742aJK3KmB7t69

[Piaw Na(藍俊彪)]

Piaw, nice to see another all-roading Roadini! If I squinted, our bikes could look like they are on the same road, ha. And that’s a beautiful Montebello. I would read a comparison review of the two if you ever found the time to write one

I think I would sell my Roadini and replace it with a Montebello if only the Montebello came with rim brakes. The big difference is the lower BB (the Roadini's BB just isn't low enough for my liking) and of course the much lighter frame --- on this ride, the Roadini felt heavier. And I was still faster than my wife, but I dislike the feel of a heavy bike while going down an off road descent. (Her Montebello is a good 5-6 pounds lighter than my Roadini) And this particular ride  (see ride video here: https://youtu.be/bHGHyxzVnw4?si=J1LqYQdPddwZdRkI) had so many portages that every time I had to perform a bike carry I really felt the weight. By contrast every time I tried to help my wife with her portage she would wave me away: "My bike is light!"

I still dislike disc brakes, though in this particular case the Montebello is still the only disc brake equipped bike I've seen/heard that doesn't squeal like a banshee on a steep descent, so maybe having a top notch mechanic (Tom at Velotech) makes a big difference.

[Matthew Williams]

Tacos and an evening ride. Happy new year, everyone!

[R Shannon]

Hi Jock,

It’s a pleasant surprise when we do get a taste of winter here. . . brings back good memories. I did grow up in “snow country”, upstate NY, where the lake effect creates prodigious amounts of snow, wind and cold. It’s more than I could handle for months at a time now that I’m a septuagenarian! Looking forward to ringing in the new year with a group ride, temps in the 40s. 

Happy New Year everyone!

Rich in ATL

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[Jason Fuller]

Getting in the final hours of 2025, a 68km ride with just under 1000m elevation, and a mix of road, nice paths, nice single track, and also hike a bike.  I like the variety!