Brisk Errands [status]

[rebeccmeister]

From a bicycling standpoint, at least, below approximately 5 degrees Fahrenheit (that's -15° C), the absolute temperature starts to matter less than the windchill. It was -3 °F when I left the house this morning for rowing practice, but thankfully not all that windy. I wore the ski goggles for that initial ride, but ditched them for errands later, just because they can wind up being as much of a hassle as a help (fogging up, limiting vision, etc). The forecast windchill was down to -17 °F and I definitely felt every degree when the wind blew in my face. It's also interesting to observe how the crackling of plastic items changes when they get that cold.

The other noticeable thing about bicycling in this weather is how much energy it takes just to warm up the air as I breathe. I don't really bother trying to ride with any extra speed or intensity, just getting from point A to point B is enough.

Thankfully I was able to get weekend errands wrapped up expediently (post office, bank, hardware store), so now the cats and I can just hunker down and do things at home until the storm starts to roll in.

I am thinking the back door to this house needs to have the weatherstripping redone. It has old felt weatherstripping and if I stand next to it I can feel some draft. It probably isn't ideal to try and do the actual replacement when it's this cold out, though.

Even if the power stays on and everything, the next energy bill is going to be ugly. The situation here isn't as terrible as the apartment in Lincoln but this is an older house.

Also a good weekend for some baking projects.

Comments

[soemand]

From a bicycling standpoint, at least, below approximately 5 degrees Fahrenheit (that's -15° C), the absolute temperature starts to matter less than the windchill.

Our little one goes to a "forest school" type daycare. They have a rule to go inside if its -20°C or the same as expressed by windchill. The practicality, at -15°C any breeze drops you to -20°C.

The other noticeable thing about bicycling in this weather is how much energy it takes just to warm up the air as I breathe.

Do you have a mask or otherwise?

[rebeccmeister]

That seems like a good temperature rule for your kid's school - brrr! But it is also definitely good to spend a lot of time outside at that age!

This time around I was wearing a balaclava, but a style where there are little holes poked through it for breathing. If it were much colder I'd wear a KN95 underneath it - it's amazing what a difference that can make! And maybe I should have worn one more preemptively.

[soemand]

If it were much colder I'd wear a KN95 underneath it

That was a recommendation in Secrets of Warmth by Hal Weiss. Its a good read.

[rebeccmeister]

Yes! The idea came up I think on here for me several years back, in the midst of various discussions about face masks. I was glad for whoever pointed out that the lungs become a major point of heat exchange/heat loss in the winter (large air surface area, etc). That does look like an interesting and relevant book!