2013 Winter Biking: What I Learned Today

So, not trying to take over for the I Rode Today forum, but it's got a million comments, so let's start a Winter Bike thread for this season.

What I learned today, riding from Rogers Park to 5600 West on Belmont, and back, via various side-streets (and then lots of Montrose) and Hopleaf:

When rats are road-killed in this weather, they freeze into little blocks of bloody ice (2800 block of West Montrose).

When I'm cold enough, I will aim for the jets of steamy air coming up from the storm sewers--quite refreshing (1900 block of West Winona).

Biking in the city is a constant learning experience. What'd you learn lately?

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Permalink Reply by Duppie 13.5185km on February 4, 2013 at 8:57pm

I (re)learned today that the afternoon after a morning snowfall is worse. The slush is starting to freeze up again, and does get stuck between my tire and fenders, to the point where the drag becomes noticable.

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Permalink Reply by Morgan 6 mi on February 4, 2013 at 9:00pm

I learned that my front fender resembles a snowblower when I ride in the snow. I had a blast watching snow spray forward and out as I cranked along this morning.

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio 6.5 mi on February 5, 2013 at 8:45am

I learned that the next day is probably worse than the day of the snow. Frozen slush is really hard to ride over/through! And I learned that taking Milwaukee instead of side streets would have been the smarter choice the day after the snow.

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Permalink Reply by Tim Heckman on February 5, 2013 at 4:38pm

I learned that 1-2 inches of fresh snow over asphalt trail (Prairie Path) is kind of fun, but that a foot track made in that same snow is basically impassable. My thermal bike tights underneath heavy canvas pants have been good on the coldest days of this year. I modulate between those and long undewear and jeans, depending on the weather, on my five mile commute. I also have a pair of close fitting Seirus gloves, that are good to about 20 degrees, but if it's colder than that, I have a pair of cheap gloves that fit nicely over the top, with minimal loss of dexterity, and have been good every day so far this year.

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Permalink Reply by Serge Lubomudrov on February 8, 2013 at 11:24am

When in doubt, dismount and walk.

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Permalink Reply by Tricolor on February 10, 2013 at 4:18pm

I learned riding in salt makes things a pain to clean.

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Permalink Reply by Haddon on February 11, 2013 at 4:35am

If you get your cat de-clawed it won't be so bad.

Tricolor said:

I learned riding in salt makes things a pain to clean.

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Permalink Reply by Tony Adams 7 mi (dirtbag hipstr) on February 11, 2013 at 10:58am

Today I was reminded to take weather forecasts with a grain of salt. Or at least not to let yesterday's forecast determine what I'll do today. Yesterday the forecasts were predicting super cold temps today and then a bunch of snow later on. So last night, given the rain, I was concerned that we'd have a repeat of last week's ice covered streets and then a fresh layer of snow on top of that.

This morning I find bone dry streets and near-balmy temps. It was a fantastic morning commute (I had a tailwind most of the time).

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Permalink Reply by Tricolor on February 11, 2013 at 11:05am

Adopting a cat that someone else has already treated is fine, but I'd never do it myself. I clip her claws every month or so and with a few coils of sisal rope around that's all she scratches.

Haddon said:

If you get your cat de-clawed it won't be so bad.

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Permalink Reply by Duppie 13.5185km on February 11, 2013 at 11:16am

When having a cat with claws, it surely helps that your apartment looks empty in the pictures. ;)

Personally I have resolved the issue of cleaning by having a dedicated winter bike. It's old, and rusty, and it is the same bike I park at the Metra station on those days I take the Metra in.

This bike sees only ABC maintenance in the winter. Then when spring comes around, and I have changed back to my normal bike, the winter bike goes on the bikestand and gets a detailed overhaul.

That way I don't have to worry about salt and crud destroying my "nice" commuter. Biggest downside to this is that the winter bike feels slower than my nice bike.

Tricolor said:

Adopting a cat that someone else has already treated is fine, but I'd never do it myself. I clip her claws every month or so and with a few coils of sisal rope around that's all she scratches.

Haddon said:

If you get your cat de-clawed it won't be so bad.