I rode today. Did you?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jane Healy on
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Jane said:
Steven Lane said:I broke a sweat just keeping balance riding five miles an hour. It's weird how snow rides are such a work out at such slow speeds. I guess it activates muscles you don't normally use and gives your brain a lot of extra processing to do. My moment of zen for the day was realizing that slipping is not losing control; it's just another way of harnessing your momentum. Somehow that thought let me keep digging into the slips and slides somehow finding my way back to balance. Good times.
I found the same thing to be true. I bundled up like an eskimo thinking that with the wind it was going to be brutal. By the time I was returning home from picking up Genevieve at school, I was unzipping and unwrapping anything I could get to easily while dealing with the snow pack on the street!
Yes, I still needed the balaclava and gloves, and I would have been miserable without my goggles, but I found myself toasty warm after about 5 minutes of riding... even though I was only going about 5 mph.
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The best was tonight. Egads, what a night! I tried biking about a block just so I could claim bragging rights, but dang! It was wild out there. I nearly got blown off my bike three times within 20 yards of my house. Add to that the poor street conditions and I had to admit that enough was enough.
Genevieve and I then tried to shovel but gave up after about 20 minutes. It's not even worth it with all the blowing going on.
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I'm digging all the thunder tonight. Thunder snow is such a weird thing.
Right now, I'm sitting in my living room with the lights out, typing this on my lap from my iPad. Outside my window the snow continues to blow past in a constant stream of horizontal streaks that hasn't let up since 3pm or so. The oak tree in our front yard is whipping around like I have never seen before. And the bare spot on our sidewalk remains bare! Some strange fillip in the airflow has created a perfectly swept patch of sidewalk about 3x6 feet in size.
Tomorrow we plan on taking the kick sled out for a good run. I expect the street in front of our house (which is a snow route, so it gets plowed) will be perfect for travel. Those of you with X-C skis should have a blast!
I love the vagaries of weather. Sure, it's a pain to shovel 12 tons of snow off your sidewalk, but isn't this far more interesting that living someplace where the weather is the same thing, day after day? Since I started biking year round I find that I actually look forward to winter more. The cold doesn't bother me very much either. I don't know if this is because one gets acclimated or if I just have enough blubber to insulate me, or if it's merely a reflection of having the right gear and knowing how to use it. Whatever the reason, biking in the snow and cold is something I enjoy. My least favorite time to bike is now when it's above 80° and I know I will be a sweaty puddle of goo after a long ride in the sun. There was a time when I wouldn't have even considered riding if it was in the 60s. My how things change!
Jane
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Permalink Reply by Vilda on
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What you haven't seen that on Damen? ;-)
Mike Zumwalt said:
As compared to when it's full of monkeys preening each other?
Gabe said:
Awesome ride home. Damen was like a zoo: Full of monkeys in cages and covered in shit! ;-)
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Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on
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No power since 8 last night. I hooked an inverter up to one of my 12v batteries and plugged modem and router in.
I do not plan to ride today . . .but I have to go in early since nobody else seems able to get there.
Hope everyone else is staying safe and warm. Approaching 50 degrees in here. At least the hot water heater has a pilot light rather than electronic ignition. Fingers crossed for my cichlids-- maybe they'll just sleep through the temperature dip and not remember anything.
I'm willing to (grudgingly) admit that the hype about the coming storm may not have been completely overblown . . .
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Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on
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I rode to the train this morning, and then back home when I found out I am more hardcore than Metra...
Major streets are OK but side streets are impassable.
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At work. The first two blocks were serious cardio but it got easier once I hit California. I saw more Cal. and Cermak buses then I knew existed. Running smoothly.
A cyclist came at me southbound on California, doing maybe 8-10 mph. Got a pic but no bluetooth at work.
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Permalink Reply by Duppie on
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Mrs Duppie and I walked over to our favorite watering hole last night and it was fun for the 2 blocks. But I am sure glad I can work from home another day. Gives me a chance to shovel the 3-4 feet snow drifts on the sidewalks.
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Permalink Reply by knowbody on
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at work in the loop right now... cta's red and purple lines running. edgewater was stacked up 2ft. high on most side streets. using snowshoes to get around.
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Permalink Reply by Phil Marmet on
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What a great day for riding! I was admittedly late to work this morning after shoveling out my pregnant neighbor. (I hope the baby can hold off for a few days)
No traction on side streets, snow past BB. had to jog down the tires ruts pushing my machine.
North was empty so riding down the middle was fine. Saw a bunch of folks walking in the street coming from the Jewel, felt a little like the "day after tomorrow" if you know the film.
narrow tire fixed gear city bikes can still work in this crap, just take those corners easy. Its like ice skating!
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Permalink Reply by Kimberly on
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Be careful out there! The commute home to Rogers Park along Sheridan was pretty scary even in the early afternoon, especially the curve between Chicago and Evanston. They had to close that stretch at 10pm due to wind and snow drifts. I biked some groceries home later yesterday and my bike toppled over when I was walking it. Thankfully the snow kept my beer bottles from breaking! Hope you all find some plowed road somewhere because there isn't a whole lot up here.
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