The Chainlink

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 Julie M. on January 10, 2013 at 6:56pm

I know, I found it just doing a google search for reporting cabs on 311.  I do try (and recommend others do so) to report unsafe cabs and other commercial vehicles.  I emailed the Children's Hospital on Lincoln (when it was still on Lincoln) when one of their shuttles cut me off with good results.  

I like the Grid's write-up of a complaint against a cab at: http://gridchicago.com/2012/calling-311-to-report-dangerous-taxicab...

and plan to follow up on my complaint as needed.


Wolf-Pup said:

I'm posting your cab thing on Facebook. I had no idea.

Cheryl said:

I had no idea such a site existed - awesome.

Julie M. said:

I learned that I shouldn't say my usual "mmm, bacon" out loud when I'm passing Yolk on Wells on days like today, when there's so many more cyclists around.

I also learned that you can look up the cab company a specific cab belongs to here:

http://www.cityofchicago.org/content/dam/city/depts/bacp/publicvehi...

which is convenient for reporting cabs that are blocking the protected lane on Dearborn.

Permalink Reply by Christopher C. on January 12, 2013 at 4:53pm
I learned that if I'm warm biking to work then I'll be cold while working(outdoors 97% of the time) but if I fry on the ride then I'm warmish while working. Now if I didn't hate lugging extra clothing in my pack this would be a non issue. All the same been a blast riding my first winter in Chicago.
Permalink Reply by Haddon on January 12, 2013 at 5:20pm

I learned that with days like the last couple winter riding isn't so bad.  I did the lake front trail yesterday and one way with some tail wind it was easy though coming back it did hurt a bit.  I admit I don't invent reasons to bike 100 blocks like I would in summer.

Also re-learned that finding an open bike rack is a cinch, sometimes in summer its an annoyance to hunt a space down but these days it's easy front row parking. Ice still unnerves me, once I went down so hard from ice that a couple people walked over saying "Dude are you ok?".  I was looking for my stuff at a friends place and for a moment was more worried that I would have to bike back with no gloves/neckmuff/hat than I was that I might have to replace all the plastic in my wallet. 

Learned that I'm truly tired of the part where the tires are hard when I pump them up indoors but when I go outside and the air cools and contracts that they start to get squishy, doesn't anyone have a fix for this one already?  There are devices to auto tune guitar strings why not this?

Learned that while a long light or wait is fine when it's warm and you can cool off the same in winter is more than an irritation and I wonder how fast pneumonia can set in.  I don't dally when I ride, summer I'll stop for all sorts of reasons: to lay in the grass at a park, to stop in a store that looks interesting or smells good, now I'm far more point A to point B. 

Learned that there is a bit more 'there' when I cross paths with another cyclist.  In summer kids on bikes are everywhere, now when it's cold and there are fewer of us out there we nod at each other more.  It's like we recognize some shared affinity, there is a bit more acknowledgement of each other which is cool. 

H

1zt7hr8qm0y90Permalink Reply by 1zt7hr8qm0y90 on January 14, 2013 at 4:27pm
I learned to always check the rim for ice. Even though I cover my bike with a tarp the freezing drizzle and condensation froze on my wheel in a smooth undetected sheen. I went for the brakes and NOTHING! OH OH! AHHHHHH!
Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on January 15, 2013 at 9:28am

Today I learned to check one's fly (zipper) before leaving the house. I guess I was bundled up enough elsewhere to make up for it, as nothing froze off.

Permalink Reply by Tricolor on January 15, 2013 at 9:34am

Two layers of socks is barely enough below 20 with my usual biking shoes, and I really need to find some heavier wool gloves when it's this far below freezing.  Otherwise no problem.

Permalink Reply by Katie 4.0 mi on January 15, 2013 at 9:40am
Bike earmuffs are a girl's best friend :).
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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on January 15, 2013 at 9:43am

Have you ever tried shell mittens over a pair of wool or fleece gloves?  They don't offer much dexterity (better for grip shift than other shifting methods), but they're awesome for warmth, because they are windproof and create an additional air layer between your gloves and the outer shell.

Tricolor said:

Two layers of socks is barely enough below 20 with my usual biking shoes, and I really need to find some heavier wool gloves when it's this far below freezing.  Otherwise no problem.

Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on January 15, 2013 at 10:14am

Try a wind proof shell over them or a wind proof glove under them.  Wool is a great insulator when it does not have wind blowing through it but you put it out in the air on a cold day and it's insulating factor goes way down.

Tricolor said:

Two layers of socks is barely enough below 20 with my usual biking shoes, and I really need to find some heavier wool gloves when it's this far below freezing.  Otherwise no problem.

Permalink Reply by JimmyD on January 15, 2013 at 10:23am

Nice! Are those earmuffs knitted to your helmet straps? 

Katie 4.0 mi said:

Bike earmuffs are a girl's best friend :).
Permalink Reply by Duppie on January 15, 2013 at 10:33am

This solution works very well for me when it is below freezing.

Anne Alt 2-10 said:

Have you ever tried shell mittens over a pair of wool or fleece gloves?  They don't offer much dexterity (better for grip shift than other shifting methods), but they're awesome for warmth, because they are windproof and create an additional air layer between your gloves and the outer shell.

Tricolor said:

Two layers of socks is barely enough below 20 with my usual biking shoes, and I really need to find some heavier wool gloves when it's this far below freezing.  Otherwise no problem.

Permalink Reply by Tricolor on January 15, 2013 at 10:51am

I'll give the shell mittens a try.  With bar end shifters dexterity's not a big issue.  I have heavier gloves but they also freeze each finger more than the wool and don't warm up easily.  Today was just a few degrees too far.

Anne Alt 2-10 said:

Have you ever tried shell mittens over a pair of wool or fleece gloves?  They don't offer much dexterity (better for grip shift than other shifting methods), but they're awesome for warmth, because they are windproof and create an additional air layer between your gloves and the outer shell.

Tricolor said:

Two layers of socks is barely enough below 20 with my usual biking shoes, and I really need to find some heavier wool gloves when it's this far below freezing.  Otherwise no problem.

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