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 Andrew Bertocchini on January 18, 2013 at 11:11am

I learned that we live in a really great city. I had the opportunity to attend my very first Chain-link Bar gathering. I had a fantastic ride home from Cunneen’s last night, weaving my way south and west from there all the way back home to Chicago & Western. The neighborhoods were wonderful, the night cold and crisp, the ride uneventful, giving me time to enjoy my surroundings. Thank you to Bill and all of the Chain-Linkers for their warm welcome. Congratulations to Andrew for his Derailleur Award.

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Permalink Reply by Haddon on January 18, 2013 at 7:50pm

Learned that I'll probably never be a Bike Messenger in Winter. I did 45 blocks each way, coming back the wind was constant and stiff. Got home and dropped my bag, laid down on the couch and went right to sleep. Not sure how they do it.

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Permalink Reply by Joe Guzzardo on January 19, 2013 at 9:50pm

I've been sidelined since the middle of December but I hope to start riding again soon. I'm in the market for the type of jacket you described with pit and chest pocket zips, ideally something in bright orange or neon yellow that won't cost more than I paid for my bike. Can you make a specific recommendation, please?

JM 6.5 said:

1) I couldn't agree more with being cold to start my ride to avoid being overheated within 10 minutes. To best regulate my body temperature I like to ride in a windproof jacket with pit zips and two chest pocket zips. If I get too warm I can open the pit zips to vent a little, and to cool down even more I can open the chest pockets to let some cold air in.

2) Balaclavas are a lifesaver, even if I look like a fool.

3) For me personally, avoid Lakeshore path. The path gets heavily-salted and leads to rusted cables/chains, etc. That, plus ice in certain parts from the lake spray. The surface streets are relatively salt free and clear within a day or two of light snow due to the traffic. (Sort of related but off-topic: I have never understood why the city uses salt on lakeshore path instead of sand. Salt is horrible for the lake.)

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Permalink Reply by JMinHP on January 21, 2013 at 7:54am

Joe,

I sent you a message. I ride in a yellow Mountain Hardware "Mountain Tech" Jacket. I've had it for over ten years and it still looks great. Plus, it says something when they haven't changed the design of the coat for so long! Check it out.

Joe Guzzardo said:

I've been sidelined since the middle of December but I hope to start riding again soon. I'm in the market for the type of jacket you described with pit and chest pocket zips, ideally something in bright orange or neon yellow that won't cost more than I paid for my bike. Can you make a specific recommendation, please?

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Permalink Reply by Joe Guzzardo on January 21, 2013 at 9:11am

Thanks!

JM 6.5 said:

Joe,

I sent you a message. I ride in a yellow Mountain Hardware "Mountain Tech" Jacket. I've had it for over ten years and it still looks great. Plus, it says something when they haven't changed the design of the coat for so long! Check it out.

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Permalink Reply by Bill Savage on January 21, 2013 at 1:32pm

Today I learned that this much wind chill is too much. Walked to the corner to get the papers, was nearly blown over by the wind tearing down the side of a stupid dorm Loyola built back in its Fascist Concrete Architecture days. When it's cold, I ride more slowly, and the thought of fighting this wind along with the cold means it's PT or walking for me today.

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Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on January 21, 2013 at 2:17pm

As opposed to previous seasons, I learned that I can keep the balaclava open from eyebrows to the chin in weather in the teens. I am not so sure about tomorrow but will give it a try.

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Permalink Reply by Tim Heckman on January 21, 2013 at 2:27pm

I learned that all the experienced hands are correct. So long as you keep riding almost every day as the winter develops, you'll find out what works for you, and be able to adjust to keep yourself comfortable in most conditions.

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Permalink Reply by Haddon on January 21, 2013 at 2:44pm

I learned today that I want to move South or to San Diego. Sorry to say, after I almost ate pavement from a wind gust I had to bike slower, slow enough to not build up enough body heat. Sucked hard.

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Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on January 29, 2013 at 10:52am

Last week I learned that numbness in my feet might not necessarily be due to cold weather. I knew my feet should be warm enough and should not be numb, so when I stopped for stoplights I rested my heels on the ground with no pressure on the balls of my feet. While riding I shifted my feet foroward with the pressure on my arch or backward with pressure on my toes. Bingo. The numbness went away. I surmised that the softer insulation in shoes for winter riding spread the pressure evenly and restricted blood flow. Summer riding in harder shoes focuses the pressure on specific points on the balls of my feet and less loss of blood flow.