The Chainlink

Winter 2015- who's still riding?

Traffic 'round these parts dropped off pretty dramatically a few weeks ago... hard to tell from the "I rode today" thread who's still riding, as one would have to conclude that Gene is the only one out there most days by reading it....

Who's sticking it out and plans to continue to ride pretty much every day regardless of weather?

(Was winter 2013;   2014 starts on p. 36;   2015 starts on p. 61)

 

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Permalink Reply by Simon Phearson on January 22, 2014 at 8:33am

Yeah, that has been a major motivation for me - just coming on here and Twitter and talking to the folks at my LBS has been a source of major encouragement for me. When I was getting gear for the last "polar vortex" I asked a guy at my LBS where he drew the line - figuring he would say something like "frostbite temperatures" (i.e., about -18 degrees). But he said, "Pretty much never." And he might have been bluffing a bit, but that's what I tell myself on mornings like today; it gets me out, and I'm always glad that I went.

That said, I can't wait for the spring, downgrading to fewer layers, and running some slicker tires.
 
Liz W. Durham said:

This winter reminds me of my first winter of riding...lots of cold, lots of snow. It can be such a combination of discouragement and crazy fun. What helped me back then (and still does on grumpy days) is the support of community and knowing that lots of people ride in winter. In addition to Bike Winter there's an Icebike listserv and FB group. Great community and support from all over the world.
Permalink Reply by Josh L. on January 22, 2014 at 8:42am

It's all psychological..trick is to get out there.  I'm fortunate that I live near major streets - Clark/Broadway - that are well cleared all the way to the Loop.  If I had to risk ice, etc. I don't think I would be so interested in riding.

Outside of my hands I wouldn't say I am cold riding. Or at least it's as unpleasant as walking 10 minutes to the el and standing on the platform freezing.

But I do agree we are all a bit nuts!

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on January 22, 2014 at 8:43am

So far I still overdress if anything, although I would not ride when it was -16 and -40 wind chill.  The cold really slows me down, though, and I am really slow in the first place.  But I rode today and was still happy to be doing it, so that keeps me from being discouraged about the whole sloppy mess!

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on January 22, 2014 at 8:43am

I guess my commute is atypical......temperature is not a factor for me at all.  More clothing, less clothing, end of story.

What I hate about this winter is how the riding options have narrowed. We're all forced to share a very constricted space with motorists. Normally I can make it to work without rolling the dice on whether a distracted driver is going to look up and notice me in time, because I can get out or stay out of their direct path..... but I've been approaching each trip lately with the same feeling I'd have if I knew I had to take my bike onto the Kennedy.

Am I the only one posting here who is aware of how the city has dropped off on snow clearing?

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on January 22, 2014 at 8:43am

Filed four reports with the online 311 thing this morning about unplowed bike lanes on Archer, Halsted (really bad in the 1900 block), Loomis south of Cermak and a "pile of snow on corner" issue at Archer and Lock.

Lots of taking the lane this morning - not fun. Also wore the ski pants for the first time in a few years - of course my core ended up too warm, but I'm not complaining about that. :)

Permalink Reply by Jenn_5.5 mi on January 22, 2014 at 9:00am

I haven't been riding due to the lack of clear streets... The 'driving' lane is clear-ish but the bike lanes are a rock-hard-icy-mess for the past month+. The past years I have boosted about how I ride in anything because the City does an amazing job of clearing the streets; this year I have eaten my words while taking the el. I look longingly out the train wishing I was on my bike but the roads I would travel still look like crap. 

Is calling 311 the answer?

h' 1.0 said:

[snip]

Am I the only one posting here who is aware of how the city has dropped off on snow clearing?

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on January 22, 2014 at 9:02am

http://www.activetrans.org/blog/jmerrell/got-snowy-sidewalks-be-exp... post at Active Trans makes a good point about following up. I hadn't thought of using the issue id (or whatever it is called) to follow up with my alderman. 

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on January 22, 2014 at 9:03am

Since I only have last year to compare to, I don't think I really know.  Pedestrians, public transit riders, auto drivers and passengers do not have the same perspective as those of us on bikes, and I was all of those before last winter.

That being said, given the budget issues, the published fact that the city went over budget last year for snow clearance and expects to do so this year, I am sure you are right.  Even though they will not stop clearing main roads even when over budget, they probably won't spend the money to clear them well.  And the side streets--fuhgeddaboutit!
 
h' 1.0 said:

Am I the only one posting here who is aware of how the city has dropped off on snow clearing?

Permalink Reply by Simon Phearson on January 22, 2014 at 9:08am

I totally agree on the temperature - bailing on the bike always means, for me, about 20-25 minutes walking and standing in office clothes and a winter coat, with a normal core temperature, in exactly the same elements. I'm always more comfortable after mile one on my bike, and even the finger/toe numbness is no worse than what I get with my office get-up. Don't quite get the eyeball freeze on the walk to work, though.

My route is about nine miles, with seven along the LFT, so the bail factor for me is usually blinding snow or uncertainty about LFT clearing, since I commute pretty early and LFT clearing can be unpredictably late sometimes, relative to the streets. Not even ice is a serious concern on the LFT, since you can usually go as slow as you like without worrying about ending up under someone's car.

As a result, I feel kind of bad that it's as easy for me as it is, since it seems like a lot of you have to deal with a lot of crap, coming in from the north and northwest neighborhoods - like I'll never really be harcore. Ha!

Permalink Reply by Duppie on January 22, 2014 at 9:11am

Rode my bike to the Metra station. Seems like a good compromise on these really cold days with recent snowfall. Still feel somewhat smug, without feeling as beaten up once I get to work.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on January 22, 2014 at 9:33am

That seems perfectly reasonable to me in weather like this.

Duppie said:

Rode my bike to the Metra station. Seems like a good compromise on these really cold days with recent snowfall. Still feel somewhat smug, without feeling as beaten up once I get to work.

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on January 22, 2014 at 9:44am

The last two mornings have been fairly brutal with my fingers and toes getting numb. My core and legs were warm for the most part until I got to the Loop and got stopped at every red light on Dearborn. Still better than walking to the 'L' and filing into a packed train. It's nice to stay active though the winter.

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