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 Tony Adams on January 3, 2013 at 2:16pm



Kara B said:

and - thanks for reminding me - i have to remember to get all those layers off the cold back porch overnight so they're not a) still wet; or b) just really cold when i put them on in the morning. 


Debra J said:

I need to get all of my layers organized at night before I go to bed. I'm a horrible morning person and have a hard time figuring out my keep-warm-on-a-bike-clothes in addition to my what-I'm-gonna-wear-inside-at-the-office-all-day-clothes and leaving enough time to get out the door and get to work on time. So, I've got to plan ahead for commutes.
Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on January 4, 2013 at 8:34am

I hate wind more than any other weather condition.

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on January 4, 2013 at 4:39pm

First bike winter here. I learned that it's really not as bad as one would think. As long as you have proper clothing, the cold really isn't so bad once you get moving. I did arrive to work with frozen hands this morning due to the cold wind, despite wearing a pair of thin gloves under my lobster gloves. Not too bad, though.

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on January 4, 2013 at 4:44pm

Yes! It is pretty much impossible to explain this to non winter riders somehow. It isn't as bad as one would think AND a ride as cold as this morning's is pretty rare. Most winter rides are more like tonight's commute. 

Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

First bike winter here. I learned that it's really not as bad as one would think. As long as you have proper clothing, the cold really isn't so bad once you get moving. I did arrive to work with frozen hands this morning due to the cold wind, despite wearing a pair of thin gloves under my lobster gloves. Not too bad, though.

Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on January 4, 2013 at 6:10pm

Winter is just as fun to ride in as spring, summer and fall.

Permalink Reply by Katie 4.0 mi on January 5, 2013 at 10:04pm

I love riding in winter - it makes me feel bad ass and like I'm defeating the cold/urge to hibernate until spring. Also, I've learned the hard way too many times to always stuff my pockets full of kleenex ;).

Permalink Reply by Anika on January 5, 2013 at 10:42pm
My feet are always cold - no matter the number of miles/minutes spent outside.
Permalink Reply by Bill Savage on January 5, 2013 at 10:50pm

I recently added a new undersock recommended by the guys at Beverly Bike and Ski (under REI or Smartwool main socks) and my feet are now warm to the 9 mile point.

Anika said:

My feet are always cold - no matter the number of miles/minutes spent outside.
Permalink Reply by Gort 12-mile Pinklegneep on January 6, 2013 at 6:09am
This winter i learned i could patch a tire drunk but it wont last much longer than it takes to get me home.
Permalink Reply by Luke Gardner on January 6, 2013 at 4:04pm

What I've learned this winter, now my 4th via bike in Chicago. I'm always learning more.

I don't care how cold it is. I just don't want the wind blowing in my face. I used to gauge my outfit by temperature, now I gauge what I need by using windspeed and wind direction. I had the wind at my back on the coldest day this winter (I think it was 18F) and I could have cared less that it was cold. But the headwind seems to make everything worse - from my mood, to my cadence, to how cold I am. It makes perfect sense when you think about (more cold air is hitting you) but it took me a while to figure out to use the windspeed/direction for planning.

Layering my gloves. I've surmised that I like to have cycling gloves under mittens for the first half of my commute to stay warm and toasty. Then I take the mittens off and strap them to my beltloop about halfway through, and just ride with the gloves. This has prevented that terrible "too hot, but also too cold" feeling for me. I tend to overdress and needed an easy way to modulate my body temperature...open the balaclava up, take off the mittens, unzip my outer layer about 3" so a little neck is exposed and viola...back to comfort.

I use USB rechargeable lights and have twice this winter wound up with dead lights halfway home. It makes me a little bit sick to think about riding lightless, so I've actually taken my USB charging cable to work and left it there in case I notice the lo-bat light coming on when I'm riding to work.

Also, this is my first winter riding fixed gear and it's just been a freaking blast. I didn't realize it'd be so fun on slippery stuff. Great feedback from the wheel makes it feel like you have more traction, which makes you more confident, which makes your ride easier. Nice!

Permalink Reply by Rachy Rach on January 6, 2013 at 7:28pm

I learned to watch out for raccoons.  Hit one 2 weeks ago (and then hit the pavement) around midnight in Old Irving.  I'm still off my bike with a bone-bruise to the knee.  Can't wait to get back on my wheels.

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on January 6, 2013 at 7:31pm

I learned that we will never again have a measurable snowfall in the City of Chicago.

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