The Chainlink

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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I've learned that if I want to keep commuting from Evanston, cold stiff wind out of the west is going to be a fact of life.

Had a wonderful ride Weds night... this time I tracked 19th street east until I couldn't any more (does anyone know the history of why 19th street is so odd-- it's almost like an alley through parts of W. Garfield and then again in Cicero/Berwyn--- I get the feeling it might have been some kind of railway or streetcar.)

and then took 24th E. to Cicero (usually I do 13th to East to 23rd to Cicero.)

We're talking 2-3 AM here so major intersections with no light not a huge deal, but I have encountered a few scary drunks weaving all over.

I would never ride on Cermak out that way.

Wolf-Pup said:

Yeah I like the side streets too but it sucks when you get to a major intersection (e.g., Austin/Oak Park ave) and you don't have a stoplight or stop sign. I'd still rather bike side streets than go on Cermak. I have biking on Cermak. Fortunately I moved back to Chicago so I don't have to deal with it anymore. But whenever I go back to visit the parents... *sighs*
 
h' $550 said:

Lately I've learned how to get across Berwyn and Cicero on side streets. I've had some of my most enjoyable  rides of recent years traveling across the near west 'burbs late at night, just in the past few weeks.

Extremely bike-friendly winter so far.

Bill, is that you in the video about the World's Fair that was featured on WBEZ's web site? Nice.

Bill Savage said:

I carry four sets of gloves in this sort of weather: heavy duty, medium, liners/lightweight and summer-fingerless.  But I'm a pack mule who always has two panniers, usually full.  Layering is the key for sure.

Lisa Curcio 4.1 mi said:

With it having gotten a bit chillier than normal for this time of year, and people acting like it is winter when it is not, I thought I would bump this thread from last year.  For anyone riding in cold weather for the first time, it is worth it to go back to the beginning. 

I am relearning what clothes to wear since I failed to follow the advice of Gene Tenner last year who said "write it down"!

And in these days when it is low 30s in the morning and mid 40s in the afternoon, I am learning it is useful to have a lighter pair of gloves to wear home and a bag to put unnecessary layers in on the way home.

Yes, thanks!

Lisa Curcio 4.1 mi said:

Bill, is that you in the video about the World's Fair that was featured on WBEZ's web site? Nice.

Bill Savage said:

I carry four sets of gloves in this sort of weather: heavy duty, medium, liners/lightweight and summer-fingerless.  But I'm a pack mule who always has two panniers, usually full.  Layering is the key for sure.

Lisa Curcio 4.1 mi said:

With it having gotten a bit chillier than normal for this time of year, and people acting like it is winter when it is not, I thought I would bump this thread from last year.  For anyone riding in cold weather for the first time, it is worth it to go back to the beginning. 

I am relearning what clothes to wear since I failed to follow the advice of Gene Tenner last year who said "write it down"!

And in these days when it is low 30s in the morning and mid 40s in the afternoon, I am learning it is useful to have a lighter pair of gloves to wear home and a bag to put unnecessary layers in on the way home.

im also running with 2 panniers, 4 pairs of gloves, 2 hats, 2 neck gaiters. my additional morning layers get tossed in the bags in the afternoon. rain gear gets kept in a separate stuff sack.

so far, this years best purchase was a Nau down shirt.  holy goose butt feathers, batman, is that thing warm.  and i scored on sale for $60. perfect for layering.

It looks like a coat, not a shirt. 

igz said:

im also running with 2 panniers, 4 pairs of gloves, 2 hats, 2 neck gaiters. my additional morning layers get tossed in the bags in the afternoon. rain gear gets kept in a separate stuff sack.

so far, this years best purchase was a Nau down shirt.  holy goose butt feathers, batman, is that thing warm.  and i scored on sale for $60. perfect for layering.

its rather slim and compact with a cut of a shirt.  yeah, i could see it being viewed as a "light" jacket, but id like to compare it to the difference of a denim shirt vs a denim jacket.

and update - 5th gloves just came in from amazon.  trying out those waterproof glacier gloves.

Anyone have any experience with the Showers Pass gloves? My Pearl Izumi lobster gloves are starting to wear out and become less effective.

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