The Chainlink

Attn hard-core SNOW riders! We'd love to hear your stories!

Please share your stories from yesterday and this morning. Did anyone commute? Did you do the Super Bowl snow ride? Also, any pictures? Please share them here. We'd love to feature some snow-riding Chainlinkers in our upcoming newsletter. 

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Permalink Reply by Marc-Paul Lee on February 5, 2015 at 4:23pm

I grew up in Atlanta and lived in the Bay Area for 13 years so it took a while for me to get used to the winters here.  After 16 years, though, this is the first winter that hasn't bothered me.  And because of that it's also the first winter I've biked on days when it's below 40F, my previous threshold.  So far so good even on those single digit days.  Adding ski goggles and a new winter bike helped.  

Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on February 5, 2015 at 5:25pm

Thanks Fran, that one came from a coworker who did not want to put it on his Honda ruckus clone. It breaks real easy when dropped. Good thing for duct tape. Makes for a great weather resistant container. That bike has been the best slushy snow pony I have ever built from scrap parts.

Fran Kondorf said:

Juan, that motorcycle trunk mod is pretty boss. Kudos!

Juan 2-8 mi. said:


Finding shelter Sunday after a bungee cord wraps around the rear cog and disengages the snap ring. Managed to cut the cord and put everything back together for the final trip home after dropping off my work for the bike winter art show.

Permalink Reply by MJ E. on February 5, 2015 at 5:43pm

I was surprised how easy the ride was on Monday in comparison to the last snow, which I ended up hiking the Halsted bridges. I was also impressed that I was able to find a bike rack that hadn't been shoved over. I wish the Dearborn bike lane had been a bit more suitable, but I think rollers are getting me better at riding through slush.

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on February 5, 2015 at 6:45pm
Juan 2-8 miles, you are lucky, you were able to continue. I had the same type of bungee accident a few months back. It got jammed in and slowed then stopped the bike. I cut it but could not get it out. End of ride. Walked it to Comrade Cycles, fixed it in 5 minutes/no charge/I was buying other stuff I needed. I will try to make it out to the bike winter art show.Might see ya there.

Juan 2-8 mi. said:

Finding shelter Sunday after a bungee cord wraps around the rear cog and disengages the snap ring. Managed to cut the cord and put everything back together for the final trip home after dropping off my work for the bike winter art show.

Permalink Reply by Sean M. O'Grady on February 6, 2015 at 10:50am

I got back on the bike yesterday. I tend to let the storms pass and let the plows come thru to clean up a bit. Getting out of the 'hood is usually a bit rough, but riding on Elston is A-OK, along with the cleared out ruts on the side streets. Right now i'm riding from the North Mayfair neighborhood to either the Mayfair Metra or the Forest Glen Metra. Lately i've been the only or 1 of 2 bikers on the train!

Permalink Reply by Jim Reho on February 6, 2015 at 12:40pm
Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays me from my appointed rounds at the Skylark.
Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on February 6, 2015 at 3:28pm

Hey Tom, nice thing about the bungee cord is it stretches one out to a slow stop. HA. Seeya later.


Tom A.K. said:

Juan 2-8 miles, you are lucky, you were able to continue. I had the same type of bungee accident a few months back. It got jammed in and slowed then stopped the bike. I cut it but could not get it out. End of ride. Walked it to Comrade Cycles, fixed it in 5 minutes/no charge/I was buying other stuff I needed. I will try to make it out to the bike winter art show.Might see ya there.

Juan 2-8 mi. said:

Finding shelter Sunday after a bungee cord wraps around the rear cog and disengages the snap ring. Managed to cut the cord and put everything back together for the final trip home after dropping off my work for the bike winter art show.

Permalink Reply by Beans on February 6, 2015 at 4:30pm

To the fair weather riders; You really don't know what you're missing. We're having a great time out here.

Permalink Reply by Irvin Steinert on February 7, 2015 at 5:01pm

It depends on the type of snow and how deep. Good firm snowpack and you would have lot of fun on a fat bike. In loose snow a narrow tire is better at cutting right through to the pavement and studs will hep against slick pavement but will grip less than rubber on dry pavement - be careful!

Jim Reho said:

What size and type of tires do you guys recommend for this kind of riding?  What would you say is the minimum width?

Permalink Reply by Irvin Steinert on February 7, 2015 at 5:03pm

Shhhhh!

Beans said:

To the fair weather riders; You really don't know what you're missing. We're having a great time out here.

Permalink Reply by Alisa Hauser on February 10, 2015 at 7:01am

Just wanted to say thanks to Fran, who pointed out that the quick release wheels on my mountain bike could be easily stolen..   over the weekend I got the releases replaced with bolts, as well as a new much more comfortable seat and it turns out the handlebars can be adjusted so I am not leaning over them so far!  Could not spring the extra $30 for a back fender as I already dropped $80 doing all of the aforementioned at The Bike Lane, but I will prob be back there for a fender soon.

Permalink Reply by Fran Kondorf on February 10, 2015 at 11:02am

You're very welcome, Alisa. The Bike Lane is a great shop, so good choice.

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