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I rode today. Did you?

Nice first ride in the COLD.

 

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Permalink Reply by Duppie on February 1, 2011 at 2:27pm

Sounds like the weather gods listened to your whining prayers. It started snowing with 25+mph Eastern winds.

 

At least that is what it says on my laptop. Haven't been outside today. Working from home on a day like this: Priceless.

 


JeffB said:

Every time I look out the window and see no snow I get more pissed that I didn't ride today; my first missed day this winter.  It better be blizzarding by the time I leave.

Serge Lubomudrov said:
I hope the blizzard will turn blizzardy enough tonight to justify my CTA ride to work! :)
Permalink Reply by Duppie on February 1, 2011 at 2:45pm

I just ventured outside to bring in the blue bins. Boy, is it nasty outside.

To those riding home: be careful.

I can't wait to hear the war stories

 

Duppie said:

Sounds like the weather gods listened to your whining prayers. It started snowing with 25+mph Eastern winds.

 

At least that is what it says on my laptop. Haven't been outside today. Working from home on a day like this: Priceless.

 


JeffB said:

Every time I look out the window and see no snow I get more pissed that I didn't ride today; my first missed day this winter.  It better be blizzarding by the time I leave.

Serge Lubomudrov said:
I hope the blizzard will turn blizzardy enough tonight to justify my CTA ride to work! :)
Permalink Reply by Barclor on February 1, 2011 at 2:57pm

I'm about to head out. Looks pretty nasty. This will be a true test of my will power.

 

Here goes.....


Duppie said:

I just ventured outside to bring in the blue bins. Boy, is it nasty outside.

To those riding home: be careful.

I can't wait to hear the war stories

 

Duppie said:

Sounds like the weather gods listened to your whining prayers. It started snowing with 25+mph Eastern winds.

 

At least that is what it says on my laptop. Haven't been outside today. Working from home on a day like this: Priceless.

 


JeffB said:

Every time I look out the window and see no snow I get more pissed that I didn't ride today; my first missed day this winter.  It better be blizzarding by the time I leave.

Serge Lubomudrov said:
I hope the blizzard will turn blizzardy enough tonight to justify my CTA ride to work! :)
Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on February 1, 2011 at 3:13pm

The conditions are really bad for cycling right now. I rode home on Milwaukee ave and the snow was rutted and hard packed. It's not powdery or wet, so tire contact with pavement can be sketchy. The wind is strong enough to blow you off line. I periodically applied my brakes to help keep my rims clean.  The cars were giving me plenty of room though.

 

In other words: Be careful out there!

Permalink Reply by Matt Wolfe on February 1, 2011 at 3:21pm

Phew.  I felt triumphant leaving the loop.  One office worker stepped out of the elevator to say "oh my god are you biking?!?"  To my of course he raised his fist high and said "Rock On!"

 

The open bridge over Madison was super hairy and I had two taxis dump passengers while on the bridge.  West on Lake was good until Halsted.  Fulton further west was getting messy, packed and rutted snow.  On Morgan I dismounted to walk across the train tracks.  I got back on for about 100 yards before the snow became too deep from blowing/piling snow.  So I just walked the remaining 5 blocks home.  Hubbard would have been ride-able but there was much traffic and I didn't want to push it.  

 

All total I was outside for maybe 15 minutes and the rolls in my pants were filled with snow when I got home.  To anyone else who rode today, "Rock On" and be careful going home. 

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on February 1, 2011 at 3:25pm

I'm having a hard time understanding the mass hysteria (I mean around me, not in this thread).

I look outside and I see that we're having a snowstorm.  Alright, a few days a year it's not that easy to get around. I've just received word we're cancelling outpatients tomorrow to be available for "external disaster" standby.

Permalink Reply by knowbody on February 1, 2011 at 3:40pm
...the sky is falling.
Permalink Reply by millenial removing Bernie tattoo on February 1, 2011 at 3:49pm

These are the same conditions that resulted in:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Blizzard_of_1967

 

Understand?

H3N3 said:

I'm having a hard time understanding the mass hysteria (I mean around me, not in this thread).

I look outside and I see that we're having a snowstorm.  Alright, a few days a year it's not that easy to get around. I've just received word we're cancelling outpatients tomorrow to be available for "external disaster" standby.

Permalink Reply by Gin on February 1, 2011 at 3:57pm

Ya'll know I am about as chipper as they come when it comes to winter biking, but I just got home with Miguel in the trailer and can report honestly that conditions are pretty rough.  The last mile due north was hard--between the wind pushing me back and the rutted, but not rutted enough snow, I had a hard time gaining traction. I actually had to walk in sections, which is extra challenging with a trailer. Most people in cars were friendly and understanding, a few were really mean.* I usually have good luck using bus routes for winter biking, as they get plowed, but I guess we are too in the thick of it right now.

 

That said, I agree with Howard--yup, it's a snow storm. Adjust your travel expectations accordingly. Slow down and smile at your fellow travelers. Days like this make me grateful what I have my special gear, like goggles, which really helped with my visibility.

 

*One driver I caught up to at Armitage and Kimball (b/c, you know, *everyone* was going slowly) yelled at me that I should not be biking in these conditions. I yelled back that then he should not be driving. I mean,come on, we are all doing the best we can. He had all kinds of nice names for me as he pulled away. Thankfully, Miguel did not hear. Doubly thankfully, most people are awesome.

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on February 1, 2011 at 4:08pm
Just got back to Wicker Park from the Loop and I'm apparently late with the news, but in agreement that the conditions are hairy. The snow isn't deep enough yet to cover the underlying ice, which makes for very poor traction. The wind is strong and though predominately out of the northeast, swirls depending on buildings and overpasses; i.e. you better be comfortable sliding sideways away from your intended path. Other than that I had a very successful and satisfying Cat 6 heat-I think I got passed by a grand total of 4 cars. Be careful. Have fun.
Permalink Reply by Gin on February 1, 2011 at 4:13pm
Chicago Public Schools are closed tomorrow. That's a big deal--they always want to keep the schools open for kids who might not have a place to be during the day. Please be safe out there--get off your bike and walk if you need to.
Permalink Reply by Rico on February 1, 2011 at 4:19pm
Just made it home from the loop (55 min) to Logan Square, a very hairy ride due to the wind. Be careful out there and try to ride in groups for visibility.

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