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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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on January 9, 2013 at 3:47pm

How about a new Bike Winter challenge: How many places have you biked to for baklava wearing your balaclava?

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on January 9, 2013 at 3:56pm

That sounds like suitable inspiration for a ride. ;)

Lisa Curcio 4.0 mi said:

How about a new Bike Winter challenge: How many places have you biked to for baklava wearing your balaclava?

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Permalink Reply by We all have an inner Beast... on January 10, 2013 at 2:39am

MMMMMMMMmmmmmmmm....Baklava........ (in a Homer Simpson voice)

Kevin C 4.1 mi said:

Baklava:

Balaclava:

It's a common Bike Winter error.

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Permalink Reply by Bill Savage on January 10, 2013 at 12:37pm

EVeryone should do this with all cabs blocking bike lanes!

Julie M. said:

I learned that I shouldn't say my usual "mmm, bacon" out loud when I'm passing Yolk on Wells on days like today, when there's so many more cyclists around.

I also learned that you can look up the cab company a specific cab belongs to here:

http://www.cityofchicago.org/content/dam/city/depts/bacp/publicvehi...

which is convenient for reporting cabs that are blocking the protected lane on Dearborn.

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Permalink Reply by Bill Savage on January 10, 2013 at 12:38pm

Yes, it does.

Tony Adams 6.6 mi said:

So does having a gut full of baklava have a warming effect? (burning calories?) or an apparent cooling effect as blood is drawn from the extremities to aid in digestion?

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Permalink Reply by JeffB on January 10, 2013 at 4:23pm

Whenever I cover my mouth and nose like that, my breath gets redirected up to my glasses, fogging them. Do you have that problem?

Haddon said:

Since it seems relevant this is my Self Portrait (Winterized)

Gear: Bell Helmet, blink-light zip tied to helmet, nylon hat, polyester neck wrap, clear sports glasses, 3M mitten-gloves worn to crap. I have a baklava (which spell checker doesn't catch, should read Balaclava) but only wear it when it's single or low double digits in temperature. Tried lab goggles but they cut down on peripheral vision too much for me.

And your Self Portrait (Winterized) and what works for you? I mean, we all look like a bunch bank robbers right?

H

PS of course the Great Road Kill Patch from Chicago is in Lake Michigan.

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Permalink Reply by Haddon on January 10, 2013 at 4:56pm

Only for a moment and the wind takes it away, I've had that problem in the past but these glasses seem to have the right balance of protection vs airflow. Without them I'm totally miserable, nerd out on eyes and temperature sensation. H

Whenever I cover my mouth and nose like that, my breath gets redirected up to my glasses, fogging them. Do you have that problem?

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Permalink Reply by Mark Potts on January 10, 2013 at 5:44pm

Today I rolled through the streets of Beverly... and IMO its an EXCELLENT training grounds. Its about as "hilly" as it gets around here, and there is a ridge of sorts that runs parallel to longwood drive - I went up the hill on one street, went a bit south, down the hill on the next block, then back up the next block. Its short but very steep - although there are places where the climb stretches out a bit. I have no idea how people deal with this when it gets icey.

Just southeast of 95th and kedzie there is a freshly paved neighborhood that has little to no traffic mid day - *excellent* to do some crit style laps, maybe even hold one if the folks were down for it. This is probably outside of Beverly, but its in the area.

I also learned that I'm not totally immune to getting sick... its been years, but I got a lil bug yesterday and it made the 25 miles today quite a bit rougher. This is probably linked to my eating significantly less to drop some lbs by spring.

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Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on January 10, 2013 at 5:47pm

I have the same problem, but fortunately only have felt the need to wear a balaclava once so far this winter, and it was mild enough to leave my lower face uncovered.

I think it may technically be illegal to have a red light showing forwards?

JeffB said:

Whenever I cover my mouth and nose like that, my breath gets redirected up to my glasses, fogging them. Do you have that problem?

Haddon said:

Since it seems relevant this is my Self Portrait (Winterized)

Gear: Bell Helmet, blink-light zip tied to helmet, nylon hat, polyester neck wrap, clear sports glasses, 3M mitten-gloves worn to crap. I have a baklava (which spell checker doesn't catch, should read Balaclava) but only wear it when it's single or low double digits in temperature. Tried lab goggles but they cut down on peripheral vision too much for me.

And your Self Portrait (Winterized) and what works for you? I mean, we all look like a bunch bank robbers right?

H

PS of course the Great Road Kill Patch from Chicago is in Lake Michigan.

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Permalink Reply by Wolf-Pup on January 10, 2013 at 6:20pm

I've also learned that one must start off the ride a little cold to avoid overheating. But I hate the damn cold so much I sometimes overlayer intentionally. I just wear lots of unzippable layers so that way I don't worry about the cold...and when it gets hot I unzip and I feel good. :) Also zippers are fun. I like unzipping.

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Permalink Reply by Wolf-Pup on January 10, 2013 at 6:23pm

I'm posting your cab thing on Facebook. I had no idea.

Cheryl said:

I had no idea such a site existed - awesome.

Julie M. said:

I learned that I shouldn't say my usual "mmm, bacon" out loud when I'm passing Yolk on Wells on days like today, when there's so many more cyclists around.

I also learned that you can look up the cab company a specific cab belongs to here:

http://www.cityofchicago.org/content/dam/city/depts/bacp/publicvehi...

which is convenient for reporting cabs that are blocking the protected lane on Dearborn.