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 Anne Alt on January 2, 2013 at 10:42am

Sometimes facial oil is actually useful.  ;)

Tony Adams said:

It is not exactly winter biking related... and I didn't so much learn it as remember it after not using it for many years. As you all probably recall, we had some rain and snow a couple of weeks ago. Like an idiot, I put my bike away wet, as well as my lock. The bike was fine this morning after being woken up after a two week holiday rest, but upon arriving at work I found my lock had a light layer of rust inside and was a bit sticky to open.

[GROSSNESS WARNING - MORE SENSITIVE READERS MAY WANT TO SKIP THIS NEXT PART]

I needed to clean that rust off before locking up or else I'd risk having more trouble opening it at the end of the day. Graphite of course is one of the best lock lubes but I did not have a pencil. Then I remembered the oiliest spot on my body - the sides of my nose. From there I was able to gather up enough human face oil to clean all the rust off of my lock. (Fortunately I had a barely used napkin from some holiday event in my pocket.)

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on January 2, 2013 at 11:00am

I'm confused--are you no longer riding to your workplace or did you find that there are more crazy people than you thought? :D

Jennifer said:

Today I learned that I'm no longer one of very few crazy people riding to my workplace in January.

Permalink Reply by Bill Savage on January 2, 2013 at 11:18am

Tony--I was expecting much worse than face oil.  Phew.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on January 2, 2013 at 1:25pm

Me, too.  ;)

Bill Savage said:

Tony--I was expecting much worse than face oil.  Phew.

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on January 2, 2013 at 2:20pm

I have learned that temperatures that sounded cold last week are not really cold now that temperatures were in the teens.  Twenties is a bit chilly.  Thirties is balmy!  What happens if we actually see zero?

Permalink Reply by Debra J on January 2, 2013 at 3:58pm
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 Kara B on January 2, 2013 at 5:34pm

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 Tricolor on January 3, 2013 at 5:52am

I learned there's something horribly wrong with my front tire.  It went flat this morning for the fourth time in my last three rides, this morning with a brand new tube after I got tired of patching the original.

And I saw a dead frozen rat in the road near Loyola University.  Does the full moon bring them out or something?

Oh, and uh, 9.8-10 miles one way, along the lake, 40 minutes most days though my best with a tailwind is 32.

Permalink Reply by mike w. on January 3, 2013 at 5:54am

Naw, that's just an alumnus.

Tricolor said:

 

...And I saw a dead frozen rat in the road near Loyola University.  Does the full moon bring them out or something?

Permalink Reply by Andrew on January 3, 2013 at 8:45am

To always check your bike for loose bolts. The bolt to my fender came loose, and I ended up having to ride 5 miles with it dragging on my front wheel.

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on January 3, 2013 at 9:16am



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 3:34am

I hate wind more than any other weather condition.

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