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 Alisa Hauser on February 5, 2015 at 1:20am
fenders? are they expensive? my bike is a hand me down and on a tight budget. though will have to wash my coat and bag soon from the slush so maybe worth it.
Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on February 5, 2015 at 3:38am

Planet Bike--you might need these because of the way that bike is set up: http://ecom1.planetbike.com/7016.html  They make fenders for as little as $29.99, but you will need to talk to a bike shop person to see if they would work on your bike.

Locally try Quick Release Bike shop at 1527 N. Ashland, Rapid Transit at 1900 W. North Avenue, Comrade Cycles at 1908 W. Chicago.

And congratulations on fully adopting the cycling life!  So nice to see another crazy person, er, convert.

Alisa Hauser said:

fenders? are they expensive? my bike is a hand me down and on a tight budget. though will have to wash my coat and bag soon from the slush so maybe worth it.
Permalink Reply by Fran Kondorf on February 5, 2015 at 4:07am

Lisa's right- fenders are your friends. You may find a used set (sorry, LBS's) on the list of Craig for cheap.

 I can't help but notice those unlocked wheels in your photo. QR skewers are a thief's delight, even in this weather. Try to find real bike racks and always lock through your wheel and frame.

Enjoy riding in winter and be safe out there.

Permalink Reply by Alisa Hauser on February 5, 2015 at 5:01am

Thank you, Fran! My friend that gave me the bike warned me about the wheels and said I should lock through the front wheel and get an additional cable for the back wheel. Clearly I did not do that in this pic...  was a couple min late to an appt and the nearest street racks was covered in snow. Have been riding bike since September and so far no wheel theft, but I should not take chances. Feel like a cable would be heavy and add more weight to carry. Already replaced one wheel (no more alley riding over glass etc., very stupid!) and it was almost $30.

I will look into used fenders on CL!  Does anyone here know if you can change handlebars on a bike to reposition? The bars on the mountain bike are very far forward, so I have to crouch over the bike. Between doing that a lot and staring down at a tiny laptop, my neck has been hurting. Would like to get bars that turn upward so I am sitting up straighter on the bike, kind of like a Divvy. Is that possible on this type of mountain bike?

Permalink Reply by Jaik S. on February 5, 2015 at 5:30am

Last night was the second time this winter and second time this week that I hit an ice pothole and it knocked me off my bike. The first time it was somewhat comedic. Tuesday I was on my way to work headed down a side street. I was overly confident in my navigation through the tire tracks and boom, I hit one. I wasn't going fast, and my bike just kind of stopped and I fell over to the right into a pile of soft snow. Last night I was going down another side street a bit faster than I should have. I hit an ice patch, then a ice pothole, then the bike slid out from under me throwing me into the slushy/icy middle of the road. My handlebars were thrown off alignment, but I was able to get them back with a little wrestling. Thankfully neither myself or my bike were badly damaged.

This winter has been easy, and I look forward to another nice big storm. This one that just hit was considered the fifth largest one in Chicago's history and didn't seem so bad.

Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on February 5, 2015 at 6:05am

I had a bike stolen so I'm probably overly cautious but I have two Kryptonite "U" locks and a cable. As much as I can, I try to use the "U" locks to lock the tires. This can be tricky with getting the tire, frame and pole hooked on the same lock so I keep a cable with me when I need extra.

With regards to your back and neck, I've found core work very helpful in taking the pain away. I mostly ride my road bike which puts me lower than my mountain bike. 

Alisa Hauser said:

Thank you, Fran! My friend that gave me the bike warned me about the wheels and said I should lock through the front wheel and get an additional cable for the back wheel. Clearly I did not do that in this pic...  was a couple min late to an appt and the nearest street racks was covered in snow. Have been riding bike since September and so far no wheel theft, but I should not take chances. Feel like a cable would be heavy and add more weight to carry. Already replaced one wheel (no more alley riding over glass etc., very stupid!) and it was almost $30.

I will look into used fenders on CL!  Does anyone here know if you can change handlebars on a bike to reposition? The bars on the mountain bike are very far forward, so I have to crouch over the bike. Between doing that a lot and staring down at a tiny laptop, my neck has been hurting. Would like to get bars that turn upward so I am sitting up straighter on the bike, kind of like a Divvy. Is that possible on this type of mountain bike?

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on February 5, 2015 at 6:12am


If the bike does not fit, core work is probably not the first answer. :-)

Yasmeen said:

<snip>

With regards to your back and neck, I've found core work very helpful in taking the pain away. 

 

Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on February 5, 2015 at 6:14am

Very true. Bike fit may be the issue. Core work is so good for riding, but yes, bike fit is super important.

Lisa Curcio 4.1mi said:


If the bike does not fit, core work is probably not the first answer. :-)

Yasmeen said:

<snip>

With regards to your back and neck, I've found core work very helpful in taking the pain away. 

 

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on February 5, 2015 at 8:09am
Alisa, glad to hear you are enjoying your 'cycling' adventure. Regarding fenders on your bike, suspended MTBs may not take well to fenders. These are clip-on fenders.(view attachment) Your handle bars perhaps can only be adjusted back slightly,(less than an inch). This bike is probably not a good fit for you. Also, don't forget to remove your blinkies (lights) when you lock up. People will steal 'em. Ride on!
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Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on February 5, 2015 at 8:29am

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 Chitown_Mike on February 5, 2015 at 10:28am

I rode today after not riding all week.....felt like I abandoned my other crazy commuters!  Would have taken a picture but was running short on time this morning, might snag one tonight.

Permalink Reply by Fran Kondorf on February 5, 2015 at 10:59am

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.

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