I rode today. Did you?

Nice first ride in the COLD.

 

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Permalink Reply by Joe Studer 8.0 mi on February 5, 2013 at 5:13am

For those that ride south of the Loop, the Chicago Parks District is doing a fantastic job of clearing the Lake Front Trail.  The LFT was well plowed and well salted from the Loop south (at least through Hyde Park).  While the path was wet, I've not encountered any ice, and the path was essentially clear of snow.  Yesterday and today.

Permalink Reply by Tricolor on February 5, 2013 at 5:21am

Salt's one of my pet peeves.  The city doesn't need to put down so much on the trail if they plow it early and let the sun (such as it is) melt off the rest.  This is based on a childhood of always having to keep the driveway clear.

Thinner tires should punch through some snow better than wider ones, but the tread - or lack of tread - is probably the bigger factor.  You'd have to get up into the clown bike size tires to start to roll over snow.

Jenn_5.5 mi said:

Today was worse than yesterday. When I tried to ride in the bike lane I kept slipping. Much easier in the car lane. This leads me to believe that I need another bike with 'fatter' tires cause this cheap road bike with slim/slick tires did not like today.

Permalink Reply by Jenn_5.5 mi on February 5, 2013 at 5:28am

I am always looking for an excuse for a new bike... but something as simple a new/better tires is much more logical. 

Tricolor said:

Thinner tires should punch through some snow better than wider ones, but the tread - or lack of tread - is probably the bigger factor.  You'd have to get up into the clown bike size tires to start to roll over snow.


Jenn_5.5 mi said:

Today was worse than yesterday. When I tried to ride in the bike lane I kept slipping. Much easier in the car lane. This leads me to believe that I need another bike with 'fatter' tires cause this cheap road bike with slim/slick tires did not like today.

Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on February 5, 2013 at 6:50am

I just got this from Notify Chicago: Moderate to heavy snowfall expected about 1-3pm. Snow will fall heavy at times with accumulations of 1 - 1 1/2". Periods of low visibility expected.

Permalink Reply by Lisa Curcio on February 5, 2013 at 6:55am

So will the "little or no accumulation" forecast from this morning be correct or the "accumulations of 1 - 1 1/2 inches" be correct.  Stay tuned and look out the window!
 
Gene Tenner said:

I just got this from Notify Chicago: Moderate to heavy snowfall expected about 1-3pm. Snow will fall heavy at times with accumulations of 1 - 1 1/2". Periods of low visibility expected.

Permalink Reply by Tricolor on February 5, 2013 at 12:13pm

A new bike is always nice.  I commuted on a 23mm tired road bike for years before I bought a touring bike with big fat 37mm tires.  So comfortable.  So heavy.  Worth it.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on February 5, 2013 at 1:28pm

On the way home I noticed a guy shoveling snow in the eastbound Kinzie PBL. It was along the building that house the Holiday Inn and Sun-Times. He was doing a thorough job at it.

I don't have a proper camera-phone, so I didn't any pictures.

I tried to find the management company to send them a message, but came up empty. Anyone knows who manages that building? I think it is called the Chicago-Mart building.

Permalink Reply by in it to win it 8.0 mi on February 6, 2013 at 2:49am

Streets seemed in better shape today than yesterday.  Still not super clear.

Montrose&Broadway/Halsted/Clark&Van Buren

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on February 6, 2013 at 4:59am

The Goodman Theatre did a pretty half-assed job clearing the Dearborn bike lane. It's still covered with ice/snow, albeit less than yesterday. Still dangerous to bike though; I almost slipped on a patch of ice in front of the main entrance. They should have salted in addition to shoveling. It's clear that no salt was applied.

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on February 6, 2013 at 5:34am

There are Chicago Ordinances requiring residents and businesses to keep sidewalks clear of snow and ice. Though not part of the Ordinances, the City offers additional guidance for snow removal requesting residents and businesses not push snow from the sidewalk into the street. The City of Chicago is responsible for clearing snow and ice from the public way, which would include bicycle infrastructure. Goodman is required to clear snow from its sidewalk. It is recommended that Goodman not push snow from the sidewalk into the public way. There is no requirement that Goodman clear snow from the PBL in either a full or partial assed way.

Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

The Goodman Theatre did a pretty half-assed job clearing the Dearborn bike lane. It's still covered with ice/snow, albeit less than yesterday. Still dangerous to bike though; I almost slipped on a patch of ice in front of the main entrance. They should have salted in addition to shoveling. It's clear that no salt was applied.

Permalink Reply by Luke Gardner on February 6, 2013 at 5:37am

had to ride on my girlfriend's bike after a failed handlebar install all last week...her bike is so small...ouch my aching back...once I was back on my bike: straight to going for long rides up north. holy cow! - the weather was terrible this week. feet got cold many times but the snow was too beautiful to pass up. now to commute in the saltyslush...not so fun, but still a rush.

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on February 6, 2013 at 6:02am

This is certainly true, but when the theatre promised to remedy the issue, I (incorrectly) assumed that they would actually clear the bike lane instead of just making it seem like they did something.

Kevin C 4.1 mi said:

There are Chicago Ordinances requiring residents and businesses to keep sidewalks clear of snow and ice. Though not part of the Ordinances, the City offers additional guidance for snow removal requesting residents and businesses not push snow from the sidewalk into the street. The City of Chicago is responsible for clearing snow and ice from the public way, which would include bicycle infrastructure. Goodman is required to clear snow from its sidewalk. It is recommended that Goodman not push snow from the sidewalk into the public way. There is no requirement that Goodman clear snow from the PBL in either a full or partial assed way.

Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

The Goodman Theatre did a pretty half-assed job clearing the Dearborn bike lane. It's still covered with ice/snow, albeit less than yesterday. Still dangerous to bike though; I almost slipped on a patch of ice in front of the main entrance. They should have salted in addition to shoveling. It's clear that no salt was applied.

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