I rode today. Did you?

Nice first ride in the COLD.

 

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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on January 13, 2012 at 5:03am

Last night WAS brutal. On today's ride in I was met with widely variable conditions from very good (bare salted pavement) to very bad (loose snow over ice).

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on January 13, 2012 at 5:35am

Yesterday was fine (I was only out riding until 1:45 in the afternoon).  I just wish I would have remembered my goggles!

Permalink Reply by E A on January 13, 2012 at 8:07am

I slipped and slid too much last night... and was disappointed at how poorly the main roads north were (Wells/Lincoln). Even with riding the mountain bike with big ole fat tires... fishtailing was just not fun. Side roads... nearly tipped several times.

Permalink Reply by E A on January 13, 2012 at 8:11am

Agreed - not a fan of the wet-packed snow.

I wouldn't have remained upright had it not been for the monster tires on the mountain bike I was riding (borrowed from a friend) with front disc brake... even better = stopping power :-)

Mike Zumwalt said:

Last evening was brutal. I forgot my goggles too, doh!

Usually ride my winter bikeasaurus mt. bike but the single/speed "fixie" not such a good idea,build up under the fenders, slipping of the back tire when pedaling, ice, snow pack on the brakes rendering them virtually useless.

The side streets had the wet pack snow as a nice layer of ice.

I took Fulton as far as Ashland then started heading North/West towards Humboldt.

Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on January 13, 2012 at 8:14am

I don't get it.  I'm riding on 38c's I think and all things considered I had a really easy ride last night.  I cut through whatever snow was left on the ground with real ease, which surprised me.  Went from Bucktown to the loop on Elston, then Milwaukee up to Grand and then down Washington and around that a'way.  

Permalink Reply by Lanterne Rouge on January 13, 2012 at 8:31am

38c studded? Or slick?

 

It seems to me that snow removal was in patches. I guess some main roads were salted and plowed pretty well while others were not?

Permalink Reply by Melanie K on January 13, 2012 at 8:42am

Not all the roads were well plowed or salted, and even some main stretches (Like North Lincoln Avenue and Wells) were done really well in some parts leaving a nice clean salted road, and some parts done half-assed in stretches, leaving huge patches of snow chunks, giant slush piles and icy spots. Maybe it is a Ward thing? Certain wards get cleaned up better than others? Not sure.  I had to push my bike from my side street (not plowed or salted) to get to Lincoln, which was pretty good in most areas, not so much in others.

Jim S said:

38c studded? Or slick?

 

It seems to me that snow removal was in patches. I guess some main roads were salted and plowed pretty well while others were not?

Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on January 13, 2012 at 8:47am

Not slick, but not studded with the metal rivets.  They are knobby, though, if that's what you mean.

 

Yeah I would come up to patches where the snow had accumulated in piles near the sides of the road and slow down but would eventually cut right through.  Then I started testing to see how easy it was with a little bit bigger piles and I really didn't experience any tailgating at all -- except when I went over the bridge on Washington (I think) that has the big metal grate.  Eeek.  

Jim S said:

38c studded? Or slick?

 

It seems to me that snow removal was in patches. I guess some main roads were salted and plowed pretty well while others were not?

Permalink Reply by Sara Gmitter on January 13, 2012 at 8:56am

I did fine last night until I crossed over into Evanston.  The northbound lane of Clark was pretty good but as soon as it turned into Chicago, I had to slow almost to walking pace.  The road kept getting worse and after lots of fishtailing and a near fall, I locked up at Main and took the train the rest of the way.  I was really disappointed because it was actually weirdly exciting to have my first goggle ride of the winter and I felt very well equipped w/ my nice fat tires and warm gear. I very nearly let my Bike Winter pride get in the way of good judgment.  I'll be out again tonight, hoping south Evanston got its act together.  

Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on January 13, 2012 at 8:57am

Do y'all have your knobby tires in front and back, or just back?

Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on January 13, 2012 at 9:02am

Both, here.  



Gene Tenner said:

Do y'all have your knobby tires in front and back, or just back?

Permalink Reply by ambimb on January 13, 2012 at 10:28am

The lakefront path was awesome last night around 5 p.m. (from Loop to north end) -- lots of snow and plenty slippy. A great workout. Clark st. was just fine this morning except for the copper copper crime stopper who parked in the bike lane then yelled at me to "be careful" when I had to move into the traffic lane to go around him. Thanks for that, CPD. 

Looks like the path is now clear from Oak St. north, so see you out there this evening!

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