Winter 2015- who's still riding?

Traffic 'round these parts dropped off pretty dramatically a few weeks ago... hard to tell from the "I rode today" thread who's still riding, as one would have to conclude that Gene is the only one out there most days by reading it....

Who's sticking it out and plans to continue to ride pretty much every day regardless of weather?

(Was winter 2013;   2014 starts on p. 36;   2015 starts on p. 61)

 

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Permalink Reply by JMinHP on January 24, 2013 at 9:38am

It's the salt that has me on the CTA today.  I rode through every condition a few winters ago, and the salt destroyed my bike.  What does everyone do to keep their bike in shape if you ride in the salty slush?  

Kevin C 4.1 mi said:

The roads in the Loop are free of snow with a smattering of salt. At the very least, main roads will be snow free, secondary roads should be 99% clear as well. We really didn't get much snow at all.

Permalink Reply by Rich S on January 24, 2013 at 9:44am

Full coverage fenders go a long way to keeping salt and crud off the bike.  

JM 6.5 said:

It's the salt that has me on the CTA today.  I rode through every condition a few winters ago, and the salt destroyed my bike.  What does everyone do to keep their bike in shape if you ride in the salty slush?  

Kevin C 4.1 mi said:

The roads in the Loop are free of snow with a smattering of salt. At the very least, main roads will be snow free, secondary roads should be 99% clear as well. We really didn't get much snow at all.

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on January 24, 2013 at 9:51am

Yup, full fenders make a big difference. A bike sponge bath every week or so (as needed) helps too.

Rich S said:

Full coverage fenders go a long way to keeping salt and crud off the bike.  

JM 6.5 said:

It's the salt that has me on the CTA today.  I rode through every condition a few winters ago, and the salt destroyed my bike.  What does everyone do to keep their bike in shape if you ride in the salty slush?  

Kevin C 4.1 mi said:

The roads in the Loop are free of snow with a smattering of salt. At the very least, main roads will be snow free, secondary roads should be 99% clear as well. We really didn't get much snow at all.

Permalink Reply by JMinHP on January 24, 2013 at 10:01am

Thanks, guys.  I had full fenders but I was probably too lax on washing the bike down after rides in the slush.  It actually got so bad that the shift cable rusted in the housing end cap!  My bike at the time was a Trek FX, and the aluminum frame gave me a false sense of confidence with regards to rust (which was a bad idea).  Unfortunately the Trek was stolen last year after I rebuilt it as an Xtracycle.  

I now commute on my trusty 12-year old LeMond steel frame, and after the experience with the rust I'm even more apprehensive to ride a steel frame on salted roads.

Permalink Reply by Crazy David 84 Furlongs on January 24, 2013 at 10:07am

I'd love to have studded tires.  They don't make them in size 27 and I just don't see how I can convert my current bicycle to 700's.    The brakes don't have a long enough reach.

Chi Lowe 12.5+ mi said:

If it's feasible price-wise for you, call around to some LBS' and find out if they have any studded tires in stock (or post to this thread).
Permalink Reply by GEORGE VANDERFOR on January 24, 2013 at 10:10am

My buddy Fo still riding i drive from jan 1 till the end of feb but will ride when there is a nice day like next week they are talking 40's

Permalink Reply by GREGORY E DAVIES on January 24, 2013 at 10:13am

Riding. Every. Day. Hey there, h'.

Permalink Reply by Rich Evans on January 24, 2013 at 11:03am

Full fenders help a lot, as does frequent washing.  I actually put one of those wall rack thingys in our basement shower, and it's great.  If you can't wash anything else, rinse off, dry, and lube your chain/cables as they get salted/slushed. Also, replace your chain (it's a lot cheaper than your casette and derailleurs) every 900 winter miles. 

Permalink Reply by Adam Kitzmann on January 24, 2013 at 11:57am

Yep. 

Peenworm Grubologist said:

Well I'll probably still need to get to places over the winter, so, 

Permalink Reply by Steve Weeks on January 24, 2013 at 12:21pm

Just get an inexpensive chain checker tool and replace the chain when it reaches 1% elongation. You may get a lot more than 900 miles out of a chain. This one works well: http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10054_10551_1030356_-1...

Steve

Rich Evans said:

 Also, replace your chain (it's a lot cheaper than your casette and derailleurs) every 900 winter miles. 

Permalink Reply by Steve Weeks on January 24, 2013 at 12:27pm

Depending on how much winter riding you do, it might be worthwhile getting a bike with wheels that will accept available studded tires. A mountain bike (26") would be perfect.

Steve

David crZven 10.6 said:

I'd love to have studded tires.  They don't make them in size 27 and I just don't see how I can convert my current bicycle to 700's.    The brakes don't have a long enough reach.

Permalink Reply by Teresa on January 24, 2013 at 2:55pm

Thanks Chi. Good advice. The roads were pretty clear by the time I left work. The lake front path was the worst stretch. Am going to get up early tomorrow and see how white the ground. :)

Chi Lowe 12.5+ mi said:

Teresa - it's my first winter too.  

Seems like there's a huge amount of salt out there now, but as a person who has hit the deck hard a couple times already, three pieces of advice if you decide not to hitch a ride on the CTA:

  1. Be careful turning corners (go *very* slowly)
  2. Be careful on bridges, and especially on steel manhole / service covers.  These get very slippery even if they're not icy.
  3. If it's feasible price-wise for you, call around to some LBS' and find out if they have any studded tires in stock (or post to this thread).

Good luck and be safe!


Teresa said:

I biked today. It's my first winter and as I sit here looking out my window I'm a little worried about getting home in the snow. Any advice? Do all CTA buses have bike racks in case I chicken out?

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