Long winter commuting on the lakeshore trail, possible with this setup?

Anyone commute long distance on the lakeshore path in the winter? I currently commute 27 miles both ways with most of it on the path (from the northern start to 31st street). I really want to take my bike out for winter commuting (haven't since last week) but don't know if my bike can handle the ice/snow. It is a Giant Cypress ST. Just put on fenders tonight (has front and back lights). Tires are Kenda Kwest (700x38c). Would be using the lakeshore detour (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=4...). What do you guys think? Is it possible without studded tires? Really eager to get back out but don't want to spend a fortune.

Views: 238

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Matt Milford on December 8, 2009 at 6:22pm
Also how are the conditions usually on the path? I hear it is cleared of snow but do they lay salt down as well? Before you flame, I did a search for the lakeshore trail for winter commuting but couldn't find much <:).

BTW I won't be commuting by bicycle on days that its snowing bad or blizzard conditions. Just want to be able to go out in a light snow and on the days its clear.
Permalink Reply by Matt Milford on December 8, 2009 at 6:38pm
hot hot hothothothot!
Permalink Reply by S on December 8, 2009 at 6:56pm

Just fyi, I'd avoid the curve just south of the oak st beach. The waves wash up onto the curve and the water freezes creating a sheet of ice for a lot of the winter. That part hasn't gotten plowed either due to the curve and the slope. This may have change with the repaving but, it's probably better to detour and take the underpass over to the loop at the oak st. beach and then go back to the path around navy pier.

Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on December 8, 2009 at 7:09pm
I agree with S.

That curve was the first thing that came to mind when I saw the thread topic. Not only is that stretch right at the water, but it's also ridiculously sloped. Slope plus ice sheet means bad news. Add snow or sleet to that, and you have a recipe for an accidental winter swim with your bike.

S said:

Just fyi, I'd avoid the curve just south of the oak st beach. The waves wash up onto the curve and the water freezes creating a sheet of ice for a lot of the winter. That part hasn't gotten plowed either due to the curve and the slope. This may have change with the repaving but, it's probably better to detour and take the underpass over to the loop at the oak st. beach and then go back to the path around navy pier.

Permalink Reply by Reddog (Cliff) on December 9, 2009 at 2:13am
That curve by the Oak street beach does get very bad in the wintertime. Last winter it was completely choked with thick Ice and was utterly un-passable. A thin un-even trail had been hammered out by runners, but you could not ride a bike through it. That little stretch becomes very treacherous indeed.
Permalink Reply by millenial removing Bernie tattoo on December 9, 2009 at 3:02am
Last winter as I was walking my bike around the bend I saw two roadies with 23 cm tires plow through the mess hardly slowing down and was quite impressed. Still would not reccommend it. Also, when the ice floe is new and slick, don't even try to walk across it.

Otherwise, the trail from Montrose to Monroe is usually clear.

Reddog said:
That curve by the Oak street beach does get very bad in the wintertime. Last winter it was completely choked with thick Ice and was utterly un-passable. A thin un-even trail had been hammered out by runners, but you could not ride a bike through it. That little stretch becomes very treacherous indeed.
Permalink Reply by JeffB on December 9, 2009 at 3:59am
Watch out for the stretch just south of Fullerton. Its close to the water and often gets washed over and icy. I took a bad spill there last year.
Permalink Reply by Active Transportation Alliance on December 9, 2009 at 4:34am
We provide updates on Lakefront Trail conditions, events, etc. at www.activetrans.org/lakefront and we work with the Park District to push for necessary repairs or maintenance.

Anyone can jump in and add comments/questions to help out.

10 years ago it wasn't possible to commute on the Lakefront Trail during the winter but we've pushed for year-round maintenance that brings snow clearance/salting so your chances are much greater these days.

Of course, if it's incredibly nasty out, make the safest choice for you.

Ethan, with Active Trans
Permalink Reply by Matt Milford on December 9, 2009 at 5:16am
Excellent. So if I avoid the few spots where the trail is directly adjacent to the water I should be good most of the winter correct? Anyone have a pair of tires for a 700c (662 mm i think) they like to use for winter? I really don't want to spend $50 a tire for studded but would like something with a little more meat.
Permalink Reply by Duppie on December 9, 2009 at 5:57am
Why were you impressed? I would think that 23 cm tires should allow you to plow through anything with immunity ;)

envane x said:
Last winter as I was walking my bike around the bend I saw two roadies with 23 cm tires plow through the mess hardly slowing down and was quite impressed. Still would not reccommend it. Also, when the ice floe is new and slick, don't even try to walk across it.
Otherwise, the trail from Montrose to Monroe is usually clear.
Reddog said:
That curve by the Oak street beach does get very bad in the wintertime. Last winter it was completely choked with thick Ice and was utterly un-passable. A thin un-even trail had been hammered out by runners, but you could not ride a bike through it. That little stretch becomes very treacherous indeed.
Permalink Reply by Duppie on December 9, 2009 at 8:10am
Like Ethan said, the trail is usually cleared after snow fall, but some circumstances (repeated thaw-frost cycles, blowing snow, etc. after the path has been cleared) may make the trail hard to ride at times.
I think your bike will be fine. If you want to spend some money I would put it to tires. Sorry, no recommendations from me.
Also make sure you are dressed properly. When the wind comes off the lake, it can really cool you off quickly.

I ride from the Northside to downtown. In the winter I usually ride on the streets. I find the road conditions to be more predictable than the path conditions, and I don't have to deal with the wind as much

Good luck,
Frank
Permalink Reply by burden on December 9, 2009 at 10:56am
Even relatively heavy, uncleared snowfall is often rideable on most of the LFT, where there are no cars churning the snow into viscous gray porridge, breaking it into bouldery chunks or packing it into icy monster ruts. Fresh snow's just fresh snow out there, and it can be a real pleasure to break a trail through it on a bike.

I find the lakefront most treacherous in the early spring, when small puddles in low spots freeze over and lurk there waiting for you to assume that everything's thawed.

The only times I've given up on the trail, it was because the lake was throwing crazy stuff through the air hard enough to really hurt.

RSS

Groups

© 2008-2016   The Chainlink Community, L.L.C.   Powered by

Disclaimer  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service