My first snow ride. Two words,...Absolutely terrifying

Two words,...absolutely terrifying. Today was my first snow ride to work and I must say that it was not how I wanted to start my Monday morning. I was fully prepared with all of the proper snow biking equipement and was excited for my first winter ride. After all everyone says that it is a lot of fun and I have always thought of myself as a courageous person, but not today. I was scared out of my mind the entire ride. I almost slipped twice within the first 500 feet. Turning back to go home and drive was an option but I figured it would get better once I got to a properly salted road, but I was mistaken. I had several cars honk at me and I was trying to avoid the snow/slush the entire way, not to mention the cars that flew past me and covered me with slush off of their cars. I dunno maybe this will be more enjoyable if its not so wet outside and people are not hurrying to try to get to work. I will continue to ride to work on cold days and days where there is a light snow but if its anything like today forget it.

Any tips to gain fearlessness while riding to work in these conditions???

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Permalink Reply by DavID on December 1, 2008 at 1:32pm

Fixed in the snow, for couple of years now =) usually don't use brakes, but recommend them. do as i say not as i do....ha ha ...sorry

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Permalink Reply by Danielle on December 1, 2008 at 1:39pm

Riding fixed in the snow is awesome! especially when your brakes decide that they don't want to work on your icy rims. You have much better control of your speed, and you have a better feel of what the road is actually like, which makes you more cautious of how you bike. Whoo fixed! This year, I have fenders.

Fenders=hell yes.

Bikefreeek said:

I have to admit it, today was my first fixed snow commute! The under layer of ice proved exciting and I was a bit concerned that if my pony threw me whether or not she would then kick me with a pedal, being fixed and all. It's not unusual for me to take a spill or two at the start of the snow and ice season, but I'm not looking forward to having my pedal and crank bite me while I go down. I'm thinking that I'll flip to the freewheel side, but I might give fixed a go.

How's it been for other fixed riders on the snow and ice?

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Permalink Reply by DavID on December 1, 2008 at 2:10pm

Fenders hell yeah!!! i had to rig mine with cable ties, my bike wasn't made for em. A great upgrade and well worth the time it took to make em fit!

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Permalink Reply by LeslieB on December 1, 2008 at 2:50pm

Thanks for the advice. I took a different rode on the way home that was much better and it wasn't snowing/raining so that helps too. On the way to work I took Milwaukee and it was just too crazy, so I decided to take Adams to Damen up to Division on the way home.

John said:

The fact that you took the plunge and stuck with it is most important. Congratulations on facing your fears! They will grow smaller by the mile and day.

The first few snowy days are adjustment days for drivers and pedestrians, too. Even though this happens here EVERY YEAR, we all seem to collectively block out how to operate in snow as soon as it goes away. Drivers relearn how to start from a stop, how to stop and navigate both arterial and back streets. As pedestrians, we suddenly realize we can't cross intersections as fast as the week before. Exercise more patience (both for yourself and others) than you might otherwise. Try to leave earlier until you are more comfortable with the ride. Not being in a hurry helps remove some of the stress. Some people make a stop halfway there to grab a cup of coffee, or just hop off and take five to make it two shorter trips.

Try several routes and find one that is best for you. For some, it is dedicated bike lanes (as much as possible); for others, it is side streets with less traffic. You may start with one and adjust to another as your confidence grows.

If it is an option, ride with others or meet them along the way. Knowing there is support for you can make a big difference too.

Good luck and keep at it - hope to see you on the streets! I'll be the guy behind the snowplow getting shotgunned with salt.

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Permalink Reply by LeslieB on December 1, 2008 at 2:57pm

Thanks for the support and great advice. Every little bit helps. I am definitely going to keep riding this winter but I might be a little bit more selective on the days. The ride home wasn't as bad as the way there. I took a different route that wasn't so busy.

h3 said:

For Leslie,
A mountain bike with road tires is -almost- optimal for winter in my opinion, however I would keep the slick on the front and go with something with a little bit of tread around the outer edges in the back. That way you can track straight and cut through icy slush but still get some traction to push forward when you need it.
To partially reiterate what others have said:
-The first day after a snow (or still during) is hard. If there's a way to get to work other than completely by bike on those days, take it. In a typical winter days like that are a minority. That said, what is up with these snows that turn into a layer of ice by the time you get home in the evening? It didn't used to be like this (until last year).
-take secondary streets if you at all can
-allow a -lot- more time than usual
-being honked at is not normal, and nobody should ever have to get used to it. I rarely have any sort of interaction with cars on my way to work (which is only a mile, but that's not by accident).
-the fear of slipping goes away as you get better. But you should be on the ready to do a 3-point landing (bike and 2 feet) at all times during a ride on snow or ice. On mornings like today it's important to remember that even though the area around intersections looks the same as the rest of the pavement it's always more slippery from cars stopping repeatedly. If there's anywhere you're going to have difficulty tracking it's there.
-try to lose the concept of there being some sort of "stickiness" between bike and road that holds the bike up. You're just balancing on two points on icy pavement the same as on dry pavement. Let a bit loose on the handlebar, make sure your weight is shifted back, and, as long as you're on a level suface, just think about "floating" slowly ahead.
-most importantly, the commute you described in this morning's conditions would be fun for no sane (or honest) person, so don't let anyone lead you to believe there's something wrong with you if it seemed more like a nightmare than a daydream.

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Permalink Reply by Dottie on December 2, 2008 at 2:33am

Yesterday was my first snow ride, too. I took the lake front path, which was not plowed at all. It was trecherous but fun. Amazingly, I did not fall, though I slipped a few times. Took me forever to get to work, so I don't think I'll be doing that right after a big snow fall in the future, but I'm glad I did it. I was thinking I should have taken Lincoln/Wells, but it sounds like that would have been worse.

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Permalink Reply by millenial removing Bernie tattoo on December 2, 2008 at 3:14am

Lakefront Path was a skating rink at Montrose this morning, had to take the streets in, which were nice and clear.

Better out riding than freezing on an el platform.

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Permalink Reply by E A on December 2, 2008 at 4:02am

Last night's bike lanes on Wells and part of Lincoln were not plowed at all .... lots of icy slush alongside parked cars. Yes, treacherous. I hope this lack of plowing/salt in the bike lanes is not a sign of what the rest of winter riding will be like. Is the city is low on salt this year....???

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Permalink Reply by Jon on December 2, 2008 at 6:08am

As Calvin's dad would say, "it builds character".

That and handling skills/confidence.

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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on December 2, 2008 at 6:21am

I also did some riding last night and it was great! My street wasn't plowed but my mountain bike safely lead me all the way the Cobra Lounge. Agreed though, it takes a bit longer with this weather to get where I need to go, but I feel accomplished to be trying the winter biking thing (even though I wasn't out during the heavy stuff in the day).