2013 Winter Biking: What I Learned Today

So, not trying to take over for the I Rode Today forum, but it's got a million comments, so let's start a Winter Bike thread for this season.

What I learned today, riding from Rogers Park to 5600 West on Belmont, and back, via various side-streets (and then lots of Montrose) and Hopleaf:

When rats are road-killed in this weather, they freeze into little blocks of bloody ice (2800 block of West Montrose).

When I'm cold enough, I will aim for the jets of steamy air coming up from the storm sewers--quite refreshing (1900 block of West Winona).

Biking in the city is a constant learning experience. What'd you learn lately?

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Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on January 8, 2013 at 4:44pm

Roadkill removal: I would suppose that the street sweepers that go by once per month remove the pesky-critter corpses. Dead cattle or similarly-sized creatures, on the other hand, are removed by a call to the Alderman, Streets and Sanitation or 311 ... size matters in this case.

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Permalink Reply by yai danche on January 8, 2013 at 6:12pm

not only do i worry about the car exhaust fumes i've been breathing in, now i have to worry about roadkill particles. winter riding has meant no longer seeing cute little bunnies on the lakefront path and i have the path pretty much all to myself!

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Permalink Reply by Julie M. on January 9, 2013 at 2:47am

I learned that I shouldn't say my usual "mmm, bacon" out loud when I'm passing Yolk on Wells on days like today, when there's so many more cyclists around.

I also learned that you can look up the cab company a specific cab belongs to here:

http://www.cityofchicago.org/content/dam/city/depts/bacp/publicvehi...

which is convenient for reporting cabs that are blocking the protected lane on Dearborn.

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on January 9, 2013 at 5:00am

Goggles make an amazing difference in eliminating the problem of eyes watering in the cold, and even stopping or minimizing snot-so-fun sinus effects.

Reba 4.0 mi said:

aside from looking like a giant bug, GOOGLES ROCK!!!

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Permalink Reply by JMinHP on January 9, 2013 at 6:35am

I'm reminded that because it's winter people are less apt to look for or be aware of cyclists. This applies even though it has been relatively mild out thus far. It's not beach weather, so people just assume that no one is around on bikes.

Combine this lack of awareness with the decreased sunlight and it makes for a more perilous commute in the evenings. I've been almost-doored more in the past week than all spring/summer/fall.

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Permalink Reply by Cheryl on January 9, 2013 at 8:20am

I had no idea such a site existed - awesome.

Julie M. said:

I learned that I shouldn't say my usual "mmm, bacon" out loud when I'm passing Yolk on Wells on days like today, when there's so many more cyclists around.

I also learned that you can look up the cab company a specific cab belongs to here:

http://www.cityofchicago.org/content/dam/city/depts/bacp/publicvehi...

which is convenient for reporting cabs that are blocking the protected lane on Dearborn.

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Permalink Reply by Reba 4.0 mi on January 9, 2013 at 8:23am

Er, yes that would be GOGGLES, although googling them helps too :) I have amber lenses which worried me at first. However I've found that they really highlight the road in low light conditions. And the over the glasses kind are wide enough to not obstruct your peripheral vision.

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Permalink Reply by Haddon on January 9, 2013 at 10:25am

Since it seems relevant this is my Self Portrait (Winterized)

Gear: Bell Helmet, blink-light zip tied to helmet, nylon hat, polyester neck wrap, clear sports glasses, 3M mitten-gloves worn to crap. I have a baklava (which spell checker doesn't catch, should read Balaclava) but only wear it when it's single or low double digits in temperature. Tried lab goggles but they cut down on peripheral vision too much for me.

And your Self Portrait (Winterized) and what works for you? I mean, we all look like a bunch bank robbers right?

PS of course the Great Road Kill Patch from Chicago is in Lake Michigan.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on January 9, 2013 at 10:32am

Baklava:

Balaclava:

It's a common Bike Winter error.

Haddon said:

Since it seems relevant this is my Self Portrait (Winterized)

[snip] I have a baklava but only wear it when it's single or low double digits in temperature. [snip]

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Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on January 9, 2013 at 10:38am

So does having a gut full of baklava have a warming effect? (burning calories?) or an apparent cooling effect as blood is drawn from the extremities to aid in digestion?