Commuting - snowy commute home

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gonesh9
12-19-05, 02:30 PM
Sunday I had to come in to work to wrap up a few things. Bitterly cold and windy on the way in, but blue skies all around. Worked a few hours then stepped back outside the building to snow falling, the roads covered. Hell yeah! I took off pedaling around downtown, nice to see very few cars out. The fixed Surly cross bike with 35 wide tires was perfect. Skidding was so easy, and it was great to see the occasional other rider out smiling while the Christmas shoppers watched us with a very confused, concerned look.

The Springwater path between downtown and my house is a straight, flat, bike/ped path. What a fun ride back on it, leaving a solitary track in the snow the hole way home.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/gonesh9/wonderings/path1.jpg

The track left a sprititual feeling in me, like an eternal ray of hope.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/gonesh9/wonderings/path2.jpg

Walkafire
12-19-05, 02:31 PM
Gotta luv being the FIRST track in the snow 'eh
peregrine
12-19-05, 02:56 PM
Yeah, it was crazy yestreday! Clear skies, then snow, then ice! now slush :(
I didn't ride but I went for a walk
:D

There's no procrastinating anymore though, I'm buying new tires. Are yours studded or just knobbies?

oboeguy
12-19-05, 03:05 PM
What a beautiful thing to behold. :)
Roody
12-19-05, 04:49 PM
Is that much snow unusual in Portland?
gonesh9
12-19-05, 04:57 PM
Are yours studded or just knobbies?

Just knobbies, but they tracked really well in the snow and today's slush.



Is that much snow unusual in Portland?

Not too unusual, we might get a day or two a year with enough snow to stick... but it's always a big deal when it does.
Roody
12-19-05, 06:09 PM
Not too unusual, we might get a day or two a year with enough snow to stick... but it's always a big deal when it does.
We get a day or two like that. . . every day or two!
:)
2manybikes
12-19-05, 06:21 PM
Thanks for the nice photos, sounds like a great ride. First tracks in fresh powder is always great!
barleyrocket
12-20-05, 08:11 AM
Glad to hear about the ride Gonesh. I started running before it started. I was maybe 10 minutes into the run when the pellets started then by the time I got home it was all white. Nice run all in all. Sorry you had to work over the weekend.
Eggplant Jeff
12-20-05, 09:50 AM
:D Gotta love that feeling.

Unfortunately in my case it meant I was installing ruts that I later cursed at as they made it hard to ride after the first couple days.

I think there is one other bicyclist out there insane enough to take the same cut through the park that I do. While there are lots of footprints, I've only noticed about one other track per day that isn't mine.

At least the snow is finally melting/refreezing/packing down into ice. Studs are good :). And ice doesn't get ruts the way packed snow does.