Commuting - so who rode in the blizzard this morning?

I don't know how far it extends, but southern Minnesota for sure got dumped on overnight and it was still going this morning. Schools are closed and the DOT is closing down some major highways in the area.

I got up and decided that it would be fun to see if I could ride to work today. I just bought a new Brooks B17 yesterday, so I sealed it inside a plastic bag for protection and bundled up. I was just at a bike shop looking at studded tires yesterday, too. Now I kind of wish I had decided to buy a set.

skinny high pressure tires and new saddle aside, I decided to bike. The snow on my front porch and walk was high enough that opening the storm door left an arc 1" deep in the snow, and I was able to stick my bike in the snow on the sidewalk and have it remain upright without a kickstand. I love snow...

This bike is my fixed-gear running 75 gear inches, so I was working pretty hard to puch through the snow. After skidding down the driveway and finally getting my cleats to lock into the pedals (snow was packed into the cleats), I was off. I fishtailed down my street, getting a feel for the conditions. It wasn't quite what I would call slippery, but my tires kept squirming sideways out of the tire rut I was trying to ride along.

The main roads were not too bad. Where I had a shoulder available, I actually made decent time by riding through the undisturbed snow. Once I turned onto 71 where there is no shoulder, I had to try to ride in the packed down ruts left by the very few cars that had passed. Lots of fishtailing and squirming here, but I was never very close to losing control or falling.

The real joy of the commute was when I got onto Wescott where a plow had been through and lots more traffic had packed the snow down to a 1" hard layer in the middle of the lane. I made it up to a little over 20 mph for a while before I had to turn off onto a less-used road and fight the squirm and fishtail again at 8 to 10 mph.

The rest of the way into the office was on these little-used roads where I had to pay lots of attention to the road ahead through my fogged and iced glasses to pick the best track to ride in. When I rolled up to the building, I had a pretty impressive beardcicle and my jeans were pretty well soaked. As usual, all of my coworkers thought I was losing it. I've found that biking in adverse winter conditions is about the most efficient way to get the a lot of people to question my sanity simultaneously.

Any good tales from Minnesota and surrounding states this morning?

I have to say that I would have done better on the bike. I decided to drive, and wound up in a parking lot. Two of MTC's extra long busses had fishtailed, and blocked two to three lanes of traffic. I wish I had ridden. Well, not really, I slid down the last three steps of the stairs to the deck, and banged up my back, had I tried to haul a bike down those stairs...

I did think about getting my skinny skis out and skiing to work, but that would have been a little longer than driving took, but just as fun as biking.

I was on my way to work on the bus (planning on taking the bus most of the way of my 20mi commute, and just biking the last couple of miles where bus isn't an option), when my boss called and told me to work from home today.

Who am I to argue?

So I got off the bus and crossed the street to wait for the bus running back home. I had already taken almost an hour to get from Cathedral Hill to the Lake Street Bridge, so I was glad I had brought a book with me.

It seemed to take forever, watching the snow pile up on my messenger bag and peering through the whiteout, wondering everytime a pair of headlights showed up if this was finally the bus. But it finally showed up after about a half an hour (the bus is supposed to run every 7-10 minutes). Believe it or not, it got stuck at the very next stop after picking me up.

After about 15 minutes of listening to the bus spin its wheels, and the only progress that was being made was in getting more stuck, I had just made up my mind to abandon ship, when someone at the front had the bright idea of having everybody move to the back of the bus to try to shift the weight. Bright idea or not, it didn't work, so I finally worked my way through the crush of people and got off the bus.

Everybody (or at least it sounded like it) booed as I grabbed my bike off of the rack and set off.

It took me about 40 minutes to bike home. I stuck to the side streets, and it was tough to stay in the narrow tire tracks without having to dab, but occasionally I'd make it entire blocks without putting a foot down!

I had at least 4 people stop and ask if I needed a ride, and I got called everything from a "brave soul" to a "nutcase" from people out shovelling.

It was so much fun, I felt like I was stealing.

I had at least 4 people stop and ask if I needed a ride, and I got called everything from a "brave soul" to a "nutcase" from people out shovelling.

It was so much fun, I felt like I was stealing.

hehehe :)

I only got one honk this morning, and it sounded more like a "WTF are you doing you psycho bastard?!" honk than a "Get off the road you moron" honk.

When I only had about a mile to go, an SUV decelerated to pace me in the next lane over and the driver rolled down the window and informed me that "You need to get off the road; you're going to get yourself killed". I really wish I had a good comeback, but I just stared at him with my frosted-over glasses and ice-choked beard for a few seconds as he rolled up the window and attempted to speed away. I'm never witty enough at those moments. "yeah, by someone like you" or "yippee! I can't wait!" might have been amusingly suitable.

[QUOTE=MacG]hehehe :)When I only had about a mile to go, an SUV decelerated to pace me in the next lane over and the driver rolled down the window and informed me that "You need to get off the road; you're going to get yourself killed". I really wish I had a good comebackQUOTE]

I usually retort with "Have you even READ the law"? or something along that line in varying degrees of aggression.

We had 3 inches this morning. By the time I left it had melted and re-frozen on the roads so there were little 2 inch bumps of ice everywhere outside of the traffic lane. I took the lane most of the way in and had no problem with aggressive drivers. I was going faster than most of them anyway. I really enjoyed the ride in but cannot say that I felt safe at any time. Not sure I will do it again the next time it snows. Falling into the path of a 10 wheeler because I hit some weird ice bump is not a very responsible way for a family man to check out of this life.

Man, it was brutal out there. 65 degrees, first time I commuted in shorts since the fall.

Man, it was brutal out there. 65 degrees, first time I commuted in shorts since the fall.

I was in shorts both Thursday and Friday (50+ degrees - it had to be done!). I think the Cycling Gods are taking their revenge.

had a night of lightning and thunder down in SE wisconsin.

Good on you mate. I didn't ride today. :o

I stayed home and shoveled. I get paid (up to a point) whether I go in or not.

let's see if I can add some pics to this.
The high way shot was just the beginning, what you don't get to see are three articulated buses jackknifed on the road ahead.
The alley shot was leaving into the early teeth of the storm.

hehehe :)

I only got one honk this morning, and it sounded more like a "WTF are you doing you psycho bastard?!" honk than a "Get off the road you moron" honk.

When I only had about a mile to go, an SUV decelerated to pace me in the next lane over and the driver rolled down the window and informed me that "You need to get off the road; you're going to get yourself killed". I really wish I had a good comeback, but I just stared at him with my frosted-over glasses and ice-choked beard for a few seconds as he rolled up the window and attempted to speed away. I'm never witty enough at those moments. "yeah, by someone like you" or "yippee! I can't wait!" might have been amusingly suitable.

I would simply point out to the guy that he needs to get off the road because he's going to get YOU killed- then tell him you've got his license number.... just in case.

Then cal him a dumbass. That's my favorite quickie insult when I come across these idiots out on the street.

Koffee

I think I saw one of you guys on the 6:00 news, pedaling along through the snow & stalled autos! Good show

At 2:30 PM, I rode to work, mostly on side streets, around Lake Hariet, and the greenway. It was an easy, enjoyable ride. Studs made all the difference on the thick slab of ice that covered much of my route. Many of my coworkers asked if I biked, to which I smugly answered that I'm not crazy enough to drive on a day like this.

On my way home the conditions were conciderably different. I rode over washboard ice, pothole ice, rutted ice, popcorn ice, and macerated sludgy ice. What a difference a rush hour makes! I made it home without falling, but with some difficulty.

I'll say it, you guys are nuts... and good for you. My drive wasn't too bad, it was actually worse today with all of the people, that stayed home yesterday, going back to work.

I was temped to go for a ride last night after blowing out the driveway, but talked myself out of it. Maybe tonight.

Heck thats just a light flurry.
OK its a decent snow but some studded tires would have made short work of those conditions. Last year I had a half dozen days of commuting that were nearly as bad. This year the weather has be mostly uneventful. That storm is only going to leave ~1" of slush on us today. Ofcourse yesterday I was too warm in a long sleeve jersey and shorts.
Craig

Looking at the next couple days, we have 2-4 inches tonight and 2-4 tomorrow. More snow. This time I'm ready for it.

Just kill me already. My mtb needs a spring overhaul and my drop bar bikes are just sitting there teasing me. Spring can get on with it any freakin' day now. 'Course St. Paul can actually plow the streets sometime soon as well.

Yeah, to the plowing. I went for 9 miles today at lunch and it was bad - Bloomington. I fell once. Road bilke, 23mm slick tires. Should have brought the mtn bike, but man I just want to ride the rodie.

I had to stay home for two hours because the kids' schools started late, so I got going around 11, just as the snow was ending but before the plowing was done. So, I probably hit the snow at its deepest and the roads at their worst. I thought it would be a perfect chance to get some bragging points. I decided to ride to work.

I got about ten blocks and gave up. I couldn't plow through the deep snow, and when I tried to ride down the middle of the street in a car tire rut I kept slipping sideways into the deep snow. I do have a side-street route to take in bad weather, but it is not totally side streets, so I thought the danger level was a little too high for my liking, and wimped out.

On Tuesday I drove again so I could get in early and stay late, to make up the hours lost Monday because of the school delay. Today (Wednesday) I finally rode. My main route was in fair to good condition, and all roads had been plowed clear of deep snow, although the packed snow on the side streets was not much better.

Now I am trying to decide if there is some equipment that will allow me to go in a snowstorm, or if I should give up that dream. I am leaning toward saving money for a Pugsly (four-inch tires).

Back on the road again today. I hear we may be in for more snow tonight.

Let me just say that I live in Eastern North Carolina, and we did not get ANY snow this year. This is the first year of my life that I've not seen any snow at all. I'm originally from Kansas City! I'm soooo jealous of you guys! Ride on!

Jealous? From the salt slury on the roads (Over rim deep), I came to work and had to park and stand over a floor drain in the boiler room. Covered head to toe in that $h!t. Now it'll be twice in one week. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had to stay home for two hours because the kids' schools started late. I thought it would be a perfect chance to get some bragging points. I decided to ride to work.I got about ten blocks and gave up.

Now I am trying to decide if there is some equipment that will allow me to go in a snowstorm, or if I should give up that dream. I am leaning toward saving money for a Pugsly (four-inch tires).

I sent my boys to school because Mpls Public Schools doesn't post late starts and closings on their web site, as I thought they would. They hung out at a fellow 5th grader's house.

I rode on standard Nokian studded tires on day 1 without too much trouble. After that though, I was entertaining the pugsly option too, but I'd only want to use them when the snow is thick, because they must be a lot more work to make go around.

BTW, does anyone know how these do on rutted ice?

During the storm I was stranded in a hotel in Red Wing, MN. I knew that I was hooked on commuting when I looked at the horizontal "snowfall" from my seventh floor hotel room and wished I was commuting to work. Red Wing got 21 inches. This morning was a good commute in Minneapolis with the studs. Sure was icy underneath. I also loved meeting a fellow commuter on the bike path on our way home. We both said howdy to eachother with big smiles on our faces.

I am looking forward to the six or so inches we're supposed to get by tomorrow morning! Bring it on!

I didn't ride this week. After seeing the weather report and driving home Sunday night from the Metrodome, I dropped my bike off at the LBS for some work. I was having some major handling problems with my winter bike and took it in. I found out it was the spokes on rear wheel. It's a fixed gear with studded tires and out of 36 spokes, I would say 33 were very loose. The guy at the shop was helpful, but they must be very busy because it won't be done until the 24th. They are going to retension, true, and (blue) locktite all the spoke nipples. I wanted to believe that they loosened up because my legs are so strong, but in truth--it's just a crappy wheel.LOL
I can't wait to get back out there, so I might just buy a back up wheel. Driving sucks!
MN Dan

This is an easy day for me. I have only a couple miles to ride, the snow doesn't seem that bad, just the ice and hard pack underneath. They did an awful job clearing snow this winter.

I rode again this morning, and it was a lot like Monday morning (see the first post of the thread) but the roads were quite a bit better. I didn't have to get off and walk anywhere, but I had a few close calls with my front wheel skimming the edge of a tire rut. Fortunately, these skinny tires make just as good of rudders as wheels, so when I would lose traction up front, just feathering the wheel towards where I wanted it to go was usually enough to steer it back underneath me.

It's so nice out that I'll be riding to the bagel place for lunch today as well. Eagan is full of rich people driving expensive SUVs that don't have a clue about bikes, so riding through town centre can be interesting. I'm interested to see if the weather has any effect on drivers' moods or behaviors.

BTW, does anyone know how these do on rutted ice?

My understanding is they do pretty well. The tires are so fat you don't get caught up in others' ruts. Though if the ruts are from cars, you might have a problem.

I've got the Nokian 296's. About the most aggressive winter tire on the market. My ride home (about 90 mins after the snow started) last night was kinda dicey. The ice ruts were covered and I almost went over several times. The second row of studs caught me just in time. I don't think anything except tracked vehicles handle that well. The studs really shine on the glazed hardpack. In greasy snow they don't do much more than regular knobbies for handling.