Winter Cycling - Snapped a bolt this morning

After several years of winter commuting, I've had my first in-commute "break-down," although I didn't stop so it wasn't really a break-down.

I heard a funny "ping" and looked down to see my right, front fender stay sticking out. The head had snapped off the allen bolt. I'm attributing it to the cold we're having here in the middle of the mitten. Luckily, there's still enough of the bolt sticking out of the eyelet that I should be able to grip it with the vise-grips when I get home and replace it.

I feel like I've passed some sort of initiation, even though, like I said, it wasn't anything to make me stop on the side of the road.

Sounds like you made it home ok! Its a good thing to carry a few strap locks in the bag,don't know that it would have helped you, but they are nice to have,just in case!

I actually do carry zip ties and cotter pins for just such an occasion, but that bag was left in the shed absentmindedly last time I worked on the bike.

What kind of fenders and how long have you had them? Just wondering what you use.

I use Planet Bike Hardcores.

I have a pair of Planet Bike fenders. I bought them years ago and can't remember the model name. I do remember liking them so much, I bought another pair for my road bike.