First time winter cycler here... I commute over the Manhattan bridge daily, just wanted to know how it rides during the winter and any precautions I need to be aware of. I have lights, reflective gear... am very wary entering & exiting since both can be dicey (I use North side lane), especially at night. Is it usually plowed or salted after snow storms? Ice? Is it worth considering studded tires? Any info appreciated.

Should be fine. I'm a regular Brooklyn Bridger, and it's fine. But I'd don't ride in the really bad conditions. No need for studded tires. Knobby maybe.

59th Street Bridge Report - 12/14

Morning, around 8:40 or so. Icy/snowy layer and an icy stream or two flowing. A few people were riding their bikes, but just as many were walking their bikes across the bridge. I run 700x35s (not knobby) and have fenders on my fred-mo-bike. It was a slow ride up and down, but I made it. I took the rushing ice river route for a bit, but massive mud flaps would have helped more, but I didn't get too wet.

I kept the bike under control, mostly. I would have walked the bike if it wasn't an off-street MUP. I wouldn't recommend riding it, maybe large knobbies would have helped out more.

You can't rely on the city to clean the off-street paths. Sometimes someone seems to clear the paths...

The streets were fine at least.

Any other bridge reports?

Here's one ;) (http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/2007/12/indignity-of-commuting-by-bicycle.html)

http://bp1.blogger.com/_wb8bAl1P-N0/R2K2R2eO_MI/AAAAAAAABcU/DRpO7kQ8Wtk/s400/slushy+bridge.JPG
(the Brooklyn Bridge this morning)

As reader, insightful commenter, and pun enthusiast Leroy pointed out in the comments on the last post, if you rode over the Brooklyn Bridge this morning, chances are you paid for your poor choice by falling down at some point--especially if you tend follow the roadie's guide to negotiating snow and ice, which is as follows:

1) Panic!

2) Stiffen your entire body

3) If your wheels should start to slip, apply your brakes forcefully

4) Fall and break your collarbone (Roadie collarbones break like Bontrager steerers at Paris-Roubaix. Every time a roade fractures his clavicle triathlete hem lines get a little higher. Why do you think they show so much skin?)

Now I'm not saying I fell today, and I'm not saying I didn't. But I will say that falling during a commute is much worse than falling in a race--not because it's any more severe, but because there are lots of people around. A fall during a race is in context while a fall in the city is just embarrassing. If you do happen to fall, here are some ways to pull it off:

--Stay down. Make it look as though, while you certainly didn't mean to wind up on the pavement, you're kind of happy you did. Go into your bag, make a few phone calls, maybe eat something. Or else just fold your hands behind your head, relax, and gaze wistfully at the sky. People respect people who take life as it comes.

--Make it count. Once you realize you're going down, maximize the shock value. Send the bike sliding for a few yards. If you can, take a few other riders with you. Then get up and finish your bike off like Pete Townshend laying waste to his guitar at the end of a concert. Maybe even take out a car windshield too. Clumbsiness is embarrassing--carnage is awesome.

--Be hostile. People might ask if you're OK, but they're really just gloating. You know what's good for wiping the smugness off some self-satisfied good samaritan's face? A snowball.

--Jump right up and shout incredulously. "Holy crap! Did you see that?!?"

--Accost and blame a diminutive, non-English speaking tourist.

--Breakdance!

Here's what not to do:

--Try to pretend you're not hurt when you are. I've seen this one before. That's when someone has an awkward fall, is obviously injured, but is to embarrassed to acknowledge it so refuses help and just rides off in obvious agony. Not only is that unwise, but it just doesn't look good. It's kind of like Pee Wee Herman leaving the biker bar (http://youtube.com/watch?v=nzVAx1n1QFw). Falling over because you couldn't get out of your pedals may look stupid, but getting back on too soon, riding the wrong way down a one-way street, and getting run over by a Fresh Direct truck looks really, really stupid.

--Say "I meant to do that." Again, it was funny in "Pee Wee's Big Adventure," but it's lame in real life.

--Bang your seat back into place with your palm. Why do people do that? It's not a race--take two seconds, use an allen key, and do it properly.

--Attempt to commiserate with passers-by over equipment damage. "Look! See that? The brake lever's all bent now!" Nobody cares.

--Cry

So remember, it's getting messy out there. If you can't be careful, at least be dignified. And stay off the Brooklyn Bridge after bad weather.

Now I regret not taking a picture of the bridge path this morning.

No, I take that back. I'm kinda glad I didn't stop and try to take a picture, I would have ended up flat on my a--.

Hehe... yes let's make this a "blurred photos taken in mid-crash bridge weather report" thread.

I like bikesnob's attitude... combat schadenfreuden with wide-world-of-sports agony-of-defeat wipeouts.

My favorite line:

Make it count. Once you realize you're going down, maximize the shock value. Send the bike sliding for a few yards. If you can, take a few other riders with you. Then get up and finish your bike off like Pete Townshend laying waste to his guitar at the end of a concert. Maybe even take out a car windshield too. Clumbsiness is embarrassing--carnage is awesome.

It's true... if you are gonna eat pavement... score some style points out of it.

Meh... never, until today, did I realize just how slippery that wood on the Brooklyn Bridge is when wet. Coming around the Manhattan side tower, swerved VERY slightly around a pedestrian standing in the dark in the bike lane out of view and the bike just slid right out from under me. Felt like one usually does when skiing and the ski just goes down the path; in this case, into a walking pedestrian in the other lane with myself following, just sliding on down on my right side.

No damage, not even ripped pants, which says a lot about just how slippery the stuff is. I must've slid like 25 feet.

Manhattan bridge was fairly sketchy today... yesterday's sleet left half the bike path with mixed patches of ice... my Big Apple tires no like. Had to dodge and weave clear patches but I don't book so wasn't too bad. Are knobbies of any use on ice? A friend has a cheap pair of Conti Town & Country tires, but dunno if those are too slick also.

Are knobbies of any use on ice? A friend has a cheap pair of Conti Town & Country tires, but dunno if those are too slick also.

Nothings too good on ice. Letting a lot of air out of the tires can give a bit more traction but sometimes without studs you're in for a few falls.

59th Street Bridge 12/17/07, 8:40ish.

Looks like someone actually plowed the MUP! As always though, can't rely on it to be cleared.

Large spot of black ice on the Queens side just at the bottom. Smooth as can be.

Saw it and decided not to chance it. Hopped off the bike so I could walk the bike.

Of course, I may have had better luck on 2 wheels, 'cause my two feet failed me on the ice and I went down like a toddler in a snowsuit. Priceless. Wish I had a picture... :)

Nothings too good on ice. Letting a lot of air out of the tires can give a bit more traction

Yeah I keep the Schwalbes on 30 PSI, a lil more during the winter but their already very low for maximum shock absorption. Like riding a caddie to work. I think the low pressure is what saved me a few times today when I was drifting on a few patchs but no spill. Thanks for the tip... I guess I'll hold off until I headbutt a railing, then I'll get the studs.

I went down like a toddler in a snowsuit.

Hehe. Wheeeeee!

How are the bridges? Took a quick ride yesterday, roads seem pretty clear but may be traveling a little later.

Any info appreciated.
fenders, I wish I had fenders


My favorite line:

--Make it count. Once you realize you're going down, maximize the shock value. Send the bike sliding for a few yards. If you can, take a few other riders with you. Then get up and finish your bike off like Pete Townshend laying waste to his guitar at the end of a concert. Maybe even take out a car windshield too. Clumbsiness is embarrassing--carnage is awesome.
Yeah, kind of lie there with the pedals still attached and start spinning around and around. Get someone to video the carnage