Commuting - I'm starting to weaken

I have this idea of moving across country to Washington State where a friend has moved, and been telling me I'd love it out there. Well, I'm not so sure I want to leave at the moment, I'm starting to recall commuting in the snow and ice and having a blast doing it. I'm weakening. Last year I said I didn't want to do this again, now I'm thinking about it, and actually warming to the idea.
Maybe next year.

commuting in the snow and ice and having a blast doing it....actually warming to the idea.
Maybe next year.

You used "snow and ice" and "warming" in the same thread. Good job!

Nice to see someone who enjoys commuting in the snow and ice. How much of that will you have to deal with in Washington? It sounds like a wonderful place to bike, no matter what.

What sort of preparation / equipment would be required to commute in snow and ice?

I was born and raised in the PNW (Pacific Northwest), north of Seattle. The side of the state east of the Cascade mountains is very arrid desert. Similar to the Southwest. summers are warm, sometimes hot, very dry. Winters can be very cold -20F wind and snow. West of the Cascades it is green and lush. More rain and a milder climate. Freezing temps in the winter, sometimes briefly aroud zero if an arctic storm passes, but generally mild. Mid 50's to 80's in the summer, fair amount of rain. Depending where you live the rain will run around 40" per year (Seattle/Bellingham area) to as high as 100" (Olympic rain forest). Some people like it, personally I got tired of it. I'd rather live in NM. I sincerely hope you like it there. Lot's of biking opportunites and somewhat bicycle friendly. Good MTB trail possibilites as well.

'bent Brian

"Nice to see someone who enjoys commuting in the snow and ice. How much of that will you have to deal with in Washington? It sounds like a wonderful place to bike, no matter what."

Here's what I don't like about the Seattle area for biking:

lots of rain (equals you-better-have-good-fenders) and lots of hills.

Oh, and hills and wet rims make for scary braking.

I have this idea of moving across country to Washington State where a friend has moved, and been telling me I'd love it out there. Well, I'm not so sure I want to leave at the moment, I'm starting to recall commuting in the snow and ice and having a blast doing it. I'm weakening. Last year I said I didn't want to do this again, now I'm thinking about it, and actually warming to the idea.
Maybe next year.

C'mon - admit it - you'd miss the look of dumbfounded awe on those driver's faces when it's 40 below and blizzarding and they can bearly survive in their car with the heater! Or getting to work on time when everyone else is a half hour late from the conditions, then telling everyone - "yeah, I just rode, no problems with traffic..." and having them not believe you.

I've seen you posting on the winter board too - you can't tell me you don't love the challenge and satisfaction of it.

It would be sad to lose one of the winter riders out here, although it does seem that we have more every year...