Commuting - winter commuting.

how does everyone deal with biking around in the winter, what with the snow and ice and all?

You might want to read some threads in the Winter Cycling forum. Also, google 'icebike' for good info.

Suddenly those road that they recently "paved" (dumped loose gravel on top of) are now friend not foe. I rode today on normal 700x25 road tires in fresh snow and it's really not bad except in turns of course. A little loss in speed to be safe, but since on a normal road you're in relatively uniform motion there is no need to fear the ice.

Riding in the winter is FUN! Check out the icebike website - they've got great tips.
Yes, they do make studded bike tires.
Yes, you might need some mittens (the lobster ones are cool).
Yes, you'll want to tape over the holes in your helmet (you DO wear a helmet, don't ya).
Yes, everybody will look at you like you're completely out of your mind. That's a good thing - pretend to be, in fact, actually out of your mind - and then enjoy the snow. Go on all those bike paths/mountain bike trails that no one else is using, and have an absolute BLAST!
It's sooooo much fun.
Phil

I have a 10 mile commute on Washington DC streets...
Continue on my road bike?
Get studs?

The easiest thing to handle would be a MTB with Nokian studded tires. Fresh even snow is not hard to ride on if you learn how. Studded tires on a road bike depend on the conditions. Can you control the bike now on a slippery surface like snow?
The problem is frozen ruts going in the same direction as you. Even with studded tires they can toss you out in front of a car. If you can ride off road somehow I would experiment with studded tires if there is ice. In snow studs don't really mater unless there is ice under the snow. I ride in the snow and on the ice every chance I get, but I finally stopped doing it on the road if there is any chance of ruts or hidden bumps, Slush or deep snow over about 4 inches. I ride over frozen foot prints in ice off road all the time but they toss the bike all over the place, you really don't go too straight. I can ride over ice ruts on a path but I may go way sideways and possibly get tossed down.
There may be days when you should not go if you have to ride in traffic.

I have a 10 mile commute on Washington DC streets...
Continue on my road bike?
Get studs?

Studs are overkill in DC. The streets are cleared quickly when it snows, and it does not snow very much. Ice can be a problem, and there's not a whole lot you can do about it once you start sliding. If you have a choice you might want to try wider tires (28s or 35s), or a mountain bike. However, there are only icy patches (particularly bridges), not full ice coverage.

If you stay on the streets and not on the paths, just watch out for car drivers who are not familiar with winter driving. Cars that slip and slide and go too fast on icy roads are dangerous anywhere, and there are people in DC from all over the world, many who have never driven in snow before (like me, but I don't drive during episodes of frozen percipitation).

If you ride on the paths, be aware that they are not plowed. The snow melts, refreezes, and they can be treacherous in places. Just give yourself more time and ride gingerly.

It just takes a few minor modifications to ride reasonably comfortably in Winter:

- Wider tires. I have 700x38 on now, as opposed to 700x26 April-Oct.
- If you don't have them, fenders are almost essential. They really do help keep the mucky-muck off you and your bike.
- Heavy, waterproof gloves
- Rain gear (a no-brainer)
- If you don't have them, safety lights aren't essential, but a really good idea.

I've commuted six winters in the DC area without studded tires and two winters with them. II very highly recommend Nokian 160 tires. Far from being overkill, studs are a good response to the characteristic freeze-thaw cycle in this area. I commute in Arlington, and would never want to go back to riding without them.

You can do it without studded tires, but the constant eensie-eensie tightrope-walking feeling is tireing. Consequently, I put my Nokian tires on in December and keep them on until March. If you do go without studs, do not use the front brake and hold a straight course when on ice. The Icebike list is a good place to start.

It is a wonderful feeling to ride past a three mile backup of stuck cagers. When there is significant ice on the roads, cars are failrly useless because of gridlock. It is also a good feeling to either be the only one who makes it to work or the only one who is not dreading the commute home.

Paul

I have a 10 mile commute on Washington DC streets...
Continue on my road bike?
Get studs?
I think studded tires are great insurance policies for icy patches, even where the roads are mostly clear. If you have an unexpected 10 foot icy stretch in your 10 mile commute, you'll appreciate the studded tires. On the downside, they make riding much more cumbersome. I'd suggest living without them for a while, then buy them if ice becomes a problem.

Why commute during the winter? The Top 100 Reasons To Ride In The Winter (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=62294) thread is one of the best of these forums.

Winter riding is fun! Dress like you would for cross country skiing. If you don't normally wear a helmet, wear one while riding on ice/snow. Your chances of going down are much higher (even with studed tires).