BF Alberta clipper/Nor-Easter Challenge:
 

From Milwaukee to New York City mother nature has issued a challenge, are you up for it?

I was out last night and I will ride my bike again today, how about you?

It just started here. Supposed to mix with freezing rain & total about 10". I can finally try out those studded tires. Can't wait! :D

Not a chance. I am a wimp for winter sports. That and by the time I get off work it is pitch black, good for sleeping but not good for much else when you can't see the hand in front of your face haha

Being in Toronto, I am altogether impressed, appalled and mystified when I witness intrepid cyclists facing 15cm of snow, high winds and treacherous road conditions like we were treated to yesterday. Most of the time I wonder if it's worth the risk, however, and what it accomplishes. The chance of serious injury is magnified a thousand fold in such weather conditions with motorists having reduced visibility, decreased ability to avoid a cyclist should the cyclist wipe-out in front of them and having a lot less road to work with for both vehicles, never mind that the road surface itself is conspiring to remove the cyclist from the two precarious wheels under him in the first place. Most motorists, even here with about 250,000 year-round cyclists, don't expect to encounter a cyclist during a snow-storm. And, what was the benefit for the cyclist? Public transportation could have got them where-ever they were going in about the same time, I imagine, and certainly safer, dryer and warmer. I don't mean to rain on anyone's parade (or snow on it, as the case may be), but it strikes me as being irresponsible to put yourself and others at such an unnecessary risk. What could be hurt by waiting a day or two for the roads to be cleaned up and then resume riding?

Why do anything that puts yourself at any kind of risk? Because it's a challenge. Because it makes life more intereting to go out and actually have fun in conditions that the other 99% of the public dread. I do agree that one has to evaluate the risk of cycling in any particular condition, but winter cycling CAN be done responsibly. Can cycling be dangerous? I'm sure it is more dangerous than sitting at home on the couch, but I do it anyway.

I don't know how you guys plan to ride your bikes in 20 inches of snow, but have some fun for me and post some pics! :beer:

Yeah, I'll ride today. With my bike firmly attached to the trainer, parked in front of the TV.

Ride outside? Hell no! There's 50 mph winds - sustained - here with drifts 4-6' high! I defy anyone to ride a bike in this outside! But if you try, best of luck!!

Hahaha I never thought of it that way. When I went to TO and saw these guys pedalling around. Thought they were nuts. Never considered their winter riding might be on par with my dh riding for their own risk factor. Ironically, I will huck myself off stuff, but would never consider riding on the road in TO in the winter (then again, I find road riding far scarier that riding down the side of a mountain, I hate roads)

Well if the weather keeps up here, I may be trail riding this week. Not snow in weeks, almost 0degree c and tonnes of rain. Whistler village is almost clear to the point of early may. Sickening.

Seriously. I bet, statistically, more people are injured riding on the road, in any weather, than are injured free riding or mountain biking.

Same here in Spokane. If I were to go skiing, it would be on dirt :eek: ....the good news is the mtn bike trails are snow free!

I have a paved multi-purpose path running down the middle of the city (lots of traffic, shops, etc) so there is very little risk other than wimping out and going home. But yes, going out on the road or country in this weather is stupid