Originally Posted by Jim from Boston (Post 17524971)

I probably overstated “antagonism”; maybe annoyance would be more accurate. When riding under such “treacherous” circumstances, I have encountered occasional gratuitous hostility on the road even though there is so little traffic, I‘m not an obstruction. My wife did recently chide me because I might obstruct snowplows (I anticipate them in my rearview mirror, and pull off the road for them). I have even pushed cars stuck on slippery surfaces.

The annoyance stems IMO from the general driver frustration: obstruction by bikes, and in particular fear of hitting cyclists, including with the added hazard of skidding. At work, I have encountered rare overt hostility based on the fear of hitting a cyclist, with IMO a generous concern for my welfare, by otherwise friendly people, especially since I was already hit once on a peaceful road in June.

Finally, while your friend works in a cycle shop, I work in a hospital, where the injured cyclist would be taken. Nonetheless, I enjoy my image as a cyclist, as I described in this thread ”If you are tough about cycling in bad weather, are you a tough person in general?”

Originally Posted by Nickel (Post 17529477)

Does anyone have any suggestions for the 'best' option of riding from Waltham into Cambridge, specifically in the AM? PM works great for rtes 16->20 but not so pleasant in the morning. I was thinking of trying 60-> Concord Ave? 60 is not great without snow so I'm not sold on it. What about cutting through Warrendale to Belmont St?

Originally Posted by rholland1951 (Post 17524629)

So, what do you think the antagonism is about?

Originally Posted by Daniel4 (Post 17452697)

… Yes we all have our justifications and logic for biking in the winter just as motorists and pedestrians have their justifications to continue to think what we do is crazy.

If anybody has ever been involved in discussions about religion, politics or smoking, you know that people don't change their minds listening to facts and logic from someone else. People change their minds on their own.

So having said that, here's my justification.

… You don't go hiking in the Arctic in speedos and people have survived there by dressing properly.

As for safety due to other motorists, I don't find the risk it much worse that at any other time with drunk drivers, texters and other road hazards….

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston (Post 17530355)

Rod, I really don’t think envy is the reason for cager’s “annoyance” with my winter cycling, but their own frustration with winter driving, fear of hitting a cyclist, and concern for my welfare. The car culture is strong out in the outer suburbs, and at least people don't pity me.

FYA, when I have seriously tried to disccuss winter cycling with a skeptic, this post describes my usual strategy:



Another little-used argument I once read on BF, is that cagers look at cycling from the point of view of cagers…cyclists as frail, exposed, slow and vulnerable. I don’t feel that way myself, but my major safety tactic is just stay away from them as much as possible since we are so nimble

Originally Posted by jimmuller (Post 17530395)

All food for thought. I notice two frequent features of drivers' behavior.

1. They are frequently polite or considerate. I try to acknowledge it in response.

2. They are sometimes overly polite! For example, I'll be waiting for traffic to clear so I can make a left turn, and one of the drivers with the right of way will stop and wave me across. That's great for me but inconsiderate of the drivers following. I wish I could tell them " My bicycle is not a toy. In the eyes of the law it is a vehicle, and I am subject to the same traffic laws as you. In any case, it is easier and better environmentally for me to wait and then accelerate my 25lb bike than for you and everyone behind you to stop and then re-accelerate 3500lb cars. Just go. I'll be fine, thank you." I wonder what the following drivers think.

Originally Posted by jimmuller (Post 17529560)

Warrendale is a quite but smallish residential neighborhood. All the roads through there are nice, but they take you less than a mile. I know because I live in Warrendale. Belmont St could be busy but not like Main St. I've biked parts of it but never up the hill towards Oakley Country Club. I have no idea what the condition of the snow banks are though.

Originally Posted by Nickel (Post 17535126)

The traffic congestion is unreal to me. I guess it is a shock after sticking to the Charles River path all the time and missing out on the 'adventure'.

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston (Post 17543334)

Does anyone have any replies to my Michigan paisan "Moving to Boston - Advice?" ?

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston (Post 17543334)

Does anyone have any replies to my Michigan paisan "Moving to Boston - Advice?" ?

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston (Post 17540026)

Right now Boston is in the midst of a two-day snowfall, adding another one to two to feet to our recent two-three feet last week, and below freezing temperatures so it just piles up. I’ve encountered outright hostility when people ask the usually good-natured question, “You didn’t ride your bike today, did you?.” (I didn't.)

So forgive me if I’m obsessively posting about nice-weather riding. :twitchy:

Accumulation as of 4 PM and 6PM 2/9/15, since Tuesday 2/3:

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=433589http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=433590

The snow doesn't get dirty on the road, because it is coninuously covered by new snow, and nobody is driving. Light snow is predicted until 4 AM tomorrow, and more snow predicted for Thursday. The subways and Commuter Rail are closed until probably Wednesday, 2/11.

Originally Posted by buzzman (Post 17551872)

Just checking in with the Boston crowd. I'm still managing to get around by bike these days but its a challenge.

The grid lock downtown makes it really tough.

People who don't wipe off their windows make it tough.

The potholes are getting really intense. Watch out as they are hidden by puddles!

I love my STUDDED TIRES!

Be safe out there and have fun!

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston (Post 17540026)

… I’ve encountered outright hostility when people ask the usually good-natured question, “You didn’t ride your bike today, did you?.” (I didn't.)

Originally Posted by buzzman (Post 8128373)

…I have been riding a bike for transportation purposes in New England winters for almost 40 years now. A few things I've observed during that time:

#1) A bicycle can be an excellent means of transportation in the winter, even in relatively extreme conditions if the cyclist is well prepared and aware of the limitations and liabilities of winter riding…

#3) The number of people who will think you are "crazy" for riding to work mid-winter will be much larger than those that roll their eyes when you told them you just rode 100 miles to the company picnic mid-summer. Many of those people will also be "bicyclists" themselves. What this means is that you will have few allies and very few people who understand why you insist on riding a bike in the winter. It is an uphill battle and one that may not be worth engaging in with most people.

#4) In really bad conditions the only motorized vehicles on the road will be snowplows, emergency vehicles and people in cars who are too stupid to stay home. That means that the bicyclist must be prepared to take evasive maneuvers and ride with extreme caution when in the proximity of any motorized vehicle during the winter.

#5 ) Snowplow drivers are super dangerous. Don't mess with them. They have often been driving the plow in horrible conditions without sleep for 24-48 hours and are soused in coffee and possibly worse and they may not be able to discern whether your reflectorized vest and blinkie is an alien spacecraft landing or the beginning of a migraine headache but the last thing they'll expect it to be is a bicyclist.

#6) Take the lane and be visible. Drivers often hop into their car after having scraped a small 4" diameter circle in the ice on their windshield and soon the interior of their car windows are fogged to such a degree to turn all drivers into Mr. Magoo. But be prepared to give way when necessary or to take alternatives that will not put you in the way of too many cars. A plowed MUP can be a healthy alternative to the road.

#7) Mid-winter, IMO, is not the time to politicize your bike riding…See point #2- YOU WILL HAVE FEW ALLIES! This is a fact of life, a reality. Most people think you're nuts to be out in that weather- even other cyclists. … Don't expect a smooth ride. Sorry but no one really feels they owe that to those of us who bike ride in these conditions.

#8) Outfit your bike for winter riding. … If you're a messenger and only riding downtown on well traveled streets you might be able to get by but if you're commuting 10 miles out of the city you'll encounter roads and conditions that will be challenging to say the least. Have a bike just for winter riding or modify the bike you have. Having a poorly equipped bike in the winter is the equivalent to the jerk in the car driving on bald tires, old windshield wipers and no defroster.

#9) The reality is that people driving their cars are far more dangerous to both themselves and others on the road than a cyclist is in winter conditions. Someone just slid off the road the other day, across the bike path and into the Charles River in their car and died. My sense is that some people have no business being in cars in those conditions bikes actually do fine.

#10) Winter cyclists are definitely marching to the beat of a different drummer.;)

Originally Posted by buzzman (Post 17551942)

Still doing my daily commute from Newton into downtown Boston. No more bike path, too bad because I could avoid cars entirely if the path were plowed consistently. Instead it's a streets route as I make my way along all the stopped cars virtually the whole way. I don't know how the drivers can stand it. They are travelling at roughly walking speed for miles.

Originally Posted by jimmuller (Post 17552142)

I confess I have not been riding except indoors. My route is still dominated by SNOW and ICE. I have no studded tires and anyway there isn't room to ride. Bummer. I am so ready to see pavement again!

I have seen a few intrepid souls biking though.

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston (Post 16429976)

I was listening to Howie Carr this evening, and on bad weather days he does a desperate, on-site weatherman, Biff Biffington, depicting apocalyptic conditions with howling wind sound effects (à la Shelby Scott, if you remember her). Today he was broadcasting “from Cambridge” describing cyclists running red lights, going down, and being caught by polar bears. :eek:

Originally Posted by buzzman (Post 17551872)

I love my STUDDED TIRES!

Originally Posted by Roody (Post 17555055)

It seems like many parts of the world are having another hard winter. …How are you doing this winter? Any stories to share? Problems? Good experiences

Originally Posted by noglider (Post 17555724)

I've had difficulty getting started from a dead stop in snow. I doubt better tires would help, but maybe they would. Does my seat need to be lower? Do I need upright handlebars? I either can't pedal hard enough to overcome inertia or my rear tire slips and I don't move forward….Once I'm going, I seem to handle it fine. I sometimes fishtail and go whooooah, but I stay upright. I haven't fallen yet, so I guess that means I'm not going fast enough.