Originally Posted by
Chalupa102
Where is the best place to ride on the road? Do you guys find that you stay more towards the right or do you take the lane more often when there's snow on the roads? Or do you guys just ride the same place as you would if the roads were clear?
I generally don't change. When conditions are very bad, I'll take the lane more often.
Originally Posted by
Chalupa102
Snow plows/sanders: What do you do when you see one coming up behind you, especially while on side/narrow roads (figuring at the time they have their plow down clearing the roads)?
I get out of the way as quickly and safely as possible. (This can also mean crossing to the other side to wait.) I'd much rather ride in the freshly plowed path behind them than try to prove some sort of VC point by staying ahead of them.
Originally Posted by
Chalupa102
Other road users: Are vehicles losing control typically problems due to slippery conditions that you have to watch out for? Do vehicles give you more or less room during the winter, or is it about the same as now?
Generally, I get a lot more room in the winter. I'm not sure if it's because they think the crazy will rub off, or if the "balance of fear" tips in our favor (drivers becoming afraid of us falling in front of them). YMMV.
Originally Posted by
Chalupa102
How much more time do you give yourself to get to destinations? Right now, my ride to campus takes 1:15 on a good day.
My fair-weather average commuting speed is 16-17 mph for the whole ride, depending on route and traffic. I lose 2-3 mph off my average just putting the snow tires on the bike. In very bad conditions, I drop to the single-digits. In extremely bad conditions I'm barely moving along.
Originally Posted by
Chalupa102
If anyone has any other tips that might help me out, please let me know. I plan to ride 3x a week to college (38 mile RT) and do shorts trips to the store, church, and things like that as well.
Do not over-dress, especially on long rides like those you plan. Sweating through your clothes will cause hypothermia. I aim for slightly under-dressed at all times. It's easy then to warm up by pedaling harder. Once your clothes are soaked, you can't warm up until you're inside and out of the soggy clothes--which could be an hour or more away on the long rides you describe.
This is also why several light layers are recommended. You can strip off a layer or two if you find you've accidentally over-dressed. Of course, you'll want to do this as early as possible.