DC early morning commuters!
 

I slid my tires out and butt-planted on the Mt. Vernon trail this morning going toward 14th street bridge on one of those wooden little bridge things with the blue paint. They are slicker than snot this morning - just a quick warning to you :)

Hope you're ok.

Yeah, I picked my way all the way in the W&OD this am. Every time I started feeling froggy like I could get some speed kept getting squirrely on ice patches. The bridges in Falls Church were a mess.

I pick up the MVT at 4 Mile Run but have often wondered about what those wooden bridges must be like and how easily they must freeze over and/or get slippery in these winter months. Guess now I know... :-\

Take it you're OK? Hope so anyway.

Trail seemed OK-enough this morning out west in the Sterling/Herndon/Reston area, but I am using 700x35mm studded tires and was quite glad to have them. Bridges/overpasses (Herndon Pkwy x2, Center St, FFx Pkwy, Town Center Pkwy) were "OK" but took it easy. A coworker rode in from Ashburn had some skittishness (25mm slicks), especially on anything painted. Saw one rider go down when he exited trail on a side street in Herndon and turned a bit tighter than he should have. Stopped, he said he was OK. The "S Curve of Death" on Custis trail in Arlington must've been really nasty this morning. Glad I don't go that far.

We'll probably get a few days like this over the winter. Ride safe everyone!

Yep. I put my foot down and bent the hell out of a water bottle cage (the one under the downtube on touring bike) but nothing other than that. My first thought was "oh crap, I hope I didn't smash my big ring".

I think I'll just dismount and walk them on really cold mornings from now on ;)

I always thought the trick on the wooden bridges was just to go slow and in a straight line, I've never had a problem doing that but then again I'm running 1.75 tires. The wind was brutal tonight.

Man - you're not kiddin'! I wasn't expecting it either.

Do any of you use studded tires during the winter?

First commute in over 2 years tomorrow
 

Hey all,

I'm all set up to put in my first commute tomorrow in over 2 years. My run is from Lorton to Kingstowne-Alexandria.

I've got my batteries charging. Got my showering stuff up at the office. Just lubed my chain, loaded my pannier... This is gonna be great!

Keep an eye out for me. :thumb:

Awesome and congrats - let us know how it went. You picked a cold morning to start. I had to pull out my EWR merino wool jersey this moring.

I don't. I just fall down :)

You have super powers. you don't need studded tires.. Just fly away with your bike.

I usually just use the "stay straight and no sudden movements" technique for wooden bridges (and patches of snow/ice) but I heard my wife say something behind me and when I turned I went down. I don't use studded tires, just vittoria 37mm ones. I'd like to go up to 40mm soon....

I actually like tires with some type of tread pattern, even a subtle one. I have read Sheldon's and other sites about this, but just can't agree with them. Every time I've used a smooth tire I bite it more around wet corners, leaves, and bridges.