Popped my snow cherry!
#1
Popped my snow cherry!
Yes it snows it Texas. Rode into work in a sideways rain this morning, gave me a chance to try out my new Bellwether Aqua-no rain jacket. Awesome jacket btw.
Rain tuned into snow at around noon or so. Blowing, drifting snow!
By 7:30 p.m. I was out the door with some trepidation as the snow was sticking to the roadways and turning into slush. After turning down at least half a dozen offers to take me home from concerned co-workers and several of my patients family members, I was on my way.
I stopped to air down my tires, as the 700x25's were a little squirmy in the mushy stuff. Oops too much air out, I was riding on the back rim so I stopped again and gave the rear a shot of co2.
Cars were only moving at about 20-25 mph. I was working to keep my speed down, had a tail wind of 30-40 mph until I could get on the side streets. Once out of the wind the ride was, well it was magical!
I'm a little envious of you guys who get to do this on a regular basis. I had a blast, wouldn't have missed this for the world. What a great Christmas present!! Yesterday I was riding in 75 degree temps and today, SNOW!!
Merry Christmas guys and gals!
Rain tuned into snow at around noon or so. Blowing, drifting snow!
By 7:30 p.m. I was out the door with some trepidation as the snow was sticking to the roadways and turning into slush. After turning down at least half a dozen offers to take me home from concerned co-workers and several of my patients family members, I was on my way.
I stopped to air down my tires, as the 700x25's were a little squirmy in the mushy stuff. Oops too much air out, I was riding on the back rim so I stopped again and gave the rear a shot of co2.
Cars were only moving at about 20-25 mph. I was working to keep my speed down, had a tail wind of 30-40 mph until I could get on the side streets. Once out of the wind the ride was, well it was magical!
I'm a little envious of you guys who get to do this on a regular basis. I had a blast, wouldn't have missed this for the world. What a great Christmas present!! Yesterday I was riding in 75 degree temps and today, SNOW!!

Merry Christmas guys and gals!
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
From: Syracuse, NY
Bikes: 1978 Raleigh Team Record, 1979 Motobecane Mirage, 1985 Gitane Professional
I'm totally with you on the awesome feeling you get biking through the snow, I did my first snow commute yesterday. The only way I think describes it quite right is that it's a bit like snow shoeing, you look goofy and it's a bit awkward at first, but once you get the hang of it it's hard to beat for a winter activity.
#5
Dunno 'bout that...I commute in 100+ degree temps for six to seven months out of the year and I still love it. But your point is taken. At least I don't have the post commute clean up to deal with.
#6
I think I'd trade you if I could, freaksix. My blood is too thin for the kind of cold we have here, and this is nothing compared to what irclean and the other good folks from Canada here have to deal with...
#7
Seņior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 13,748
Likes: 10
From: Michigan
Bikes: Windsor Fens, Giant Seek 0 (2014, Alfine 8 + discs)
Wait until you have about 12 inches of snow, then it gets warm and slushes up. The shoulders don't get plowed so there's 3 inches of slush there. Then a few random cars drift in and out of the slush, making random ruts going in and out of the shoulder at random angles. Then it freezes hard overnight. The 2 lane road is totally clear and dry and traffic is moving 60 MPH, and you have to decide whether to take the lane in a 60 MPH environment, or ride on the shoulders where there are 3" rock hard ruts that at least will make riding tortuous, and at worst might blow a tire or grab your tire and throw you into traffic.
__________________
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
Work: the 8 hours that separates bike rides.
#8
Wait until you have about 12 inches of snow, then it gets warm and slushes up. The shoulders don't get plowed so there's 3 inches of slush there. Then a few random cars drift in and out of the slush, making random ruts going in and out of the shoulder at random angles. Then it freezes hard overnight. The 2 lane road is totally clear and dry and traffic is moving 60 MPH, and you have to decide whether to take the lane in a 60 MPH environment, or ride on the shoulders where there are 3" rock hard ruts that at least will make riding tortuous, and at worst might blow a tire or grab your tire and throw you into traffic.






