does anyone have any tricks or tips to cycling in the snow, charleston just got like 7 inches.

goggles, mittens, and boots. the worst riding in snow, i've found, is in the slushy, icy, treads left behind by auto traffic. sticking to the new snow generally lends more predictable ride results, but beware of ice underneath, if you don't have studded tires. also, check the winter cycling forum for other tips and tricks---they know snow!

I ride in the tire tracks where there is less slush and slop if the streets haven't been cleared yet. Heed the warning about ice. If the roads were all clean and dry and the snow just came down in one big dump it's unlikely there will be ice underneath, but be careful and take your turns slower than riding dry.

We've had an unusually dry winter here so I haven't had much snow riding this winter.

Is fun! I love it!

wide tires, lower air pressure can help - and a lot of practice.

Some one just posted the exact same question in the Winter Cycling forum: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...Riding-in-Snow. That forum is a great source of info for all your winter cycling needs. It's helped me to get through this winter without missing a beat (so far, knock on wood.)

EVen if you have studded tires, snow that deep is a drag. When the sand and salt mix the first day or so, and side streets are not cleared, the snow obtains a sort of sticky, damp cornstarch quality that just stops a bike in its tracks.

The sidewalks are often a better deal - tho here in Madison, the bike paths are cleared and much better riding.

Plan B: The Bus

Leave earlier or you will be late. Even 2 inches of snow will drastically slow your commute.

Also don't wear too much... You'll be doing a lot more work than your normal commute and will overheat. Not sure about the goggles unless it is currently snowing, although I have wanted sunglasses after a snowfall because of the sun coming off the snow.

I usually have more than one route I can take. On days with snow covering the ground the main roads are usually the best for me as they get plowed and salted more often. I also ride in tire tracks and traffic isn't as heavy as it normally is. Since my area is pretty good about snow removal I would only need to take that route once or twice. For areas that are not used to snow you may have to experiment.

I use Schwalbe studded tires.
https://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires/road_tires/spikes

Ride where the cars haven't if possible...yes sidewalks are acceptable options in those conditions. Especially if you don't have studded tires. And like has been mentioned, deep snow can be a bear even with studs. Car ruts can be very squirrely with or without studs. And only slow careful turns. And no clipless pedals.

In Charleston I can imagine the best bet is to wait the 3-4 days it will take for the snow to melt. I can only imagine trying to share the roads with people unaccustomed to driving in snow.

+1 on the advice about how much it will slow you down and make you work harder.

I would suggest.

1. Leave an hour earlier - snow will slow you down.
2. Use studded tires if you can (but with 2 inches of snow you probably won't need them)
3. Ride on the sidewalk if you can where you have un-touched snow. (assuming of course you live in an area with low pedestrian traffic on the sidewalk)

If you ride on the road, as cautious as you may be, you cannot control a car that has slipped out of control.

I use a skinny tire in the back, at at least 80psi, to keep rolling resistance lower, and a studded tire in the front to keep the bike from suddenly getting out from under me. Fenders for sure, but mount them close to the tire at the intake (back) so that they chop the snow out before it gets lodged in there. If the roads were cold before the snow, but the snow came down wet, there will be ice ruts, so fresh snow is your friend. Otherwise, the ruts are probably a better bet.

There are so many variables though, no wonder there is some conflicting advice out there!

We're under 4-5" and are supposed to get another inch. As I don't have work today (teaching - the only profession you still have snow days), I biked my Phillips to the local diner. At least when the snow is fresh, there isn't any ice or ruts to deal with, but be extremely careful about potholes and drifts at the side of plowed roads.

Since your location is Charleston South Carolina I would just wait until around 8 or 9 in the morning and it will all be gone.LOL

let some air out of the tires

I'm repeating others here, but my guidelines:

Lower your tire pressure.

Keep your butt in the saddle at all times. Even studs and knobbies slip like crazy if you don't have weight over the rear wheel.

Intersections are especially slippery. In keeping with the previous guideline, downshift early and spin through rather than mashing out of the saddle.

Don't keep a white knuckle grip on the handlebars. Relax.

Don't overcompensate steering when you feel your wheels tracking in a rut. Keep pedaling through it. It's just like driving a car on sloppy roads. You'll slip about more if you let off the gas or hit the brakes. Getting torque to the ground keeps you going in a straight line.

Have fun!

If the snow is wet or shallow enough that your tires will hit the ground no matter what, wouldn't it make sense to have higher pressure, not lower pressure? I'm not sure.