I finally moved back into my old apartment building (after a month) and i am within a proper commuting distance.

The day i moved in (the Saturday) though it snowed over 17 inches in a day and a night and i have been unable to ride, I tried riding the next day Sunday but there was too much snow and my front tire kept washing out, and now all the proper routes have turned into hard crunchy surfaces....

the only way to get to work would be riding in the center of the lane on the main streets,

am i just being a woos? the cold isn't bothering me at all, went out for a test ride tonight but couldn't get very far from home. Had one pretty good crash as well lol
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How does the old adage go ? Discretion is the better part of valor ?

The riding conditions along with the weather will get more favorable, bide your time.

Well, you need a good winter bike. Set one up with studded tires, fenders etc. and you can brave the snow and ice. Now, 17 inches all at once is too much, but just wait for the plows to finish up and then you're ready to go. Thats what I do. It only hurts a little a first getting reaquainted with a heavier bike and rolling resistance of the tires but it becomes second nature after a few rides.

With that much unplowed snow, unless you're willing to buy a ridiculous bike like a Surly Pugsley, you're not going to have much luck. Even with studded tires you can't navigate 17 inches of snow. Pugsleys have really super wide tires (like, 100mm wide or so) and can just ride over. Most people aren't willing to spend $2000 on a winter bike though.

Personally I ride when there are less than 4 inches of snow on the ground, which where I am is all but about 3 or 4 days a winter.

I've tried riding with more snow than that, but when I have to walk it up hills, and pedal hard to go DOWN hills (I stopped moving if I stopped pedalling) I gave up and went home for the car.

let us know how it goes. Winter isn't too far off for us here in Wisconsin. I plan on switching to my MTB and putting some Conti Trail King 29 x 2.4s on it.

Studded tires like these or Nokians or Schwalbes would work better for sure, but you do need the snow to be cleared a bit first...below the axles would be good.

https://45nrth.com/products/tires/xerxes



https://www.suomityres.com/w106.html

I've done it.. you need to be prepared for some ticked off drivers though.

this

I haven't tried it but I'm pretty sure that 17" of untracked is fresh snow is over the limit even for my Moonlander. Although If any bike could do it.... Honestly all I'd need is one set of tire tracks or a snowmobile track to follow and I'd be fine.

I got into about a foot of untracked powder last year on a weekend ride and it was a lot of work, but totally doable. (see pic) It wasn't the bike it was the engine (me) that was the problem.

XC Skis are good Snow transportation..

The favor has officially changed the lanes are now open, tomorrow is my first official winter commute day! stoked to be getting back on the bike.

In winter time I only ride when the roads are clear of snow, otherwise my 27.4kms commute would take too long. Last winter I still managed to take my bike almost 50% of the time.

I wouldn't ride (anymore) in those conditions unless it's on a MUP. Too dangerous with cars sliding around.

or running snowshoes.

This. Between our house and local village is about 1.7 miles, half is a MUP about 7' from the road and the half closest to the village is a dedicated bike path. Given how often I see cars slide in to other cars, light posts, signs, curbs, ditches, pedestrians, and bicyclists, I have little desire to play with them. So, during winter I limit bicycle commutes to only places that I can reach by segregated path.

I'm itching to ride to work this winter but I worry about the cars sliding around on the snow. Still I'm tempted to pick up one of the bikes direct fat bikes . . . . just for winter riding.

I think if it too difficult one day, you just find another way to work, ya dont want to get killed before your time lol Dont they plow the roads near you? Just wait till they plow.

I dont commute cause i work outta my van. But I ride at least 5 times a week all year long in Michigan.
Most of the time I can ride,,,if it is too crazzy like 10 inches of snow before they can get it plowed,,I wait till most streets are plowed before I ride,,seldom is it impossible to ride for more than one day at time.