to those in the winter apocalypse.....
#1
Thread Starter
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From: Kentucky
Bikes: 06 Lemond Reno, 98 GT Timberline
to those in the winter apocalypse.....
Hope all stay warm and safe. Goes without saying, but I will anyway--don't try to overdo it. And those of us in the 65+ segment, even tho we may think we're in good shape, take it easy shoveling. Wish everyone a safe way thru the upcoming terrible winter weather. Hope to see y'all back here when it's over!!
#3
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From: Paradise, TX
Bikes: Soma Pescadero, Surly Pugsly, Salsa Fargo, State Warhawk, Gravity SS, Schwinn Klunker
It isn't exactly the apocolypse, but the grocery stores have all been emptied. We will winterize the pump house when we get home from the Fort Worth Stock Show tonight and hunker down for the weekend to see how it plays out. I have some light mechanic work to get caught up on, hope I don't have to go into town for supplies.
#4
450 people waited outside an area Lowe’s for ice melt yesterday before the store ran out. I got a 25 lb. bag from the corner store not two blocks from my house.
About 110’ of sidewalk, plus stoops, to shovel for myself and my neighbors Sunday morning. Then I’ll do it again once the storm passes.
My local bar should be packed on Sunday because of the weather and football. All the neighborhood joints do great business during storms like this.
No bike rides in the foreseeable future because the snow and ice isn’t going to melt any time soon. Glad I’m retired.
About 110’ of sidewalk, plus stoops, to shovel for myself and my neighbors Sunday morning. Then I’ll do it again once the storm passes.
My local bar should be packed on Sunday because of the weather and football. All the neighborhood joints do great business during storms like this.
No bike rides in the foreseeable future because the snow and ice isn’t going to melt any time soon. Glad I’m retired.
#5
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People around here are all nervous about single-digit temps and several inches of snow; having grown up in the far north, and having moved here from the Erie snow belt, I think most of these folks are pretty soft. I regard any snowfall under 5" as a light dusting. 

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#6
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Joined: Mar 2016
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From: Sussex County, Delaware
No apocalypse, it has been downgraded a bit for south coastal Delaware. Snow starting late Saturday night, 3-5 inches before turning to all rain for the afternoon. With a high temp of 40°F.
I went to the store this morning, no lines, a typical Friday morning. No problem getting the goods I needed.
I went to the store this morning, no lines, a typical Friday morning. No problem getting the goods I needed.
#8
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From: Eastern Shore MD
Bikes: Lemond Zurich/Trek ALR/Giant TCX/Stumpy 15
I have a 400’ driveway with decent grades.
Looking at 12-15”++, followed by at least a week of deep freeze.
Got a $400 quote to be plowed out!!! Plus $125 for coating of salt.
Not gonna happen. My 15 year old son will be busy.
Looking at 12-15”++, followed by at least a week of deep freeze.
Got a $400 quote to be plowed out!!! Plus $125 for coating of salt.
Not gonna happen. My 15 year old son will be busy.
#9
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Sunday (and maybe through Monday) we are due for over 12 inches of snow here in New York City. That's unusual for us. I've seen stuff like that but long ago. Things will stop working, and chances are, the local government will tell us to stay inside or at least not drive cars. Temperatures will also be lower than normal. I believe most trips in the City are by mass transit, not cars. You might think that makes us less affected by weather, and it's true but it's not as good as you'd think. Many subway lines are underground in some portions and over ground in other portions. (And yes, even when it's overground, we imprecisely call it the subway.) Things go wrong such as frozen signal and track switches. In this weekend's weather, many things might go wrong. And it's a good test for our new mayor (inaugurated on Jan 1). Some people will blame him for whatever goes wrong.
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New York City and High Falls, NY
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#11
Agree. We (in the Lake Huron snow belt) are sitting at 58cms snowpack (snow on the ground) at the moment on unploughed areas. Another 15-20+cms expected Sunday/Monday. So it continues.
#12
your god hates me



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LOL. Reminds me of when I was living in Boston MA in 1993, and we got one of those >4"/hour accumulation snowstorms...during which I decided to ride my mountain bike over to a friend's house. He lived less than a mile away, but over the course of that brief ride I had three separate automobile drivers pull up next to me, roll down their window, and yell "YOU'RE CRAZY!!!" at me!
#13
Snow I can deal with, having grown up in the Boston area. Okay, the Blizzard of '78 wasn't a lot of fun, but other than that, driving wasn't impossible.
Ice, on the other hand - not good, especially here in Upstate SC. Here's our forecast:

Basically, it just says 'STAY HOME and try to stay warm when the power goes out.'
Ice, on the other hand - not good, especially here in Upstate SC. Here's our forecast:

Basically, it just says 'STAY HOME and try to stay warm when the power goes out.'
#14
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From: South shore, L.I., NY
Bikes: Trek Emonda SL7, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo
As noglider said, NYC expected a foot or maybe more. I’m also seeing a forecast for sleet and ice which is going to make it really difficult to clear. As well, won’t be on the bike for a week or more, supposed to be continued cold next week, so nothing will melt.
#15
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From: northern Deep South
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
I've noted before, our snow and ice removal plan can be summarized as, "Wait until it melts."
So even if we only get 1/4" of ice, and 1" of snow, we'll be staying in the house until next Wednesday after it freezes tomorrow night. (Unless the ladies across the street need some help, of course!)
So even if we only get 1/4" of ice, and 1" of snow, we'll be staying in the house until next Wednesday after it freezes tomorrow night. (Unless the ladies across the street need some help, of course!)
#16
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Joined: Oct 2008
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From: in a house
Bikes: Specialized Aethos, Specialized Diverge Comp E5 and 2025 Spesh Tarmac SL8 Expert
Woke up at 7:30am to a brisk -31f...Watertown NY/Northern NY area...just a bit chilly
We've also been getting 4-10 inches of snow daily for the past few days...winter time meh, not a big deal
We've also been getting 4-10 inches of snow daily for the past few days...winter time meh, not a big deal
#17
Expecting 7”-10” here. At 71 I have paid my debt to the shovel. The much younger gentleman that left a note in my door that said he will clear the driveway and my sidewalk for $20 has my business. He informed me he made need to come more than once to keep it manageable.I told him I had more than one $20 bill!
#18
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From: Columbus, Ohio
Bikes: Lynskey R230, Trek 5200, 1975 Raleigh Pro, 1973 Falcon ,Trek T50 Tandem and a 1968 Paramount in progress.
Brings back memories of the "Storm of the Century," 1978.
10 inches of snow, 50mph winds. We were in school and my brother, not being one to indulge in mainstream activities, didn't listen to the radio or TV so rode his bike to class. To find it closed. He wrapped electric cord around his tires to make snow tires.
I was about to take midterm exams when I heard of the cancellation. So I packed up my stuff and trudged over to my then girlfriend's house. We have been married for almost 46 years.
A few days later, the roads were still impassable, but the bars were open! Party on!
10 inches of snow, 50mph winds. We were in school and my brother, not being one to indulge in mainstream activities, didn't listen to the radio or TV so rode his bike to class. To find it closed. He wrapped electric cord around his tires to make snow tires.
I was about to take midterm exams when I heard of the cancellation. So I packed up my stuff and trudged over to my then girlfriend's house. We have been married for almost 46 years.
A few days later, the roads were still impassable, but the bars were open! Party on!
#19
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From: se MIch.
Bikes: 1938 claud butler,1983 Basso,teledyne titan,teocali super,nrs,1993 stumpjumper fsr,Paramountain,Paramount Buell(sold),4 banger,Zaskar LE,Colnago Master Ibex MTB,1987ish,.etc....
polar vortex,
temp power lines won't stand a chance with 1" of ice in last years hurricane areas.will be a good test of how the entire Eastern US grid will handle the predictions outside of the predicted ice areas.
#20
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From: "Driftless" WI
Bikes: 1972 Motobecane Grand Record, 2023 Specialized Tarmac SL7,'26 Spesh Diverge, '22 Kona Dew+
I lived with that too for decades when I lived in Illinois. Winters early in the '80's, while I was 'rehabbing' the house we were living in, saw temps touch bottom at -26°F a couple of times.
Where I am now this system blew into town last Thursday night, NW winds 15 mph gusting to 30, temps dropped from 23°F on Wednesday to -12°F at midnight on the 22nd.
Some customers where I work part-time were telling of -27°F come Friday morning. It was -21° when I got up at 5, dropped to -23° by the time I'd had breakfast & was ready to put some 'miles' onto my MB, newly fitted to my trainer in the basement.
- 16°F right now out there, I'm not planning on venturing outside 'till maybe tomorrow, unless it's to go get the mail once it's arrived. At least the wind's not blowing anymore... yet.
Stay safe y'all out there, coming to grips with what a Real Winter can do to your plans, to say nothing of what it will do to your body should you be unprepared or overconfident.
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"Bramo assai,poco spero,nulla chieggio."
"Bramo assai,poco spero,nulla chieggio."
#21
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From: "Driftless" WI
Bikes: 1972 Motobecane Grand Record, 2023 Specialized Tarmac SL7,'26 Spesh Diverge, '22 Kona Dew+
I remember that one too! And the similar storm in 1967 a few hundred miles west of you when I was in high school in Illinois.
Coaster brakes I assume? Cord'd certainly play hob with rim brakes.
Coaster brakes I assume? Cord'd certainly play hob with rim brakes.
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"Bramo assai,poco spero,nulla chieggio."
"Bramo assai,poco spero,nulla chieggio."
#22
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Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Eastern PA
Bikes: Trek 4900, Cannondale Cx-4, Falcon San Remo, Peugeot PX-10LE
I dusted off my 1993 Toro 2 Cycle 6 HP single stage snowblower which has not been used in 4 years, snow removal here is by the association. I picked up some pre-mixed 92 octane fuel at Home Depot, dragged out the blower, two pulls and it started right up. I was amazed but you have to love 2 cycle engines. It was stored properly so I'll take some credit. 100lbs of calcium chloride and I'm ready to clear my walkway and drive if needed. Need to be able to walk the little doggie.
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“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the former."
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#23
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From: Columbus, Ohio
Bikes: Lynskey R230, Trek 5200, 1975 Raleigh Pro, 1973 Falcon ,Trek T50 Tandem and a 1968 Paramount in progress.
We (central Ohio) are at about a foot on Sunday morning and expecting an inch an hour throughout the rest of the day. But, as long as we have electricity and internet, we are good. Plenty of wine and beer and I can watch football or ride Zwift in the basement. Being retired, we really don't care.
#24
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From: Redmond, WA & Bangkok, Thailand
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#25
Broken neck Ken


Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Portland, OR
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Having lived in a variety of climates, I'd say it's more about the infrastructure and equipment than the population. Transformers will fail, limbs will fall on power lines, and the weight of ice will down others. Snow covered roads will not be plowed, and will not pack down to be driven upon. Instead it will go through freeze/ thaw cycles and be a complete clusterf. Neither the local government nor the population have equipment to handle this.





