so today after work I set out for home. I soon realized how much it had changed. once very went roads are now icey. The ice was super slick. I set out anyways knowing that I had to feed my cat. I got going ok then I had to stop. I almost fell. My first fall of the season was on nothing buy pure ice. the worst Ive seen in my 5 winters of riding. I feel backwards and had a very soft landing I was very surprised. It was soon to dry roads with no ice and I road an extra 4 miles because I was having such a good time. be carefull out there and enjoy the winter.

Glad you're ok. I commute on a roadie with 700 X 25 for a few years now.
It doesn't snow much here in the New York City area, but now that I got
a folding bike with 20 X 2.0 tires; I'm thinking of using that as my winter
commuter. The wider tires won't help me on ice but will be better on light
snow.

If one must ride the bad roads.. I guess you do.

Does it make any sense... ? IMO.. no.. by miles. NOT if one owns the four wheels.........

Why? Saw a dude last winter.. do down and w/o the very alert and albeit very SKILLED driving of the
four wheeler.. he'd have been TOAST. I mean.. run the * over. Biker was just surprised by some ice hidden under a lite snow covering.

LOVE the cold season riding.. but I want to continue it for YEARS. The risks involved with riding roads with cars and POSSIBLE falls due to less than tractable roads simply.. IMO respectfully.. make NO sense. At all.

The dude.. should really be DEAD. Woman driver too.. quick thinking and reaction time. He was lucky.. very.

NOT meaning to whiz on one's choice of conditions.. just.. remember.. is can be *-ing dangerous.

I do ride all winter without studs. I am even comfortable going over glare ice as long as it isn't too sloped. That took a bit of practice, a couple of winters before I felt comfortable on it, and even then I go slow.

The practice would come on my days off when I'd ride through alleys while running my errands. They are not cleared like the roads and have much more ice on them.

I do thump into the pavement once or twice a winter when the ice is under snow and I don't know about it. Fortunately I can go on bike trails, or on streets with almost no traffic at the times I get to work. (I had to be there at 5 AM for one job, but later now.)

Good on the soft landing! Sympathies for your tumble.

It just happened to me yesterday on ice. Never would have thought the tires could move sideways that quickly. Both tires slid off the frozen crown of the road placing me hard on my hip.

Gonna try to rest up & let the road crews do their thing today. A little stiff & sore. I gotta get those studly tires, prolly cheaper than an emergency room visit.

Winters fun but play safe! Get studs!

Yeah, sorry for your tumble. I use studded tires and they stick real nicely to good hard ice and black ice. Packed snow that has softened is the hardest thing to ride on as the bike keeps shifting and its slow going. Extreme caution is imperative at all times when winter riding even with studs. Take it slow and be careful. I still respect some peoples opinions on this subject but it can be done safely if your careful.

Bold mine.

Very true. Yet.. the reality is simple: the conditions mean events that happen so fast.. one nano second your upright enjoying the world.. the next nano second your DOWN. Been there say half a dozen times.. mostly due to NOT thinking. I get 'in gear'.. so to speak.. getting orientated to getting it DONE. Exchanging air every 2 seconds... I think tweaks my judgement.

I do admire the riders braving the worst elements. I have observed a few locally.. a very seldom rider/s.. taking what I consider idiot chances. My idea/goal in posting to the issue to make some think... is it really worth the risk?

Mostly.. I believe not.

*********

Love my cold season riding. Maybe.. in some ways.. more than fair weather.

Studded tires keep me upright. Works for me, YRMV. Got 3 pairs. Worth every penny.

I went down today, on studded tires. Here in Minneapolis, the hard icy ruts can take you down no matter what tires you have.