Yeah, me too! I was totally white when I got home. Good times.
I ended up investing in studded tires. I haven’t used them before. It sounds like I am riding on gravel but I figure avoiding just one fall with a broken arm and they are worth it. I am trying to make the whole winter on the bike. This is my first real change I have had to do it.
I arrived home and announced I was Snowy McSnowerson.
If you don’t fall just once, anything is worth it. But I’ve never fallen in the snow (actually, once in Boston I did go down on ice. But I was barely moving and wasn’t hurt).
I just don’t think snow is such a big deal. It’s not that different from biking without snow. Just don’t break or turn too suddenly.
And hell, it barely snows here in NYC.
Generally I won’t bike if there is snow cover on the street. But that’s like once a year here in New York. And it’s not the snow I’m afraid of but the bad pavement hiding beneath it.
I’m trying to bike through this winter in NYC. I even rode through the nasty storm on Friday. I did find it annoying yto have to walk my bike up the QB bridge since I had zero traction with smooth 700 x 23s.
Does the city ever plow the bridge bike lane (I’m assuming no)? Any suggestions for knobby tires that would help with the snow and are 28 or 30 max width?
I can always get on the bridge, but I didn’t go up it on Friday. Did you put all your weight toward the rear (basically just sit on the seat)? I find that it’s hard to position yourself like that when you can’t get good traction. But if you can, you do.
Of course, I bet I weigh more than you.
Actually, the city does a pretty job on the bridge. If anything, they usually oversalt it.
8 Responses
What kind of tires do you ride in the snow?
Last night I was riding my standard smooth skinny-tired road bike tires (700 X 23). I wasn’t riding aggressively, granted, but they were just fine.
It was particularly fun going over the Q-boro Bridge, which was covered with snow.
If I road regularly on a snow trail, then I would probably consider buying “snow tires.”
Yeah, me too! I was totally white when I got home. Good times.
I ended up investing in studded tires. I haven’t used them before. It sounds like I am riding on gravel but I figure avoiding just one fall with a broken arm and they are worth it. I am trying to make the whole winter on the bike. This is my first real change I have had to do it.
I arrived home and announced I was Snowy McSnowerson.
If you don’t fall just once, anything is worth it. But I’ve never fallen in the snow (actually, once in Boston I did go down on ice. But I was barely moving and wasn’t hurt).
I just don’t think snow is such a big deal. It’s not that different from biking without snow. Just don’t break or turn too suddenly.
And hell, it barely snows here in NYC.
Generally I won’t bike if there is snow cover on the street. But that’s like once a year here in New York. And it’s not the snow I’m afraid of but the bad pavement hiding beneath it.
I’m trying to bike through this winter in NYC. I even rode through the nasty storm on Friday. I did find it annoying yto have to walk my bike up the QB bridge since I had zero traction with smooth 700 x 23s.
Does the city ever plow the bridge bike lane (I’m assuming no)? Any suggestions for knobby tires that would help with the snow and are 28 or 30 max width?
I can always get on the bridge, but I didn’t go up it on Friday. Did you put all your weight toward the rear (basically just sit on the seat)? I find that it’s hard to position yourself like that when you can’t get good traction. But if you can, you do.
Of course, I bet I weigh more than you.
Actually, the city does a pretty job on the bridge. If anything, they usually oversalt it.
March 2, 2009
Snow was too high at 8 inches to bike properly in Long Island City. I kept tipping over and decided to hop on the subway, instead.
I too am planning on the N train today!