I had an interesting conversation with a young cyclist while out running errands by bike the other day. He was doing the same and was very interested in my pogies (Bar Mitts), having very cold hands himself. He was also interested in my lobster claw mittens, really overkill, as my hands were a little too warm using both together. Also, my studded tires. The times when you need studded tires here is limited over the winter, and taking them off and putting them back on frequently is annoying. If you’d like to have the flexibility to easily switch back and forth between studded and not studded tires on the same bicycle, a second wheel set would be useful.
It’s quite possible to be comfortable and safe in winter conditions with the proper gear. The conditions being as extreme as they will be this week, be extra careful. Leave no skin exposed to avoid frostbite. Take extra care with face, hands, and feet. It’s still easy to overheat the core by overdressing, even in these conditions, but also easy to get frostbite. Plastic bags or foil over the socks is an old trick to cut wind infiltration and stay warmer. Resist the urge to layer thick socks to the extent that your feet are tight in your shoes or boots. It cuts down on blood circulation and will make your feet colder. The same goes for your hands. Plastic surgical or painter’s gloves help against wind infiltration, but they can make your hands sweat. Wind/rain pants over my work pants or insulated cycling tights are essential for me. Fog resistant ski goggles and a ventilated face mask are a great help, but it is still possible to get frost nipped from the flaps and holes, so if you need more protection, there are options. And as always, dress in layers, and let yourself be a little cool at the beginning of your ride. You don’t want to sweat and then have the wet layers turn cold against your body. Wool is a good choice. Never cotton in the cold.
As for the streets, sometimes in the winter it may be necessary to take a sidewalk when the streets are unsafe or impassable. Of course curb cuts blocked by mounds of snow is a problem. I’ve often been tempted to carry a small camping shovel and clear the ones blocking my path myself. The patchwork of sidewalks scooped and not scooped presents a very real obstacle. City ordinance says the following: “City ordinance requires property owners to clear snow and ice from sidewalks by 9 a.m. the day following the end of the snow storm. Sidewalks must be kept clear of snow and ice during the day. The entire width of the walk must be cleared, along with any adjoining wheelchair ramps or curb cuts.” Also: “Every owner or occupant of any house or other building, or the owner or proprietor, lessee, or person entitled to the possession of any vacant lot, and any person having charge of any church, jail, or public hall, or public building in the City shall, during the winter season and during the time snow shall continue on the ground, before 9:00 a.m. the morning subsequent to the cessation of any snow storm, clear the sidewalks in front of such lots from snow and ice and keep such sidewalks free from snow and ice during the day; provided, however, all owners or occupants of any properties within the area bounded by 7th Street on the west and 17th Street on the east and “K” Street on the south and “R” Street on the north shall before 9:00 a.m. every morning, clear the sidewalks in front of such lots from snow and ice and keep such sidewalks free from snow and ice throughout the day, or in case the snow and ice are so congealed that they cannot be removed without injury to the sidewalk, shall apply sand or approved de-icing agent in sufficient quantities to cause said walk to be safe for pedestrian traffic. Said owner shall also at all times keep such sidewalks clear and free from all dirt or filth, or other obstructions or encroachments so as to allow pedestrians to use said sidewalks with safety. Failure on the part of any person upon whom a duty is placed by the provisions of this section to perform such duty shall be deemed a misdemeanor and punishable as in this code provided.”
And from the FAQ list on LTU’s site: “Why do bike trails get cleared of snow before many streets?”
“The removal of snow from City bike trails is the responsibility of the Parks and Recreation Department, not LTU. Both bike trails and streets are an important part of the City’s overall transportation network, and many people use the City’s trail network all year.”
Yes, we do, thank-you!