first cycle commute in snow

I am a regular cycle commuter who normally rides a bike with one inch slicks

This morning I wake up already running late (I was up to 3 am watching the Netherlands - Serbia Montenegro football game). The first thought that goes through my mind - is - good, it sounds like the rain that I could hear all night has stopped

then I open the door and its 'wow' its snowing (here in Christchurch it usually snows about only once a year and I've never seen it this early)

what thought goes through my mind? Where is the bus timetable? Can I wait long enough to share a cab with my bf who starts work an hour later than me? not me - the thought that goes through my mind is - I better get my mountain bike out of the shed.

I had a bit of a scramble around the house finding lights to go on my mountain bike (I very rarely use it in the dark) but after that it was fine.

It was the first time I have ever ridden in snow - given it was in commuter traffic and with drivers who aren't that used to driving in snow I felt I had to be extra cautious - but I kind of enjoyed it - certainly it made me feel 'staunch' (do you guys use that word?)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kiwi girl

certainly it made me feel 'staunch' (do you guys use that word?)

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I would if I rode in snow, but I guess I'm not since I don't. ;) I'm impressed! And with just ordinary mtb tires, not snow tires even! Be careful out there. In my experience, snow very quickly turns to ice.

Hey kiwigirl,

I just read the nzherald & stuff about the chaos with the weather on the north & south island...Keep warm dear..

Snappypix might not be online today as there was a power outage in auckland...i hope you were able to get to work with the wind & rain!!!

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3698262a10,00.html
c

It's hot and humid here now, but I've been wondering all summer if I'll be able to keep up with the bike riding during the winter. This year will be my first time giving it a shot. We get the extremes of both weather: over 38C (100F) with 90-100% humidity in the height of summer and near -17C (0F) with windchills that would freeze you solid during the coldest months of winter. I think I'll be good if we get snow, but if we get another ice storm blowing through, I'll probably have to give it up for a while.

Good luck, keep safe, and say warm! And any snow biking tips you could pass along would be good :)