winter riding tips?

[VeloVT]

So I just tried riding my new Bianchi Axis in sloppy conditions for the first time this morning. I went out for a run while it was still dark out and by the time I got back it was snowing hard and had dropped four degrees. I packed my commute backpack, changed into bike clothes and headed out. By this time two inches of snow had accumulated and started to pack in the morning rush traffic. About a block from my house, a line of cars stopped abruptly at a green (someone must have been pulling out further down the street). I grabbed a handful of brake and my bike slid right out from under me on a patch of ice. Luckily no cars behind me... I think I'll have a nice bruise on my hip tonight (hurts a little to walk), but that's about it, and the pretty new bike has didn't get even one scratch, just scuffed up one corner of bar tape (I cushioned its fall I guess) -- but I realized I really have no idea how to handle my bike in this kind of weather. I sheepishly walked my bike a block back home, showered and drove in (witnessed a few car accidents on the way, making me feel slightly less defeated).

So can anyone give me tips for handling, braking, etc (basically for not crashing) in slippery conditions? Also tire tips? I currently have the tires that came on the bike - since it's a cross, they're fairly knobby 700x35s running a fairly low psi.

I really want to ride this winter...

[mimitabby]

where do you live, Liza?

there are special tires for riding in snow; but unless you have them, you're going to slip and fall on ice.
let me rephrase that, on ice, EVERYTHING slips. Those cool tires HELP but don't make slipping go away.

So some days, you need to walk your bike ..

[VeloVT]

Thanks Mimi. I live in Burlington, Vermont (where until now we've been having an unusually warm winter).

[DeniseGoldberg]

There was a recent forum discussion on crazyguyonabike.com about using studded tires for winter riding. Just in case it might be useful to you, it's at http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/forum...ssage_id=41059.

[mimitabby]

ah. So you live in a place where you actually have to contend with a lot of snow most winters.
More people will post here, i promise . I was thinking you lived near me, because it snowed here last night, and my advice would be, don't bike in the snow unless you have to, because we just don't get snow that often!

[Geonz]

I'll ride in just about anything, but I really don'tlike falling down. So when it's fresh ice and snow... it's just physics. There are only two wheels and it's slippery. Not only that, those silly cars can slide into me.

THe past five years or so, that's meant maybe 5 days out of the year that snow & ice kept me from riding. However, if I were somewhere like Vermont... the addiction would be too great and I would feel compelled to get studded tires. They cost a bit and they're a lot more work - I wish they made them for the old Schwinn's so that bike could be a Dedicated Ice Bike and I wish I had the savvy to stud them myself.

Hint: if you're going out in the snow, do *not* put your keys in your pants pockets. Landing on them makes your hip even sorer and tears a hole in your sweats.

[run it, ride it]

I'll ride anything in any weather. Well, except for a flash freeze when I look out the window and see students trying to walk up the hill to school looking like ants in a bathtub.

Have you ever run on an ice rink? It's very possible; you just need to be careful, especially on stops and turns. Once you get going with the right feel, in a straight line, it's not bad.

Riding a bike on ice and snow is a lot like running on an ice rink (or driving in snow, for that matter). Always assume you are on pure ice. Leave absolutely ridiculous amounts of space, slow RIGHT down (gradually) for turns. Be prepared for sideways slippage and react calmly. Perhaps lower your seat a little so you can rebalance with your feet before physics commit you to a fall.

I find skinny road tires good for cutting through snow and minimizing sideways slippage. I'm already used to being cautious on them, and they alert me right away when I'm getting into dangerously slippery territory. But then again I'm a little crazy.

Good luck and glad to see you aren't giving up after nature bruises your ego! Happens to everyone