Yeah, we've got the sand/gravel thing going on here in a big way too. I haven't had to much trouble with it yet mostly because it's still wet or frozen to the roadway. But those icy patches and bumps are a whole different story. My commute time is way up cause I have to go slower and scout for hidden ice.

I ride with wide tires,1.5", on my commuter bike and at the moment have my studded tires which I think are 1.75". My road bike, with it's narrow tires, doesn't come out until the road sweepers have been out at least a couple of times. Thankfully the city/county get the sweeping done fairly quick because of all the dust the sand generates once the roads begin to dry out. I have been known to blow kisses to the sweeper crews on my commutes. bikerHen