Riding in Winter

[aschem]

Let me first say that when I first posted this topic I wasn't sure what I was going to do. Now that I have read all of the input, I am going to seriously re-think my plan due to the short distance involved. I may even ride a bicycle on non-icy days. The thought of owning a sidecar really got me thinking about owning a Ural or something similar, but I have no room (or money) for one. Definitely not going to ride on days where ice is present. Again, thanks for your input and for the pictures.

[Chuck in Indiana]

The biggest issue is ice.  Back east especially.  Wet cold usually means black ice in the mornings.  The other is when daytime temps thaw out snow, water runs across road and freezes at night.

Yep, BTDT, Don't do it any more. 

[Scud]

I ride in winter all the time. Oh wait... I live in San Diego. What's winter?

On a serious note - I do get my dirt bike in the snow frequently, but the street bikes rarely see snow (typically only at high elevations). Do gear up - and be prepared to spend a lot of time in the elements in case something happens. Carrying a few little things like a thermal blanket, trash-bag poncho, light sticks, heat pads (the ones that you break or knead and they start heating), some food/water, etc. can really help.

[charlie b]

No need for emergency stuff when riding through town :)

Yep, BTDT, Don't do it any more. 

I didn't think I would ride in the cold unless commuting.  Last couple of trips I found myself in below freezing weather and black ice on the roads.  Had to pull over and have breakfast to wait for the sun to come out.  :)  I just had not figured on the mornings being that cold when I started out.  Both cases I started at low elevation (above freezing) and was couple thousand feet higher when encountered the ice.

I have found that riding in the cold is not a bad thing, just means you have to have warm stuff  :)  If you are prepared it's a piece of cake.

[Chuck in Indiana]

No need for emergency stuff when riding through town :)

I didn't think I would ride in the cold unless commuting.  Last couple of trips I found myself in below freezing weather and black ice on the roads.  Had to pull over and have breakfast to wait for the sun to come out.  :)  I just had not figured on the mornings being that cold when I started out.  Both cases I started at low elevation (above freezing) and was couple thousand feet higher when encountered the ice.

I have found that riding in the cold is not a bad thing, just means you have to have warm stuff  :)  If you are prepared it's a piece of cake.

Yeah, I have all the electric stuff, balaclava, etc. I just go to California if I feel the need to ride in the Winter any more..