Right now – late March through early April – is the most refreshing time to ride a bike in Chicago. The visible signs of fading winter and approaching spring make me so grateful, I could weep. The chill in the air is enough to make my cheeks rosy, not to cause frost bite. The sun is still up and slowly setting as I make my way home. And the Lakefront Trail is calm and peaceful, not yet overcrowded.
I hope you all are enjoying your bike rides just as much!
My wish for bright spring colors came true today, at least a little bit. The amazing 50 degree temperature combined with the bright, lingering sun made the city feel like a springtime paradise. The sidewalks and lakefront were filled with Chicagoans basking in the glory of the weather.
The photos below look cold, but the mere fact that I was able to bike on the Lakefront Trail is a sign of the thaw. Most of the snow has melted, leaving behind mounds of dirt, salt and debris.
I even warmed up enough to remove my scarf, which looked quite lovely on Oma.
Unbelievably, I heard on the evening news that Chicago may get over a foot of snow mid-week. All the more reason to appreciate days like today, I suppose.
Lots of this…
…means lots of this.
Maybe the snow will stop by April, but I’m not getting my hopes up!
EleanorNYC has a lovely little post today showing “women who look stylish on their bike and not afraid of a little snow.” This reminded me that to not be afraid of a little snow, I need studded tires. If there is snow on the ground that has not yet been totally plowed off the salted streets, I’ll only ride my bike with studded tires.
These are the bad boys on which I rely: Schwalbe Marathon Winters. I bought them five or six winters ago and they’re still going strong.
Because I don’t have the time, patience or interest to swap out the tires myself (a longer-than-usual process for my Dutch bike), I brought Oma to a local bike shop a few weeks ago for her yearly tire swap.
When it was time to pick Oma up the next day, I Divvied to the shop. (Thanks again, Divvy!)
My girl was waiting for me, still wearing her medical bracelet.
Oma was also wearing a note from my friend Dan, who saw her when he happened by the shop later to have his bike serviced. An inside joke involving karaoke and Justin Timberlake – fun! :-)
Now Oma and I are ready to take on winter together and not be afraid of snow.
A lot of Chicago bicyclists get by fine without studded tires – and in fact I never put mine on two winters ago due to the relatively mild weather – but I like having them as an option. What do you do to take on winter bicycling?
See also,
My Schwalbe Marathon Winter review from 2009
Although the lakefront is melting, with temps in the teens and low twenties, spring still seems far away.
Bike Winter 4ever!
Five! That’s how many Chicago winters I have biked through. I counted over and over because five seems too high, but my math is correct.
Biking through my first winter, 2008-09, seemed so dramatic – I was amazed at my achievement. That was a particularly snowy winter, and I biked through all kinds of extreme weather to prove to myself that I could.
My second, third and fourth winters all seem like a blur now (except I distinctly remember bicycling the day after the great 2011 blizzard!), but it’s all documented in the LGRAB archives.
This winter started not so great, but I did not let that stop me. And there was soon cheerful news, as Chicago celebrated the installation of its first downtown protected bike lane.
There were some seriously freezing days, when I was very thankful for my hand and toe warmers. But many of the days were sunny and not too extremely cold.
I wore skirts and dresses almost every day, along with tights, of course.
Most of all, I took time to appreciate the unique beauty of biking through winter.
Now I am ready for spring!
How about you – did you bike through winter? Was it your first time? What stands out to you the most, looking back?
Dusk. Lake Michigan. Frozen waves. Two days after a storm dumped 9 inches of snow on Chicago. Just another work commute.
By the time I made my way up the trail, the sun had finished setting. As you can see, despite the heaps of snow, the trail itself is totally clear – plowed and salted.
There is something about bicycling outside on a particularly beautiful winter day that gets me every time. During these magical moments, no other season can compare.
This is a reminder to enjoy and appreciate the wintry beauty while we can, even while excited for spring.
{A different look at the beauty of wintry Lake Michigan two years ago.}
Welcome, March!
March means almost spring!
While out and about on my bicycle yesterday, I noticed some definite signs of early spring.
For example, after brunch with my women-who-bike friends Catherine, Christina and Maria, the sun was high and bright, making Maria look particularly angelic…
And casting a strong shadow for Betty Foy…
And slowly but surely melting the patches of snow…
And causing icicles to drip at a fast pace.
I noticed that these early spring sights had accompanying early spring sounds – notably, the sounds of melting icicles and birds chirping. Here is your one minute of meditation for the day:
I’m already daydreaming about the long recreational rides I will take on my bike in the coming months. Maybe a trip up to the Botanical Gardens or down to the Indiana border. Until then, I will wear the Road Holland jacket I have for review (and that would be perfect for such rides) while hanging around the house working. And daydreaming. :-)
Of course, as I type this early Monday morning, the forecast calls for half a foot of snow on Tuesday. Such is life.
Have you noticed sights and sounds of early spring in your neck of the woods (or of early fall for Australians)?
On Sunday, I biked 20 miles in a Zac Posen dress and four-inch high-heeled ankle boots. My day was full, including a trip downtown for a Joffrey Ballet performance and to the Logan Square neighborhood for my friend Sara’s Oscar party. Getting ready in the morning, I considered throwing on jeans, flat boots and a wool sweater, but decided to stay strong and dress appropriately for the occasions.
The (second-hand) dress conveniently zips all the way down the back from both ends, allowing me to create more leeway from the bottom while on my bike.
The weather was sunny and 30 degrees. For the ride, I threw on a cardigan, trench, cashmere scarf, gloves, and winter helmet. The trench coverage was helpful because the dress did ride up a bit while biking.
Once I got downtown, I was able to take the Dearborn protected bike lane for the final mile and a half. The city has a special snow plow to use for protected lanes and the lane was plowed, but sloppily and some areas were more clear than others.
And look! An SUV parked in the lane. This was the second one I saw. The city needs to: 1) create better signage; 2) build real barriers; and 3) ticket these drivers.
Okay, back to my happy place…
The ballet, American Legends, was beautiful and thought-provoking as always, as was the view from my first-row-balcony season ticket seat. (Thanks, Groupon!)
Leaving the ballet, I mounted my camera on Betty Foy’s handlebars and made a video of my ride on the Dearnborn protected lane and the connected Kinzie protected lane. I’ll post the video soon.
The Oscar party was fun (despite the host’s lame “jokes”) and I enjoyed biking home on empty streets at the end of the night, 12 hours after I left. My dress and heels were fun for the day, but I was happy to change into flannel pajamas. :-)
On Saturday, I visited the Art Institute in downtown Chicago for a lecture on the museum’s new Picasso exhibit. The outing involved a total of 14 miles of bicycling in 15-20 degree temps. No big deal. ;-) I set out on Betty Foy wearing my new Wolford tights with a dress, trench coat and suede knee boots.
Unfortunately, once I got going, I realized that I was quite underdressed for the weather, with freezing toes and thighs.
But there was no turning back – all I could do was make the best of the situation, which was not difficult, considering the beautiful surroundings.
Despite the chill, I felt great after the 7 mile ride and happy to spend time with my friends Sara, Chika and Glenn.
The Art Institute is one of my favorite places in the city. I really should go more often, since I have a membership this year that allows for free admission.
The indoor sculpture courtyard is a must-see during every visit.
Another favorite sight is Chagall’s American Windows.
After the museum, we headed through the Loop to have a drink and a bite at Pops for Champagne. The ride there was lovely, as we got to take advantage of the Dearborn protected bike lane.
Fortified with food and drink, I enjoyed my freezing but refreshing bike ride home.
As always, bicycling around made my day out in Chicago twice as enjoyable. :-)
Did you have a fun outing by bike this weekend?
I have not left my house since Monday due to a dreadful illness. Today I’m venturing to the outside world again, but sadly not on my bicycle because 1) Chicago is a slushy, icy, snowy mess and 2) no energy.
Here’s a quick trip down recent-memory lane. When I walked out my front door on Monday morning, the ground looked like this…
And the streets looked like this…
So I walked myself to the L train and got to work that way.
In Chicago, all neighborhoods have a direct public transit route to downtown. While I prefer to ride my bike, taking the L train from my home to my office is quick and easy. Unfortunately, the situation gets trickier when I want to go somewhere other than downtown. At least one transfer is involved, which adds a lot of wasted time to the trip. Times like those are when I really appreciate the freedom that my bike provides.
A perfect example is my Monday evening outing. After work, I met up with my friends in the Logan Square neighborhood, which is a few miles west of my neighborhood. This involved taking a bus and transferring to the L train – basically, a lot of standing around waiting in the cold, then gripping a pole while trying not to fall or touch any other passengers inappropriately. No way would I want to do that every day as my regular commute. I reeeeeeeally missed my bike.
But it was nice to get off my usual beaten path. Here is Logan Square after sunset:
Here is my friend Ash, ridiculously awesome woman. If you look closely, you’ll see her one-month-old daughter tucked warmly in a special “car seat” in the bakfiets. Read how she rigged it up and how she biked with her baby eight miles roundtrip to our brunch on Sunday. Meanwhile, I was on the bus. I know. Lame.
And here is my friend Megan, also looking very winter cycle chic and being cooler than me with her bicycle.
Back to the public transit story.
After saying goodnight to my friends, I planned to take two buses to get home, but when the CTA tracker informed me of a 25 minute wait for the first bus, I realized that traveling the few miles home would end up taking well over an hour. I hailed a cab instead – definitely not a financially viable way to get around the city on a regular basis, but at least I was home in ten minutes. Bonus, I got to sit uncomfortably while the cabbie talked to himself and yelled at other drivers during the whole ride.
But again I reeeeeeeeally missed my bike.
So as you keep on keeping on, winter cycling friends, remember to thank your bicycle for being awesome.
Anyone else forced to take public transit and appreciating your bike even more as a result?
Happy February!
This morning, my friend Elizabeth posted a response on Bike Commuters to a dumb op-ed stating that winter bicyclists are “insane” and “suicidal.” I love how her response is so reasonable. Unfortunately, this particular poorly written op-ed is only a drop in the bucket of ridiculous stuff written and said about winter bicyclists.
My own personal response is: calm down and stop being so lame! You sound silly. Winter bicycling is perfectly rational and enjoyable.
So when I returned home from work this evening after bicycling 6 miles in 10 degree temps (-12 C), I made a quick video demonstrating how simple and normal the whole thing is. Pretty dorky, but I’m embracing my inner Liz Lemon in remembrance of 30 Rock.
My bike ride this evening could not have been better. As I cycled along the lakefront, the setting sun turned the sky soft shades of blue and pink over the placid, icy blue lake. Salt covered the trail, rendering the danger of ice moot. I was not cold; I was happy. And here is what I wore.
What would you say to those anti-winter-bike goofballs?
{See also; video of cycling the lakefront, how to dress for winter cycling, and the LGRAB Winter Guide}
The past three days have been warmer than earlier this week, but presented challenges related to precipitation, rather than temperature.
Snow fell heavily on Friday morning and I took the L train to work. I never bike when the streets look like this:
One day later, the skies were clear and blue…
…and the snow was reduced to mucky slush on the side of the road.
My friend Janet and I were able to ride our matching Omas to ballet burn class with no problem. (Except for ballet-burn-related soreness!)
Sleet and freezing rain have been falling all day Sunday, which I took as a sign to stay inside and read Wide Sargasso Sea (and hate Mr. Rochester so much). The world outside my window looks pretty nasty, so I’ll probably be on the L train again Monday.
This mix of snow, sun and sleet reminds me that the best way to get through winter is to be flexible and not put pressure on myself to bike all the time.
When I feel comfortable biking, I enjoy it so much more.
The morning temperatures this week have varied from 0 degrees to 10 degrees, plus some snow has been falling. For a good idea of how bitterly cold Chicago is, check out this photo below of a warehouse fire in the city.
Photo by Jose M. Osorio
Yeah, that’s cold!
I spent part of the week riding public transportation and part of the week bicycling. Although I have biked in sub-zero weather before, the convenience of the L train lures me to the easy option when I’m feeling lazy. Which is often. A couple friends have been bicycling on days I took the L, so I give my hardcore title up to them. :-)
These photos are in an alley. The streets are much clearer, so biking in snow and ice has not really been an issue.
When I ride my bike on super cold days, there are some key pieces I rely on, as I’ve mentioned before.
Wool leggings over my tights to allow me to wear skirts and dresses.
Snow boots that have been serving me well since 2001 (or the brown ones shown above).
Ta-da!
I hope everyone is staying warm, whether on the bike or not.
Now how many weeks until spring? ;-)
Winter bicycling is more than temperatures and forecasts and wool layers and hand warmers. Winter bicycling is when the world brightens as the wind whips and my mind clears as my cheeks flush.
My fingers and toes may be numb, my nose may be running, my eyes may be watering – but I am the happiest and calmest version of myself, bicycling on a crystal clear winter day.
Today I experienced a rare winter treat: leaving the office early enough to catch the sun before setting. The late afternoon light painted the sky with an ombre splash of color, inspiring me to record a video that I hope conveys some of the joy of the ride.
The accompanying song is “This Winter I Retire” by Said The Whale.
(Hello, there!)
What is winter bicycling to you?
Winter is my favorite time to ride a bike in Chicago. The paths are relatively empty and there are many sunny mornings, when the blues and whites and sands shine brilliantly.
There has been a little ice and snow this winter. Just enough to add a bit of sparkle to the city, not enough to disrupt my routine or put challenges in my path.
I cannot imagine Chicago winter without bicycling. I think life would be pretty grim this time of year, if I did not have a reason to frolic outside with regularity. And I would miss out on so much beauty!
I found an old draft post from December 2010 with the working title, “New Pictures…”
Hey, look, winter!
How funny to look at these on a 90 degree day. I thought you all might get a kick out of this. Seems unreal.
After mentioning that I have not put my studded tires on Oma yet, I missed them this weekend. Some mild precipitation on Friday night caused patches of black ice to form all around the city.
I had to walk Oma over black ice several times while getting around on Saturday – biking to Logan Square to try on vintage outfits from Holly’s Lucite Box for the upcoming Bike Winter Fashion Show (found a gorgeous blue velvet dress), back to Lakeview for Heritage Bicycles’ grand opening party (crowded!), and to Wicker Park with a bikey group to see circus-punk marching band Mucca Pazza (pure fun). On Sunday, I decided simply to take the L to the Loop to see Mamet’s Race at Goodman Theatre (excellent).
Not simply a wet road, but a sheet of thin black ice
Based on this experience, I decided to put the studded tires on Oma, but today’s forecasted high of 44 F has me delaying the studs again. But I’m extra cautious while biking, especially at night.
I’ll leave you with a Mucca Pazza song to brighten your Monday morning. :)
I consider winter to be more than half-way over around this time, late January/early February. February is usually brutal, but at least I know spring is around the corner. This year, November, December, and now January have passed with only a few super freezing days and two noteworthy snowfalls that melted quickly. I haven’t even put studded tires on Oma yet.
By enjoying this extremely mild winter, I feel like I’ve gotten away with something major, like a jewelry heist. I almost don’t want to write this down for fear of jinxing myself, but I do want to celebrate making it over the hump of winter, however small said hump was this year.
How’s everyone else doing with winter bicycling this year?
Six inches of snow fell on Chicago yesterday afternoon and evening. As I mentioned in my previous post, I had no intention of cycling in that mess. My plan was to take the L train, but a co-worker mentioned that she and a friend carpool along a route that passes by my L stop. She offered to pick me up anytime and I gladly accepted the offer. The car is already on the road anyway.
In the morning, I walked a block to the L station and a couple of minutes later she pulled up. I sank into the heated passenger seat – yup, heated – and enjoyed friendly conversation during a calm drive downtown. (I wonder, is there a way to make my Brooks saddle heated? ‘Cause that would be amazing!)
The car ride was no faster than my bike ride along the same route, about 25 minutes. (This is the busy route I recently recorded.) There’s a lot of backed up traffic, so I’m able to keep up with cars most of the way. Funny, they used to see me on my bike a lot in the mornings, when I took that route daily.
Snow started falling fast and furious around 1:30 pm and my office decided to close early at 3 pm. I knew that taking the L home would be an easy 25 minutes, much faster than a car in a snow storm, but deserting my co-worker wouldn’t have been very nice. :) The car ride home in the snow took one hour, but I didn’t mind at all. In fact, I enjoyed the opportunity to get to know her better. In my heated seat.
There is no way I would have biked in the snow given the road conditions. If I were in Copenhagen with protected bike lanes maintained by snow plows, sure, but that was obviously not the case. (You wouldn’t know, but there’s a snow-covered bike lane in the photo above.)
I saw a couple of intrepid cyclists during the ride and I was stressed out just watching them. I saw a couple others walking their bikes, like this mom and child below. I assume they set out on the bakfiets hours earlier, before the snow got out of control.
Does anyone else carpool sometimes? Seems it was all the rage in the ’90s, but I never hear anything about it now. I enjoyed the experience and in the future when I need to take the L train, I may text my co-worker first to see if she’s carpooling that day. I hate standing up on the L, plus it costs $2.25 each way. And did I mention heated seats? ;)
Did anyone bike home in the snow?? If so, my hat is off to you.
Let's Go Ride a Bike 
