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Winter riding in Chicago - Posted on 2006-12-04 18:40:32

scooter_bob
600cc Boy Racer

Joined:
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Posts: 110
Location:
Chicago
United States

Everyone tells you to watch out for ice, but not everybody experiences the difficulties. This is what I learned. Dec. 3 was Chicago's Toys for Tots run and I wanted to try it for my first time. Dec. 1 we had an ice/snow storm that left about 8" of wet snow everywhere. No riding on that day. The next day I took my car out to check out the streets. Main streets... clear... side streets... clear... alley by my garage... snow and ice ruts. The weather was 32 degrees F and sunny, so I cleared a path out of my garage to one of the main snow/ice ruts in the alley, and away I went. The center of the rut was dry to the pavement so not many problems except for the speed bumps which were still ice covered. Leaving the alley there is a dip where the alley meets the street, and it was full of water/snow and ice. Traveling at a slowww pace, I entered the street. It was then, that I found that my rear wheel was turning faster than my front wheel. My Swing did a 90-degree spin when I reached dry pavement. Time to fill up the tank. I drove to my regular gas station with the caution I use for driving in the rain... cautious... leave plenty of room... and pay extra close attention to my mirrors. At the gas station I found there was ice by all the pumps. I looked for the pump with the least amount of ice, and filled her up. Now my Swing was full, but I was empty. So off to a fast food place a couple of blocks away. Out of the gas station, and back on the main street. This is when I found that ice loves the shade of buildings. The east side lane was dry and was like driving in 70 degree temps... the west side lane was loaded with black ice (ice from car exhaust), and I almost lost it changing lanes. Well no harm done.. so I went to eat. After eating I noticed the main street was all blocked up due to a Christmas parade about a mile away. So I took the side streets home. This is where I almost got hit with snow from someone clearing out his car and dumping the snow into the center of the street. And yes it is illegal to dump snow in the middle of the street. As I was entering my alley to finaly get home, I turned into the wrong rut. Well no problem I thought, I'll just ride over into the other rut. Now front tire in one rut, and back tire in the other rut, she starts to lean. Firmly holding the rear brake I try to stand it up, nope she's going down... ever so slowly. I reach over, turn off the ignition, and let her rest on her side. I stood back, looked, cursed under my breath, then stood her back up. Started her back up, then rocked her like you would do a car to unstick her. It took 20 minutes to go 150 feet to my garage. Luckily no damage done. Did I go on the toy run... no. Did I learn anything... yes. KNOW YOUR LIMITS. And for me, the only way to know my limits is to push them when I am in control. I will not drive intentionally on ice again, but if I have to, I know first hand what to expect. The whole trip, I only used my rear brakes because Honda has a linked braking system. Have a fun and safe winter, bob

Replies


	Winter riding in Chicago - Posted on 2006-12-05 08:16:09
gfisher 1300cc Superstar Joined: Tuesday, November 02, 2004 Posts: 2725 Location: Glasgow United Kingdom	brave riding in icy conditions. snow or ice here no way would I ride a bike.

	Winter riding in Chicago - Posted on 2006-12-05 10:43:20
suzuki_goddess 1300cc Superstar Joined: Tuesday, March 15, 2005 Posts: 2318 Location: Jersey United Kingdom	nope, nor me!

	Winter riding in Chicago - Posted on 2006-12-05 13:48:32
The_Reverend 1300cc Superstar Joined: Wednesday, February 16, 2005 Posts: 1078 Location: Coventry: Why? United Kingdom	Done it just the once on a road bike, never again!

	Winter riding in Chicago - Posted on 2006-12-05 13:51:57
kenp1947 1300cc Superstar Joined: Sunday, July 31, 2005 Posts: 771 Location: Cheltenham United Kingdom	fair play to you bob I wouldnt have attempted it still always knew our american cousins were slightly mad LOL

	Winter riding in Chicago - Posted on 2006-12-05 20:21:49
fredcbr6uk 1300cc Superstar Joined: Saturday, July 08, 2006 Posts: 513 Location: beccles United Kingdom	riding in ice, lets be honest there are too many bikers that wont even ride in the shade over here, let alone ride in bad weather.

	Winter riding in Chicago - Posted on 2006-12-06 01:47:16
scooter_bob 600cc Boy Racer Joined: Saturday, October 28, 2006 Posts: 110 Location: Chicago United States	One of the people I know said "they wouldn't ride unless it was sunny out for at least a week strait".... come to think of it.. he never did ride last summer.

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