Tue Jan 07 2025
Admin
Shop
Sponsors
Marketplace
Register
Login
Register
Login
Toggle navigation
Events
News
Features
Reviews
Shop
Cities
Trails
Update Trail Status
Rules of the Trail
Trail Conditions
Trails
Trail Finder
New
Update Trail Status
Rules of the Trail
Trail Conditions
Bike Shops
Resources
Community
Join
Benefits
Portals
Blog
Reviews
FAQ
Ride Reminders
BIKEIOWA 'In the Wild'
BIKEIOWA
Contact Us
About
Tags
New
Mobile
RSS
Sitemap
Logos
Packing List
BIKEIOWA Magazine
Biking in Iowa
Marketplace
Iowa Bicycle Tourism
Things to Do
Need a place to stay?
New to Town?
Iowa Seasons
About Iowa
RAGBRAI
Advocacy
Iowa Bicycle Coalition
Ride of Silence
Bicycle Laws
Complete Streets
Bicycle-Friendly Communities
Bicycle-Friendly Businesses
Bicycle-Friendly Universities
Commuting
Commuter Guide
Employer Guide
I Want To...
Create
Event
News
Trail Status Update
Recap/Results
Review
Find
Trail Maps
Bike Rentals
Volunteer Opportunities
Shop for BIKEIOWA Gear
Shop for Pogie Lites
Advertise
Become a Sponsor
Donate
Sponsors
Admin
Join
Tags
Sponsors
Marketplace
Blog: First winter snow
Sat December 11 2010
Posted Dec 12, 2010
8,557
Des Moines IA The first snowfall of winter usually sees a large drop-off in the number of cyclists on the road. Too bad… because with a lot of newer products like studded tires and older products like wool sweaters, it’s possible to get in a lot more riding. There are many pretty nice, not-too-cold days during our Des Moines winter. Except for the last two of winters, there are usually extended periods when temps are over 32F with lots of sun. Today, however, was not one of those great winter days. We had a near-blizzard last night with nearly 6 inches of snow on the ground. Winds are howling around 20 mph with gusts up near 30. The daytime high won’t hit 5F…. so it’s not exactly what you would call balmy out. But I needed to get down to Hyvee to pick up some coffee. Yesterday I picked up groceries using our family car… first time I’d been to the grocery store in a car in a long, long time. However, today I wasn’t about to start up my 3000 pound behemoth to pick up 12 ounces of coffee. So I got out my winter bike and started out. The wind was horrible, but the sun was almost bright enough to cancel it out. The snow was packed down pretty well, but I was doing a little fishtailing in some softer sections. Of course, the studded tires were flawless… no slipping or sliding… It’s a half mile ride to the store so it was possible to make the trip without a lot of heavy winter layers… My local Hyvee is a great spot for cyclists in that you can roll up to the rack, lock up and you are within 20 feet of the entrance. This is great since I don’t have to push a heavy through the snow back through the parking lot. Today I went with one pannier, took it off the bike and just loaded it at the checkout as if it was plastic or paper.
Read More...
Source:
Author:
Posted By:
8,557
views
SHARE
Portals
Commuting
Culture
City
Des Moines
Trail
Tag
Snow
Winter
Event
Related Sponsors
Support these BIKEIOWA Sponsors!
Christopher’s Fine Jewelry
Captain Roy's
Des Moines Cycle Club (DMCC)
DSM Financial
Miller Lite
Lucky Horse Beer & Burgers
Big Cock Bike Shop
Selle Anatomica
El Bait Shop
Truman's KC Pizza Tavern
Lederman Bail Bonds
Hessen Haus
Bike World - West Des Moines
Sully's Irish Pub
Beaverdale Bicycles
Royal Mile
Toppling Goliath Brewing Co.
The Iowa Taproom
High Life Lounge
Freeman Kevenides Law Firm, LLC
University Library Cafe
Tshirt Graphix
Comments
No comments have posted.
Loading…
Leave a Comment
You must be signed in to leave a comment.
Register
Login
Sponsors
More →