one less car news

Clothing.

It’s funny to see people trying to be fashionable in the winter. You're riding your bike in the freezing cold. You’re going to look like a dork anyway, so at least look like a warm dork!

A windproof AND waterproof jacket is key. One with pit zips for ventilation is plus, but they're a little pricey.

I tend to wear layers. I always wear a base layer to wick moisture away from my skin. Moisture plus cold air means you're cold.

Next, a regular t-shirt and then I wear a wool jersey to top it off. If it's really cold I'll add my down vest under my shell.

A baklava is also a must! I usually pull mine down around my chin unless it's super cold. This year i'm trying out a beard, and so far so good...sorry ladies.

Glasses with clear lenses stops the freezing wind from blowing in your eyes and making tears and also protects them from rain, snow, sleet. etc.

Gloves I'm still working on- I've been wearing warm weather ski gloves covered inside a wind proof outer glove, but warmth is an issue. I have heard good things about lobster claws but have yet to buy a pair.

Footwear is hard- I ride spd pedals, so I used to go with regular spd shoes and neoprene shoe covers with cut-outs for spds. Last year I got a pair of Lake winter boots and have never been happier. No spd? I would recommend an insulated hiking boot- Gortex would be the best, but that shit's pretty expensive.

I also carry a chemical hand warmer and if something feels like it's so cold that it might fall off, I'll throw a hand warmer on it and get my ass home!

I also believe in helmets. I mean, you're riding a bike in crappy weather and on ice, and probably traffic- It only makes sense!

As always, comments and suggestions are encouraged!

-Cole

This week, instead of my regular Rules of the Road update, I decided to give some advice on winter riding.

I recently made a post on twitter wondering if anyone was reading any of this. Low and behold there was some response!

One response said I should put up some winter riding tips.

My winter riding resume looks like this: I rode day in and day out for 4 years in West Michigan where I faced everything a winter could throw at you, and this will be my third season here in Chicago and here it’s a whole new beast.

First let's talk bikes.

In Michigan as well as Chicago there is salt. The salt is thrown all over the roads to help melt the ice. Salt will destroy pretty much any bike with a quickness, so it’s best to have a winter bike. The idea is build up something simple that you really could care less about.

In the past I've rode a mountain bike that I converted to single speed, a Schwinn Varsity that was converted to fixed gear, and currently i'm riding a single speed road bike.

All have their advantages, but here are the things to really think about.

Fenders are a must! They will keep you dry and some of the crap of your bike.

Fixed gear gives you good control on ice and your brakes won't freeze up. I have had derailleur’s freeze up so I tend to stay away from them.

Disk breaks seem like a good idea- I haven’t tested them out yet, but rim brakes always get clogged with snow, or covered in so much grime they're pretty useless.

People always talk about studded tires, but I think they're way too expensive and pretty useless. 80% of the time you're riding on dry or just wet roads. The metal studs are also kinda sketchy on corners so I take my chances.

If there is a lot of snow, traction is an issue, and you're not running disk brakes, I like to run zip-ties around the tire. It makes like a paddle wheel and you can haul ass!

Something to look for in winter tires is a good commuter tire with a lot of groves in it. Big knobs- while they seem like a good idea, really just throw shit all over you and don’t provide a lot of traction in the snow.

Look for a tire that is really thick and around 28 mm wide- you want a tire that cuts through the snow and down to the pavement- not one that rides on top of the snow.

Feel free to leave a comment with any tips or questions you have and I'll try my best to answer them...

Tomorrow we'll post part two!

-Cole

While bikes seem good, in theory they're kinda tricky.

Sure- the bike lanes keep you out of traffic, but it also puts you square in the dooring lane. Not to mention the dive bombing cabs, delivery trucks, plus the *holier than thou* Mercedes driver parking in it "really quick" to get his dry cleaning.

My approach to bike lanes is to ride almost on the left white line.

Sure, I'm closer to traffic, but I feel drivers have to see you while the person opening their door doesn't ever see you coming.

I'm constantly scanning the parked cars. I'm looking for a head in the car- movement of any kind. If there is a person in there, there's a pretty good chance they are going to get out. I'm also looking for brake & reverse lights as an indicator. People are getting ready to pull out of their parking spot.

These are just a few tricks I've found.

I'm interested in seeing if anyone has any other ways of dealing with bike lanes and the streets in general.

-Cole

The basic theory is this: At a stop light there is a pretty good chance that a ca

r is in the right lane to turn right, and will do so without looking to see if there is bicyclist along side of them- and in doing so performs what is referred to as the right hook.

Now there are a lot more situations were this applies. Let's say a car is stopped as you approach. If you pass on the right they could be letting out a passenger, and if so, you're getting doored!

photo courtesy of buff

Passing on the left works because most likely the driver is not going to stop in the road and leave their vehicle sitting there- unmanned... although people in the city are pretty nuts.

With taxies this is especially important! They have a sign inside cabs that says: people exit on curb side of car. So if you see a taxi, stop. There's a pretty good chance there's going to be some getting in or out on the right hand side of the car.

The biggest risk with passing on right is oncoming traffic, but you do (most of you...) always have brakes, and if it means you have to stop and wait for traffic to clear, then go around! It's better than spending the day and $10,000 in the emergency room.

I know it seems to go against what your body is saying is safe out there, but it really is the safer ways to do things.

Stay safe out there!

-Cole

Rule #2

Be realistic.

The reality of riding in city traffic is that its your life you're playing with.

Those cars are big and the driver is always going to win.

If they hit you, you're the one who is coming out on the losing end- they're going to kill you in air conditioned comfort...

So it's your responsibility to take care of yourself!

I watched the fine movie Zombieland the other day and I had what I think is great idea for few blog posts.

The movie starts out with the main character Columbus talking about how he's survived as long as he has in a world full of zombies who want to eat him.

He explains that he lives by set of 32 very strict rules.

His rules were things like “the double tap”, which is if you shoot a zombie shoot it again just to make sure its really dead, and “always check the back seat”, because there just might be a zombie back there!

What does this have to do with bicycling you ask?

Well, I have been riding my bike and pedicab in Chicago everyday for 3 years now, and while I hear about people getting hurt everyday, I still haven't gotten hurt yet.

I realized its because I have certain rules I follow- just like Columbus in the movie, and these rules help keep me alive.

Let's face it- riding in the city isn't running from zombies, but it is life and death, right?

So, for the next few weeks I'll share some of my rules with you guys. I'm sure a lot of them you may know, but there may be some people out there just starting out and these could help.

I encourage you to comment with rules that you follow when riding!

Rule #1: Helmet.

I almost always wear my helmet. I know there are those of you who don't believe in them, or think they'll ruin your outfit, but the reality is they work.

I have always said “ if I die on my bike people will say I died doing something I loved".

But if I fall & get brain damage and end up in wheel chair with my friends taking me to bike shows because they knew I liked bikes- that would suck.

And if you wear a helmet, tighten up the chin strap and buckle it!

You already look lame because you have a helmet on, so you might as well go all the way, right?

And wear a real helmet. There are lots of companies out there making a wide selection of helmets, so you should be able to find something that you like.

Don't wear one of those old leather cycling helmets and think that it's going to help! I mean, come on! Really!?!

Bottom line: you don't get a ghost bike for brain damage.

-Cole

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Contest & 12 days of Christmas!!!

Someone out there needs a rack- a bike rack- a rear rack to be exact, made by the peoples @ Axiom! Just our way of saying thanks or your support!
To find out the details, follow Cole ( @1morebike ), myself (Brandon- @greezus ), or for a good time follow us both! We'll be posting the link there...





We've also decided to start our own "12 days of Christmas" and are going to be having all kinds of crazy sales- a new one each day! It's going to start in the next day or two to make sure everything gets to you in time for Christmas!

Not sure yet if we'll be sending out daily newsletters for this or not yet, but it'll be here and on twitter for sure, so come back daily for the latest greatest deal!

And don't forget about reviews on Wednesday!!!

-Brandon