Commute conundrums...but not really!

I'm slightly annoyed this morning by the weathermen in Reno.  They seem to be able to predict a storm, but only give or take 24 hours.  This prediction is limited only to the fact that the storm will occur and that snow will fall above 8000 ft....they are incapable of predicting if, when, and where the snow from the storm will fall below 8000 ft.

I only complain because when selecting a bike from the quiver, snow is important.  For example, yesterday I left the xtracycle (with fenders) at the office, opting to ride the mountain bike home.  This choice was made on the dire predictions for many inches of snow....even in the valley.  This choice was also made based on my traumatic commute on Monday, in fencer packing heavy snow and slush!  So this morning when I left the house I was properly situated on the mountain bike with 2.3 tires, no fenders to pack with snow, and low pressure tires!

The problem was the roads and weather looked like this...

Please note the beautiful sun and lack of snow.  Also note the streets are relatively wet, meaning fenders would be nice.

The river path looks even better.  Again, note the sun and lack of snow.

Not even wet!

So basically, I was forced to have a good time hopping a few curbs and cutting portions of the trail.  Totally fun and a nice change of pace on the morning ride!  So remember, never trust the weatherman and ride any bike you like!  Even when your not on the right bike it's still fun to ride and better than being in line on the entrance ramp to I-80!

Wintery Bicycle Path perfection.

Nothing special today.  Given the conditions yesterday, I was kinda thinking it might be an icy mess out there.  Really it wasn't too bad.  A little ice here and there but mostly just ice crystals on the roads with a few patches of "real" ice. 

The real news is the bike path was already plowed (again) within 24 hours!  Awesome job Reno parks department.  They seem to do a better job than the plow drivers on the streets....meaning they plow the path from edge to edge.  If the guys on the streets did this, the bike lanes wouldn't be boarder line unridable, due to the snow and large chucks of ice!

My 15 miles this morning.

This was my route this morning...

Please note their are no pictures, as I was pretty much holding on for dear life.

All told this was my normal commute along the river, continuing on to an early morning dentist appointment (about 15 miles, if I started the GPS properly).  Not sure if you looked outside this morning, but SNOW.  Don't get me wrong, I actually like riding when it snows (or rains for that matter).

The problem is, this was just the perfect combination of temperature for snow/slush.  This means snow and ice form perfectly inside the fenders when you ride in the soft snowy parts and eventually the bloody wheels just don't turn without some serious effort.  Turns out these conditions make up the entire bike path and most bike lanes where no traffic has used them.

The solution is to ride more in the lane and get into the slush zone.  The slush doesn't pack against the tires and riding involves a whole lot less friction.  This is a good thing.  The bad part is this means taking the lane.  A risky endeavor in Reno on a good day.  Again, SNOW.  People in Reno loose their minds when it snows.  I tried reasonably taking the lane, meaning just using the far right side.  Idiots continued to pass within inches of me in conditions where they could barely control their 2 ton cages.  This included a plow driver and a couple of NV Energy guys in huge trucks!

I finally took the center of the lane and things improved from a safety point of view but I bet they weren't happy with me.  Anyway that was my morning.  Oh, and I have a cavity....so I have to go back for a filling.

If you're as nuts as I am and still riding today, stay safe.

Aint it the truth!

I found these at the RTC workshop yesterday.  Now if only we can read both of them and view them from the other guys perspective!  It doesn't take much, just a little common courtesy, patients, and common sense.

RTC 4th and Prater Workshop.

Ok, I did advertise this a while back but I neglected to remind you all that it took place yesterday.  My bad, work was busy and there just wasn't time for a post.  RTC did a really nice job laying out the options and improvements that want to make along this corridor.  This was the second workshop on this project so they have already looked at and incorporated some public comments and options. 

I didn't snap any photos while I was there (sorry), but these are they types of ideas their looking at for the reconstruction.

Option one actually comes in 4 flavors including separated bike ways outside the "parkway" trees!  How very dutch.  They didn't have this on the flyers (just the posters) so you'll have to take my word for it.  Option two has 2 different configurations as well.  The public was give a chance to vote on which version they preferred.  When I left the option 1 configuration was leading by a wide margin.

RTC also had detailed poster board maps (like 10) that laid out all the problematic zones in the corridor, along with zones that represented likely opportunities for improvement.  It looks like they are really doing their homework on this.  They also have a signature page that you can sign to help show support for their TIGER grant application (federal program that distributes funds for this type of project).  This project will cost in the neighborhood of 12 million, so if you get a chance sign this!  These funds are really competitive and being able to demonstrate community support for projects definitely helps. 

Speaking of Hand Made....I need to build this!

The xtracycle certainly has plenty of rack space.  Lately, however, I've been feeling that space is just underutilized.  Now I have guidance! 

Might have to make mine hold bottles.....or a growler!

North American Hand Made Bicycle Show is next weekend!

It's just over the hill....you should really go!  Click on the image to go to the page.