dispatch #16: DIY studded tires (bicycle)

Last winter, we had an interesting weather situation for the normally rather temperate PNW.

It was cold, then it rained. Then it froze, covering everything in ice. Then it snowed. Then it rained a little. Then it froze again.

The result was a real hazard for biking as I learned via several interesting, if not entirely unexpected, spills. Snow isn't too bad & actually provides a fair amount of traction if you can keep moving @ a steady pace. It wasn't fast, but it was faster than walking, skiing (on level ground—more on downhill below), & driving in many situations.

The real trouble is the layer of ice below the snow. I cannot describe the amazing lack of friction; it was simply incredible. Riding down the center of the road to avoid the crown was the only way not to end up bumping into parked cars, the curbing, or simply lying in the gutter, all of which I did @least once. Knobby tires (like those cycloX ones) might be better, but will they fit my rims, forks, & old side-pull brake calipers? I don't know & everything was either closed or not worth the trouble.

I ended up studding my front wheel (an old road tire, lined with a cut-up old inner-tube) with about 80 steel 3/32" #6 pan head screws. It took about half an hour not counting a trip to Beaumont Hardware & wrestling the tire onto my crappy rim (which is never easy).

There was a noticeable increase in traction, especially on the icy spots, which was my focus. I still had to be pretty careful; turning slowly, anticipating stopping, choosing routes, but I wasn't falling anymore!* Moms with good ice shoes & jogging strollers were faster, but I wasn't huffing & puffing & sweaty when I got to the market or work.

On steeper downhills (I live @ the top of the Alameda ridge on Skidmore), I figured out how to "ski" seated, feet down (my feet don't reach the ground while I'm in the saddle), rear brake on full, front brake as needed for slowing (I really couldn't stop & not end up laying on the ground).

Also, I couldn't go uphill @ all, which is mainly why I'd do the rear, though it would probably help with the over-steer, sliding out, spinning out, & generally slow take-offs. If it freezes this winter, I'll probably do the rear.



*I did fall once more after studding the tire but this was due to my own stupidity, ignorance, bravado, whatever you want to call it... It was the worst fall: I took a corner @ normal wet-pavement road-speed & hit an unexpected patch of ice. It was late @ night & there was no traffic to worry about. This was a relief as I 360'd on my pedal, hip, & elbow in the middle of the street. Unfortunately (I think), by the time I hit the ground, I had moved off the ice & back onto clean asphalt where there was plenty of friction. I got a bruise on my hip. I think my side (elbow & hip mostly) was sore for a couple of weeks & I didn't feel like pedaling much. Plus, it was cold.


[PHOTO CAPTION] With about a foot of snow covered by a 1/4" layer of low-density ice (frozen snow?) the cats couldn't walk outside without crunching up to their chins & getting stuck, unable to touch the ground. Pretty funny stuff. Ave, however, discovered for himself how to distribute his body weight over a large enough area to not break the crust. This is the kind of person I'd like to have around when things get critical; sharp, quick, & creative.