I stayed home yesterday and cleared the snow/slush from around the bikes and my block. The temperature was above freezing all day with bits of sun and wind to help dry the roads.
This morning was a very pleasant ride to work at 34°F. The roads to work were dry with an occasional spot of wet which I avoided easy enough in case they were ice. I know many of you have mentioned you don't ride in the cold at all and a couple have jabbed me about my own riding in temperatures at or below freezing. (Thanks for your concern, I do appreciate it). Any area of the road could be iced over which is the main hazard I suspect; at least that is what seems to be talked about the most.
One hazard of riding after a snow that doesn't get mentioned often on the bike forums is snow atop the cagers on the highways. This morning, I had that premonition to be extra careful about that exact thing. I was in the left lane on Brahma passing a few cars here and there. 4 miles before my left exit off the HOV lanes, a slower car pulls in front of me. At first, I thought I would just slow down and not pass them on their right. But atop their car was a sheet of ice/snow about 2" thick. I indicated to move right to pass them and as I crossed the lane line, the ice blew off the top of the car. It was truly magnificent! The sheet maintained most of its integrity as it took flight with only a couple of small pieces going astray. It flipped once and crashed into the highway with a brilliant shattering of ice right next to my leg.
I may have had a different opinion of the incident had I not moved over before it happened... Watch for flying ice folks...
). An all around good time.
