Modified Rules

That Ice is Even Slipperier Than it Looks
Bedford, Texas on February 3

According to ABC News, right now it's colder in Texas than Alaska. That's not really as dramatic as it sounds, since much of southern and coastal Alaska is really quite temperate and we've got it easy compared to almost any place north and east of us. What's more, ABC News is very Dallas-centric since the Super Bowl will be here thise weekend. Still, it's notable when Texas is colder than just about ANYWHERE. Tomorrow, I'm determined to do my first "Texas Icebike" commute. Since you only get to be a first-timer once, I thought I'd make a few pre-commute notes here based on my test rides, as well as influence from sites such as "Icebike." I call them "modified rules." My friends from northern climes may snicker, but in Texas, if you want to learn to icebike, you gotta do it whenever the chance arises. Besides, you Yankees have gotten my dander up!

It really isn't always true that "cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as the operators of vehicles." The statement contains a presumption that the cyclist and other vehicle operators are actually capable of acting as the operator of a vehicle, meaning to operate in a predictable fashion in accordance with the rules of the road. The last couple of days, I notice many of the four wheeled vehicles around here have been not been operated either predictably or in accordance with the rules of the road. I haven't seen any two-wheeled types (yes, the motorcyle meter reads zero). Our local newspeople and traffic reporters are besides themselves with joy. My test rides have convinced me that, while I might be able to do better, defensive cycling suggests I modify my operating methods somewhat.

Under modified rules, one does as well as one can. To start with, I plan to SLOW DOWN. Hitting black ice at 20mph on a bike can get real exciting and even at 10mph it can really hurt. In this regard, I am doing exactly what I'd do if I were driving the Land Rover and traction was marginal. Besides making it easier to avoid a skid, slowing down makes it more likely a successful stop can be accomplished. If nothing else, there's more time to contemplate the wall you are sliding towards than if you were going faster. There's another reason to slow down while cycling as well - you need more clothes. What? Well, when you're riding along energetically, you dress much lighter than you would if you were simply standing around in the cold. Down to freezing, I only wear a long-sleeve t shirt under my cycling jacket. Well, the downside of dressing lightly is that if something goes wrong, it gets real cold fairly quick. I plan to dress heavier than I would dress to ride to work on a cold day without ice. Simply put, things are more likely to go wrong when its slippery. So I'll slow down and dress a bit warmer.

Second, while riding along the roads locally, there will be nice dry stretches with pavement that's as good as anything you'd see when it's 110F out, and then there'll be sudden slick areas. These are most often near intersections for some reason. Maybe road ice is like moguls on ski runs. I don't know. In any event, when I hit these slick stretches I more or less forget about optimal lane position and try to avoid any sudden motions or any other action that would make the loss of adhesion even worse. Staying upright is a good outcome. I don't get picky about which wheel track I wind up in. I'm just happy to have the rubber still on the road when the sliding stops. The good news is the cyclist keeps a predictable course while sliding as long as he/she can stay upright and moving. Well, unless there's someone running alongside with a curling broom.

Rantwick's Mom Might Not Have Had THIS in Mind When She Warned Him About Parking Lots, But This is Typical

Third, at intersections, right or left turns sometimes simply won't happen on a bike. Even in the Land Rover, there's frequently a second or so of sliding in the middle of the turn before solid adhesion is regained. I've seen motorists panic when they slide in the turn. Texas drivers. On the bike, I've concluded I'll turn pedestrian and WALK through many intersections tomorrow. Even with that, I imagine I'll fall once or twice. I guess that means "the rightmost lane that serves my destination" will probably usually be the righthand through lane if I'm going straight or want to turn left. If I plan to make a right, I'll simply stop before the intersection and hoof it to the intersecting street. Still, falling down halfway through a left turn is not very predictable operation, while falling down in a crosswalk at least is less unexpected to any nearby motorists. They'll probably be sympathetic to the poor crazy cyclist attempting to walk his bike across the street. If I'm really lucky, I won't have to help any of them after they crush a street pole. I don't recall what fraction of cycling accidents involving cars are "cyclist falls down while making left turn and car slides across him," but I have no wish to be an exotic statistic.

Routing will also modify. My normal, preferred route to work is very direct. My route tomorrow will reflect the reality that many motorists that might overtake me will be unable to capably slow or stop, or make lane changes, whether partial or full. I have no wish to wind up like the pedestrian signal near work that a Chrysler PT Cruiser driver used to help him stop (before y'all berate the guy, know that the Hurst Police were having a nice chat with him about his stopping technique in a teaching opportunity). In short, I will prioritize streets where I know the motorists will fear to go, where I can avoid "must walk through intersections," and hills where I can get the uphill segment over by virtue of a short walk. Rear wheelspin seems SO inefficient!

Two Modifications Have Been Made for the Ice and Cold Weather

Equipment, too, has been modified. In the photo above, I have made two modifications to Buddy. One is unlike equipment on any of my other bikes. Can you ID them?

Gratuitous Bike Photo Irrelevant to the Rest of This Post

Oh, I almost forgot. While speaking of equipment, I'll also be bringing a different lock to work than normal. I checked today and the lock I leave at the bike rack at work is frozen and I couldn't get it apart. I was not pleased about that, but I'd REALLY have been grouchy if I arrived at work and found my lock wouldn't open.

Anyway, I'll see how all this works tomorrow. Being Texas, all this frozen stuff will be gone by Superbowl Sunday and I may have to wait for years for an opportunity for "Return of the Texas Icebike." In the meantime, to y'all in the central US and along the east coast. Know that I'll understand just a tiny bit what it's like to bike in an arctic apocalypse - and wait until tomorrow to say "I told you so." My pre-ride estimate is that the commute will take an hour instead of the more typical 34 minutes.