The snow from this past weekend’s dumping has significantly melted away; however, sneakily leaving some spots of ice in particular areas of the sidewalk and streets. With temperatures below freezing (today is -5°) it is not hard to imagine that this results in the formidable foe, black ice. Just in front of my local grocery store the other night I witnessed 3 consecutive wipe-outs on the same patch of iced over cross walk. Apparently, black ice is not discriminatory of your mode of transport as the first victim was a pedestrian, the next a biker, and the third atop a motor scooter.
It is definitely the season to change your tires. So many people are rushing to the auto shops here that the waiting list to get an appointment is months long, depending on where your snow tires are being stored since last season. Our appointment isn’t until the middle of December. It seems silly that a few shops hoard the business and sit on your tires when conditions outside are so dangerous. One would think that for maximum safety there would be an alternative and extra mechanics hired during snow season just like gift wrappers are hired pre-Christmas shopping season. In any event, we’re waiting in line like good drivers for our turn.
Meanwhile so many Dutch ride their bikes, even in the snow! Do they change their bike tires to snow bike tires I’m curious? With the number of stories of weather-related spills around my office, I am highly doubting so. If you are an avid biker and the snow doesn’t deter you, why not make your own studded snow tires here? If I needed to bike in the snow I would probably go as far as slipping two hand warmers under the bike seat cover to defrost the seat on chilly mornings. You turn the defrost on in your car, why not defrost the most important real estate on your bike?!
Brrr to all my readers and bikers! Be careful out there.
