A week ago, the northeast was the victim of a brutal snowstorm that buried parts of New England under up to 21" of snow. Heavy, wet, tree snapping, power killing snow. Now, not only did this put all but the most dedicated hard men inside due to precipitation and frigid temperatures, it's raised the spectre of "winter roads." You see, now that winter has reared it's ugly head, we're left with roads covered in salt, cinders, leaves, branches and other debris. Staying safe on "winter roads" can be fraught with proverbial potholes, so here's a few tips to make the ride smoother (and safer.)
Stay alert
There are more hazards than usual on winter roads; water and ice can present a crashing danger, snow piles narrow the shoulder and obscure drivers' vision, leaves, twigs, cinders and salt can cause flats (or disguise things like glass) and can damage drivetrain components. The most important thing you can do to keep yourself safe involves staying alert to the road ahead and the people around you. Allow extra stopping distance and be prepared to evasive action as road surfaces can drastically change.
If it's wet assume it's ice
An old saying that I harken back to my driver's ed days, and Mr. Poppy…."If the road is wet, assume it's ice, not just water." This is sage advice when caged inside the shell of an automobile, but can be a lifesaver on a bike. Keep in mind that water on roads can freeze, especially if it happens to be on a shady spot in the road. Any time you see a patch of darker pavement that could indicate possible water/ice, scrub a bit of speed, keep your eyes ahead and stay loose. This goes doubly if you have a shaded, wet turn coming up. Scrub a little speed and tread gingerly, and you'll generally come through unscathed.
make yourself visible
When snowplows pile dirty, gritty snow at the side of the road, they often don't clear the entire shoulder. Even if they do clear the shoulder, there is often a large amount of debris in the shoulder as a result of sanding/salting (or if you're riding in more rural areas, you may find gravel, dirt and chunks of road from where unpaved surfaces are scraped by a snow plow blade.) If you're being squeezed on the shoulder, move to the left of the white line and take part of the lane. This will make you more visible and will make drivers have to execute a proper pass in order to get by you (while it sounds selfish, forcing a proper pass prevents you from being squeezed dangerously into the snow and off the road.) Keep in mind too, when that blanket of white falls, motorists will generally be less likely to see you. Wear loud, contrasting colors that stand out from the landscape and take special precaution in areas where snow drifts obscure visibility (especially around corners when pulling out of side roads.)
avoid roadside debris
While this should go without saying, it becomes doubly important on winterized roads. Why? Salt glitters in the sun much like glass. Is it glass or is it salt? Don't run over it to find out; give it a wide berth. This doesn't even speak to the fact that salt isn't terribly good for your drivetrain components…
In addition to salt/glass, you'll typically find a lot of cinders on the road. While they make the surface grippy for thick, wide car tires, they can shred a bike tire in a single ride, and leave you with multiple flats, so avoid them at all costs. (It should be noted that wet tires tend to pick up and "hold on to" things like cinders much more readily, so try to keep your tires dry.) Lastly, any leaves/sticks/branches that have come down in previous storms may have been plowed to the side of the road, presenting a flat and crash hazard. Avoid wet leaves like the plague to prevent finding yourself on the pavement and stay clear of sticks and branches unless you enjoy patching pinch flatted tubes.
Following a few simple tips such as those outlined above can not only make your winter rides tolerable, but they can be safe and even fun. Keeping a level head and being prepared for what's out there is 90% of the battle, and now you have the ammunition to win the war (and enjoy a lot more time outdoors.)
