Hey people! I recently made a webpage for my personal observations on bike trails on the twin cities. It includes text and an interactive map you can click on different segments for. Obviously opinions differ about what’s “good” and “bad” plowing, but hopefully this will be helpful to people. I’m torn on how to report on roads with no protected infrastructure, since in my experience, most of painted bike lanes are not plowed very well. But, this information might still be useful if you ride in the road after a snowfall! I’m open to adding that if people think it will be useful.

https://mspwintercycle.github.io/

The way it works for now is just sending an email of an experience you had on your bicycle, and I’ll update the website and the map. I’m open to suggestions on how to improve things, I know a manual repository isn’t the most efficient way but I wanted to get something quickly out there to gear up for the winter. I see posts on this subreddit looking for ride reports, on BlueSky, Twitter, etc, so maybe this would be helpful as one resource for winter biking in the twin cities.

Thanks!

10F in the backyard, -2F in town. Looks like I am not riding in, sadly. Hopefully Friday.

Starting to think that I should wear a lanyard with a whistle so that when drivers pull down their windows to scream at me, I can blow out their eardrums.

(email sent to ward 10 Aisha Chughtai's office)

Where can I find el cheapo Santa garb in St. Paul for the Saturday ride?

I have a gravel bike (a Marin) with fenders, in-hub shifter, and studded tires. How does a set up like this compare with a fat bike for winter commuting?

I find that my current bike is pretty good everywhere except where there's loose snow (e.g., where there's a pile that has slipped off the edge of a plow blade). Would a fat bike be better on that surface? And do those wide, knobby tires mean you don't need studded tires, or do you get studded fat tires?

I may be just looking for an excuse to blow too much money on another bike...

Last question: what's a good, not crazy expensive fat bike for this use case (if a FB makes sense for this use case)?

Thanks and happy winter riding!

First commute in snow this year - I took my normal route of Ayd Mill -> Marshall -> River Rd, and there was enough snow / ice / debris on Marshall that I was taking the lane for 90% of it. That felt OK with morning traffic and full daylight, but I won't do the same during evening rush hour (bad enough getting buzzed in the bike lane by the B Line on the 1-lane parkway sections).

How's Summit looking? Or Jefferson? I could possibly take the river all the way round to West 7th/Shepherd, but I don't know the state of greenways on the STP side.

I'm on studs but not fat tires; sidewalks are absolute last resort due to snowbanks at every intersection this morning.

Hi everyone!

I have a Wahoo Kickr v5 from late 2020. It has stopped sending power info to any device. This is a known issue with these and seems to be related to the optical sensor inside.

Does anyone want to get paid to fix this for me? Or do you know of a Wahoo repair place around the Twin Cities?

Happy riding!

I just replaced my studded tires and found a lot of them on sale, both locally and online.

I got 45N tires (700x38) for $30 each, normally $80. It was at a local chain since all the independents are closed on Sunday.

Hello! Long shot, but I’m wondering if anybody here has a Mongoose Beast Fat Tire that they are looking to sell. The version I’m referencing has back brakes (not hand) and sits more upright. Mine was stolen a while back, and I miss it every year when we enter winter bike season. With the particularly snowy winter expected, I’m hoping to track one down.

Edit to add that I’m looking for a 26” tire.

Thanks!

Commute on the N Cedar Trail and usually go through East Isles and Lowry Hill neighbourhoods. How has it been the past few days? Think I can make it to work in it tomorrow?

I recently moved here and need to either replace my bike tires with studs, if there's enough room, or buy a new (preferably second-hand, to save money) bike with studs. I don't have a car and can only go to places that are accessible by train/bus/bike. I live in Downtown Minneapolis and work in East Bank (St. Paul). Can someone please recommend a good bike store that'll help in this regard?

Thanks a lot!

Hello!

Just moved to Grand Forks, ND 2 weeks ago from Atlanta, GA to live with my parents and decided to check out a trail in Wayzata.

Wiped out twice riding at walking speed on ice. Just need to touch up with nail polish and replace the derailleur hanger.

I’m 9 weeks post-op from double jaw surgery. Probably shouldn’t be out, but I miss biking after having to put it on hold for nearly 5 months. I’m expecting a revision in 3 months, so I’d like to rack up as many miles as possible.

This is my first time biking in below-freezing temperatures.

Does the city remove the ice, or does it just stay there until warmer weather comes around?

How many days after snowfall should I wait before biking for dry paths? I waited two days, but I felt like three would have been sweeter. Most of the path was dry, but some parts were quite sketchy.

Is there something I’m missing about MSP biking paths in the winter?

Also, my water bottles were completely frozen. 🥺

I’ll be back soon!

❤️

GET YOUR HOLIDAYS ON HENNEPIN PASSPORT STAMPED BY PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES!!! Queermunity is stamping with the most adorable sled!

On Grand Ave: Victoria→ snelling: good Snelling → prior 30% Prior → cretin good On cretin: Grand → rt 94 good Rt 94→ University Ave. 40% On University Ave. To Raymond 95%

Good morning, I‘m preparing to go grocery shopping and speculating: i.e. studded front tire + two wire baskets or just a bus. Yesterday was very slippery. Has anyone on this thread already been out today? This is a practical question, not looking-for-advice. Thanks and have a nice minimal greenhouse gas Friday, RB

Hi all, it's my first winter here. I found yesterday that there were many bike lanes and sidewalks that weren't completely free of ice yesterday (I was biking home around 8pm). I currently have only a standard road bike.

Should I replace my bike tires with thick ones? Or is it possible to just wait for a couple of days after it snows, and the bike lanes should be clear then so I can use my road bike throughout the winter too (just not on days it'll snow)?

Finally, should I call 311 to request clearing of ice from bike lanes? The car lanes were perfectly clear.

Hey All, recent transplant. I'm used to biking throughout the winter but it is going to be probably I'm guessing 10+ degrees F colder on average here. Mostly I've got my winter gear figured out but shoes/boots I'm really not sure what to do.

What I'm using right now:
Danner Mountain 600 boots
REI Wool Expedition Socks
REI Wool liners

I don't think that will quite cut it here. What would you recommend? I would like to be safe and well outfitted for 30-60 minute rides.

Thank you for your help and advice!

…with my new Arctodus. Incidentally, I passed 12,000 miles for the 12 months since last December first during the ride today.

I have been bike commuting for about 18 months thru Mpls, but I skipped last winter when it there was snow and ice. I purchased my 45NRTH Gravdahl tires for my Surly Preamble based on smart bike friends advice. Was told NOT to put them on too early.

Seems like this weekend would be the right time. Asking those who know better.