Weather conditions update: Icy patches abound, freezes temps continue, more snow on the way

does PBOT post any info about bike routes that are maintained for winter conditions? I rode from NOPO to downtown for an 8 am doctor appt then to the CEID for work. Both the Larabee viaduct and Hawthorne viaduct had been de-iced, but ONLY in the motor vehicle lane, the bike lanes were a total mess. PBOT sent a link to this map showing which routes they maintain:
http://pdx.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=935da87d18d148d784d164adcb7218df&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
However, there is no mention that I could find that the routes are only for motor vehicles and not for bike lanes.

If you like to smile when you ride, keep your lips closed tight over your teeth and wear glasses or eye protection. We will be getting small rocks flying up in our face for the rest of the year from all the gravel that PBOT laid down on Monday.

The snow is gone in hours, but the gravel will be in the bike lanes for months or longer.

I hit black ice a few years ago, no fun – went down hard and kept sliding in traffic.

If it’s white and frosty, like many bike lanes in the morning at near freezing temps on dry days, you’ll probably stick (if your tires are leaving a trail in the frost).

Remaining snow from Monday that’s hiding in the shadows and has still not melted – could be any condition – the colder and drier it is, the crustier it will be.

Bridges and elevated paths – proceed with lots of caution.

For light snow, I like taking a Biketown bike when I can —the seat can be lowered easily, they have fat tires, and I don’t have to get slush and crud on *my* bike. And if it turned out that I misjudged conditions and they’re worse than expected, I can just lock it up and get on transit.

all those driveway intersections and undrained gutter locations in pained bike lanes that are frozen puddles (as shown in those photos above) – call PBOT and complain, tell them to fix the drainage in the bike lane.

Oh boy https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2019/02/a-major-snowstorm-will-hit-region.html

I attempted to ride in yesterday, but got as far as Jet Black coffee on NE Halsey and 111th, and decided to have a coffee and turn back. The ride itself was fine (I have studded tires), but I didn’t want to face rush hour traffic on that ice (particularly since NE Halsey and Weidler between 102 and 122 are such a huge mess right now – does anyone know when that is supposed to be done, BTW?).
I rode in today on my regular commuter (26″ rigid MTB), and was fine (if very cold).

I have opted to walk and use tri-met this week. This option works for me and adds an hour to my commute, but on the other hand I can get my 10,000 steps in!

I try not to ride if it is close to freezing* or it if looks like it might freeze during the time I have to commute. I have studded tires on my cross bike and it’s fun to cruise around on, but you still have to deal with traffic…

[*] I’m super careful now. Had a friend dump his bike at a very slow speed on wet leaves. In the crash the top of his femur was pushed up through his pelvis shattering it. He’s still walking with a cane years later… ::sadface:: Tempting fate by riding on ice is a young person’s game…

Here in my neck of the woods in central Jersey, last Friday it was 18 degrees Fahrenheit for my 11-mile commute home. Sitting in a warm office building I was getting worried: Am I going to be cold? Did I bring the right clothes? As always, though, once you are actually outside, the ride is a great stress reliever, and riding through the snowy landscapes, you feel grateful for the opportunity to commute by bike. My REI down jacket is amazingly good at keeping my upper body warm; combine that with triple layers on the bottom and two hats, and I am good to go.

A question: now that PDoT has chosen to use these wands / candlestick delineators…what is their maintenance protocol for clearing the snow (and then gravel) one a storm hits. I doubt they will be relying on men with green brooms like Paris uses (used) …or do the PBoT trucks just roll over the delineators?

Most danger I encountered over the last couple of days wasn’t snow or ice or the cold it was another cyclist blowing a stop sign when it was my right of way. I have no problem with people safely rolling through stop signs but at least look out for cross traffic before you do. Ladd’s Circle around 130pm (Weds), totally looking in one direction only. Yeah, you. Fuck you. Sorry, had to get that off my chest. Ride on.

How come no mention of Worst Day of the Year Ride cancelled because of weather? Everyone else is having a good laugh out of that one.

I don’t commute for work, but can only go a few days without cycling or I get grumpy. I considered indoor trainer but it’s just not the same. So I modify and shorten my regular route and stay flexible. Leif Erickson is good but bundle up. Easy to stay warm going up the challenge is coming back down without freezing. Also nothing quite like an evening Mt bike ride in the neighborhood on fresh snow to lift the spirits. But be safe, if its icy maybe it’s best to stay inside, watch cycling movies or plan the next adventure ride.

My bike commute from SW Portland to nearly Newberg on HW99 west was very good this morning. There was only one patch of ice from a weeping crack in the pavement in the bike lane near PCC Sylvania. Besides that there was no ice in the bike lanes or shoulders. It was around 23 degrees F near Sherwood but so dry that keeping warm was not an issue.