West Seattle snow: 2 two-wheeled tales

Last night, we published a sort of a tribute to The Great Walk Home, endured by dozens, maybe hundreds, who just gave up on trying to navigate the roads via bus or car on Monday night. It’s also been pointed out that bicycles beat the gridlock too. West Seattleite Eric Shalit, above, has published a review of the gear that helped (including studded snow tires). You can read about it here.

And here’s a great tale of biking it home to West Seattle that snowy night, published at the Seattle Times (WSB partner) site, written by Times transportation reporter Mike Lindblom. His hook: The bike he used to beat the gridlock is a wide-tire model previously ridden only in Hawaii! (Mike also reported major chunks of the 5-section “Why Can’t Seattle Handle Snow?” story that’s been getting a lot of traction.)

8 Replies to "West Seattle snow: 2 two-wheeled tales"

  • JEM November 24, 2010 (10:21 pm)

    I saw two bikes on my walk home Monday night, both mountain bikes, and they were doing great. Don’t know that I’d want to try it (I’m a fair weather rider) but it is an option!

  • Mark Ahlness November 25, 2010 (12:26 am)

    I managed to get to/from Arbor Heights Elementary on my bike Monday. You notice some different things from the usual, riding in ice/snow on 1 1/4″ tires – like the crown in the road. You want to be on it, on those deserted side streets :) Came across an interesting piece on bicycling in Copenhagen: http://www.copenhagenize.com/2010/11/copenhagen-cycling-in-snow.html Wonder if it’ll ever catch on here?

  • Jill November 25, 2010 (8:39 am)

    Ooh, and a commenter on the cycling-home/beach-bike story gave a link to studded tires, coooool. :) I only fantasized about riding that day. Fortunately I can work at home, so I chose that. Dang…

    Mark, thanks for that link, too!

  • morcaffeineplease November 25, 2010 (9:59 am)

    I left the bike home this week and walked to work(3 miles each way). Studded bike tires sound super awesome, but I bet it’s a heck of a cardio workout pedaling in that snow and ice. Maybe I’ll put them on Santa’s wish list. Major props for cycling in inclement weather, dood.

  • Al November 25, 2010 (10:08 am)

    I rode my Mtn bike home Monday (wasn’t going to attempt my street bike!) and it was the perfect commute choice for sure! I was dressed perfectly (snowboarders and skiiers don’t freeze – it’s the same concept of dressing properly for the activity) and was comfortable even when the wind picked up. I felt bad actually for all the people stuck once I got to the lower bridge and saw the bus jacknifed, knowing no one was going anywhere. The scale of the problem was revealed when I next looked down West Marginal and that too, was a parking lot. Was thanking my lucky stars that I ride a bike. And it wasn’t too slippery at all, just took it slow and easy, being super vigilant was the key. I now think it was my most fun commute I’ve ever done.

  • macs November 25, 2010 (10:23 am)

    I think we should also give a shoutout for the nice people that were out giving rides to those walking up and down Admiral. We got picked up by a super nice guy that gave us a ride to the bottom of the hill. Thanks to him, we made it home before 10pm. THANK YOU THANK YOU that last hill would have been miserable!!

  • Highland park resident November 26, 2010 (12:58 pm)

    The snow bike guy is a smug Seattleite. Good for you, going out in that weather and riding safely, but be sure you are in the very small minority that could manage it. Now do you feel superior?

    Riding a bike in the snow, even with studded tires, is DANGEROUS. Especially with the hills, ice, vehicles skidding, and people filling the sidewalks and streets.

    I’m just glad he didn’t get hurt, and also didn’t hurt someone else.

  • Al November 26, 2010 (5:04 pm)

    Highland, yes, it’s dangerous sometimes due to the other people out there not in control of their vehicles. But riding a bike is in itself not dangerous. And in no way was he trying to say that “everyone” should ride their bike now. It’s just another perspective about how to get around. And I rode my bike too – it was fast, easy, not dangerous so long as I was aware of my surroundings and fun. I wonder how many motor vehicle accidents there were vs bicycle accidents on Monday…..which was the more “dangerous” choice? Pedestrians were also walking in the streets and on the sidewalks as well with cars skidding around, were they in any less danger than those of us on a bicycle?

Sorry, comment time is over.