DIY warming pads for mittens

While scouring The Internets for more useful carfree tips, we stumbled across a local hiking blog. We're are quickly learning that the most inovative carfree tricks, tips, and hacks are not labeled as such. Hiking tips are easily converted to town & city pedestrian use, so look for more links to simplehiker in the future.

Simplehiker points to a instructables post dead link on how to make microwavable rice heating pads.

However, the project seems pretty straight-forward: make a pouch, fill it with rice, put it in the microwave, then slide them into your mittens. We assume they can be reheated over and over. Without further guidence, we suggest testing the heat of the pad before sticking your hand in a hot mitten. This will work much better with a roomy pair of mittens than with gloves. Oh, and they are using dry rice, not cooked!

We stand by our theory that all you need to stay warm is a good pair of mittens and a Michigan beer. But this is a good DIY for those who haven't found the right mittens yet.

skis on the bus

We have unconfirmed reports from Ypsidixit that you can bring your x-countries skis with you on the bus*. Now that there is a little snow on the ground, this may actually come in handy. Note that they haven't added a ski rack or anything, but storing them under your seat appears to be acceptable.

"kudos to people who eschew snow-whining/excuses and instead embrace the beautiful snow and enjoy it."
Amen to that!

*your milage may vary, and is likely directly related to the friendliness of your greeting to the driver!

AANews round-up

Our housekeeping staff fell asleep at the wheel while the local rag covered a few items of interest to the carfree community.

Ridetrak
We mentioned this in December and January, so the News' announcement is a bit behind the times [insert your own snarky comment on "old media" here]. However, it is nice to find that riders are actually making use of this tool and that it seems to work for them (we were skeptical about the usability of this feature when it first came out).

a serious culture change
The biker banter that we've heard has been pretty positive about this article. Sure, it overlooks the dangers of cycling on the sidewalk, but at least the News is creating a discussion on the topic of road-sharing culture, right? The point of the article, that infrastructure alone will not encourage walking and biking, is a fair criticism.
However, instead of offering examples of other aspects of change, the editorial's advice dwindles at this point. They sum up by saying that, "We'll need a serious culture change, one in which bike riders are viewed as having a legitimate place on our roads." Yet they fail to identify any implementable goals or policies that might bring about this serious cultural change By the end of the article, we were left feeling hopeless about the future of NMT in Ann Arbor instead of inspired.
We also have a gripe with the over-played caveat they tack on that, "That respect cuts both ways, though - cyclists also need to respect the rules of the road, and too often that's not the case."
We're taking the hard line here. Unlawful traffic behavior by a few cyclists should not lead to a less safe environment for all cyclists. This line of argument seems to condone the flawed and dangerous concept of some motorists that cutting off cyclists, running them off the road, not giving sufficient clearance when passing, throwing garbage at bikers as they pass by is justified because some cyclists roll through stop signs or disobey other traffic laws. The News makes the mistake of equating a culture of law with a culture of respect and decency, and they completely disregard the "might is right" attitude that dominates interaction between large, heavy, and fast-moving automobiles with bicycles.

it's cold
AANews declares the recent temperature drop to be a sort of cosmic equalizing to make up for any joy Michiganders may have gotten out of a balmy December. This weather should be taken seriously by carfree folks. Especially those with kids, who lose body heat quickly. Stay warm and keep trips short or stop along the way to warm up. Of course the bus is usually a toasty option. And dress appropriately, as the article points out:

The CDC recommends that in extreme cold, adults and children should wear a hat; a scarf or knit mask to cover face and mouth; sleeves that are snug at the wrist; mittens (warmer than gloves); water-resistant coat and boots; and several layers of loose-fitting clothing.

They're warm, they're stylish, and they're statriotic. As we've said before, wear mittens and drink Michigan beer!

no amount of socks can save you from a windy city winter

Everybody with a bike blog seems to be talking about this Reuter's article today. In our continuing effort to stay abreast of the carfree topic de jour, we're posting it, too. It talks about winter bike commutes in Chicago, alternating between shocking the reader with the miserable conditions and dedicated rider of the windy city and then pointing out how easy winter bike commutes are.

For the most part, there's nothing particularly interesting or new here; it's just another "wow, people ride bikes in the winter" story. We will highlight the lead paragraph, though:

Four pairs of socks, and Jackson Potter's feet were still icy blocks.
Riding his bicycle to work one Chicago winter morning, high school teacher Potter was too cold to go on. He stopped at a laundromat and asked if the owner could spare any socks.
"He gave me about 10 pairs. I put on four pairs, and my feet were still numb when I got to school," Potter said.

Layering is an effective way to stay warm (and, eventually, cool) while cycling. But packing four pair of socks into your shoes only cuts off circulation. Especially when your feet are already cold, this will bring them to a numbing freeze in no time. Fluffiness, air pockets, and space to wiggle are the the keys to warm feet. If one pair of warm socks along with a thin liner sock is not keeping your feet warm, consider switching from shoes to insulated boots.

Also, check out the Reuters Poll/Ad to the right of the text: woman's backside from butt to knee, whith two voting options- Too Thin or Never Too Thin. WTF?

on ice storms and sidewalks: a Californian's perspective

Living Small posted her reflections on being introduced to the misery and wonder of Michigan winters on her walk to work. We always enjoy reading personal accounts of carfree life. This one gets extra points for the winter walking tip.

Tuck my pants into my boots? The indignity! But I was glad for this instruction when I stepped on what looked like solid ice and landed ankle-deep in dirty slush. David was puzzled about why I had stepped there -- to him, it was obviously not solid. "Give me a break," I replied, "I was raised in captivity!"

note: tucking pants into boots wil keep them dry until snow, ice, slush, or rain gets in the boot. This may work to protect nice pants on an easy walk, but keeping the pat leg out of the boot prevents the outdoor yuck from becoming in-boot sop.

volunteer for the worst day of the year ride

As part of continue series of winter bike events, the Worst Day of the Year Ride is coming up in a week (Jan 21). Organizers are seeking a few more volunteers to help at the registration table and valet bike parking. Contact erica@annarborchamber.org for more information.

The event includes rides of three lengths (40, 12, & 6 miles). Weather predictions suggest that while this has been a mild winter, precipitation and temperatures hovering right around freezing will help the ride live up to its moniker. To make it more fun, there will be prizes for costumes and for "The rider who can complete the ride with the largest stuffed animal tied to him/herself", because nothing is more fun than goofy looking cyclists dragging giant teddy bears through 40 miles of grimy road slush.
Seriously. We'd love to use that photo to advocate Ann Arbor as a cycling city.

the weather outside is frightful...

We've been keeping an eye on the weather report for Ann Arbor from our temporary home office in Bangkok, Thailand. It appears that a brisk Christmas walk through the crisp new-fallen snow is out again this year. weather.com is repeatedly advertising our Midwestern winter days as "a slushy accumulation of one inch or less."

So hopefully you can snuggle up to a fire that is so delightful for the next few days with friends and family and enjoy the holiday season despite the rain and slush. If there is a tip buried in this post, it is that sometimes the weather wins; trips out are dismal.

Yet we find that bad weather tends to relax most obligations to hurry around and get things done. These days can be considered a sort of "get out of jail free" card for all sort of obligations. If you can find an excuse to stay indoors and celebrate, do it. Before you know it the weather will break and you'll have missed your chance.

Merry Christmas!

contribute to survey of winter bike racks

Why do cyclists give up their bike commute in the winter? Well, it certainly couldn't be the weather. After all, we're Michiganders, right? We're used to the cold and look forward to the invigorating freshness of a winter morning, the snow crunching crisply under our wheels...

We have a sneaking suspicion that parking might play a role in deterring winter rides. We've seen a number of plowed-in, drifted-over, and otherwise unaccessible bike racks around A2 in the winter. The UM racks are some of the worst examples. We've seen bikes crumpled by the force of a plow that left a rack buried in a mountain of brown, salty snow. Unfortunately we can't prove it. So we're looking for descriptions and/or photos of winter bike racks around town and campus. Prove us wrong or back us up with your own stories and images. Send photos to cfa2@pedalsong.net or just post a comment here.

We don't have anything to give away as a prize for the best entry, but if we did, it would be mittens.

more on snowy sidewalks

We previously mentioned the snow removal requirements for the City of Ann Arbor. As we trudge our way through the cold season, it's worth referring back to that advice. WBWC has posted info on sidewalk shoveling requirements for all area governmental units.

In apparent agreement with our advice to make personal, friendly, and neighborly contact before filing official complaints, WBWC also is providing printable Sidewalk Clearing Reminders and Thank You Letters (both are PDFs).

Bike Winter events

Winter is, of course, the best time of the year for cycling in Ann Arbor. There's less tourist traffic, no blaring sun in your eyes, no oppressive summer heat & humidity, and no construction. The potholes are iced over, the air is crisp and the scenery is covered in a soft blanket of snowy goodness. It makes you wish spring would never come, doesn't it?

If you are humbugging the winter roads while you hoist your bike into the rafters for its annual hibernation, the getDowntown program is hoping to change your mind and turn you on to the joys of winter riding. They just announced the schedule for this year's Bike Winter events. They've organized a few winter workshops on maintenance, riding skills, and DIY bike lights. You can meet up with other winter riders for food and drinks at Friday night socials and ride in the "Worst Day of the Year Ride" on January 21.

We got this info from the getDowntown newsletter. This newsletter is quite informative and had some up-to-date carfree info that we hadn't seen elsewhere. It might be worth signing up to receive it by email. gDt also doesn't send a lot of extra announcements, so you don't have to worry about spam.

dressing for cold weather biking

Not sure why it took us so long to find the Commute By Bike blog. It's full of good informationfor commuters. More importantly, it is presented well. For example, the write-up on winter clothing breaks cold weather rides into temperature ranges, each with a picture of appropriate dress. Also, this write-up isn't thinly veiled product placement like so many similarly themed atricles in bike magazines. You probably have most of the stuff you need in your closet already.

Main points are standard: don't overdress, use layers, block the wind and stay dry.
As usual, there is a lot of good info in the comments section.

hauling with a sled

You are already struggling to lug a 40 pound bag of dog food home from the pet store. Now Old Man Winter is preparing to add extra obstacles to the effort. Or is he?

From another point of view, his generous, frozen hand offers a distinct advantage to heavy hauling. That heavy load that currently hangs off you body could also glide effortlessly over the snowy ground on a sled! The combination of snowy weather, winter recreation plastic technology, and a little DIY rigging to meet your needs makes winter the perfect time to haul heavy loads, and without over-heating in the process.

While we prefer the inexpensive and readily available red plastic sled, Kifaru offers what they claim to be the best sled made in America.


If you usually push a shopping cart home, this patent may someday develop into the solutions to your winter shopping woes.


This write-up on winter sled camping provides good info on building a camping sled. The suggestions are easily transferable to hauling a sled full of groceries, kids, or firewood around town. The best bit is the DIY harness made from an old backpack belt.

Ypsidixit on winter biking

Our favorite Ypsi cyclist, Ypsidixit, is toughening up and waxing poetic on her plans for her winter bike commute. She is fortunate to have the Gallup Park trail as a large section of that ride. This leads us to wonder how well-maintained that trail is in the winter. Anyone know?

internet round-up: winter shoe care

Winter weather requires a little extra attention to your footwear. To help out, here is a collection of advice on caring for your boots. They focus on leather, as it require the most care. Every one of these sites empahsizes that boots should dry at room temp as extra heat will dry out the leather, causing it to crack. Stuff them loosely with newspaper to expidite the process. Of course those with the practical sense to buy rubber boots can just rinse them, remove the linings to dry, and leave them at the door.

From the UK, the Guarian offers a compact list of shoe care hacks, like "If shoes pinch, smear Vaseline on the lining." (we haven't tested, and don't endorse that solution!)

girlawhirl offers a more recommendations, focusing on suede. A good tip: "Once the shoes are dry, if there are salt stains, mix a solution of 3 parts vinegar to 1 part water and dab it on the affected area."

womensweb lists similar tips at the very bottom of a long post on foot care. They advise to "allow all footwear to dry thoroughly before you put them on again."

Again, scroll to the bottom of this Boot FAQ for cleaning and care advice for hiking boots. The information transfers pretty well to any leather boot or shoe (noting that suede is a whole different animal, and not great for winter anyway). This one goes into depth on applying waterproofing.

winter boots

Winter walking requires decent shoes. As a pedestrian you've probably already realized the limitations of stilletos and treadless loafers in any significant journey. Traction, insulation, waterproofing, and stain resistance are all good qualities to look for in witer shoes. They don't have to be expensive, just comfortable and appropriate for the task at hand. That said, we find taht with shoes, you often get what you pay for.

We try to avoid consumer-oriented tips as we don't see getting around as a hobby on which to blow pocket money. If you've lived in Michigan for more than a year, you've likely already invested in some good winter boots. But if you are looking for some new footwear, you may as well get something that is good for the coming winter.

comfortableshoes.com is the online version of the Boulder-based Pedestrian Shops, a shoe store for pedestrians. You may well wonder what kind of shoe store isn't for pedestrians until you look over their boot selection, which is a great collection of comfortable, warm, and weather-proof footwear. They offer some stylish choices that are still practical for people who walk further than than car-to-door distances.

We'd like to list some more local shopping options for boots and would appreciate any recommendations from readers.

winter walking

A quick google search on winter walking gave some depressing results. Results focusing on safety issues are mingled with wonkish planning and engineering studies. On one hand, we are warned of the increased dangers facing the pedestrian who dares venture into this arctic obstacle course of icy sidewalks and cars that can't stop. On the other, solutions are presented in terms of public policy adjustments that take forever to implement and are of no help in preparing for your morning walk to work.

It appears that no one has come up with a list of helpful tips for winter urban walking that addresses anything other than safety. Perhaps it is appropriate to assume that people don't need advice on an activity that they've been doing since they were one or two years old. Still, we believe in the opportunity to improve ones carfree experience, and this includes being a pedestrian. Winter can be one of the nicest times to walk around town and tips from others might make it all the more enjoyable.

So here is (as best we can tell) the internets' first ever practical guide to winter walking. We'll probably expand on some of these ideas and add to the list as more tips come to mind. Feel free to contribute your own ideas and experiences via comments.

1. Dress appropriately
Winter weather requires a shift in wardrobe, but doesn't have to be drastic. Your not climbing K2. You're just walking to the co-op. Good footwear is key. Expect that your shoes will get wet and choose a pair that will keep your feet dry. Dress in layers (I know, you've heard that a million times) and use an outside layer that blocks the wind. Wind is way worse than cold. And wear a hat. Hoods are even better.

2. Watch where you walk
Keep an eye out for icy patches. Packed snow is actually a really good walking surface if it is flat and hasn't melted and refrozen. If you have decent footwear, walking off the sidewalk might be more comfortable.

3. Choose a good route
Consider which way the wind is blowing, where the sun is shining, and which neighbors are best about shoveling their sidewalk. The University is really good about clearing their sidewalks so use them if possible. Switching sides of the street can sometimes cut the wind, warm you with sunshine, and pretty much improve your whole day. Also be aware of big puddles in the road. Buses and big trucks can toss water well across the sidewalk.

4. Pick good street crossings
In our experience, about 90% of street puddles are found at crosswalks and bus stops. If you are waiting to cross, make sure you are well away from potential splashes. And don't feel obligated to trudge through or leap over swampy corners. Look to see if a mid-block crossing is easier.

5. Keep accessories accessable
If you are going to use a bus pass, mobile phone, coins, or utility knife during your trip, keep it somewhere that is easy to get at. Cold and/or covered fingers are not the most agile and pants pockets can be hard to get at if you are in a big winter coat. Stick that stuff in a coat pocket or, better yet, keep it in your mitten. You have mittens, right?

6. Wear mittens
Mittens are warmer than gloves and easier to take off and put on. When it gets REALLY cold, you can wear liner gloves, which make for more nimble fingers than regular gloves, underneath. You can keep stuff you don't want to lose in your hand in the mitten. You can drop stuff while wearing gloves and never notice it. Mittens are cool. Over-sized mittens with a seperate shell and liner are even cooler.
Besides, mittens are statriotic. Drink Michigan Beer & Wear Mittens.

to be continued...

shoveling the sidewalk

Winter is just around the corner, and with it comes the dreaded sidewalk obstruction, snow. We like the snow, both crunching under our feet and spilling off the side of a shovel. However we know many Ann Arborites who curse this chilling debris as the crystaline spite of Old Man Winter. Regardless of your personal appreciation of snow, we all have to deal with it for the next few months.

Ann Arbor requires that all all residents chip in to keep the sidewalks clear and safe throughout the winter. The city website points out that:

There is an ordinance regarding snow removal (violations can result in fines up to $1000) that identifies the responsibilities of citizens in removing snow from sidewalks. However, clearing snow and ice from sidewalks should simply be looked upon as a combination of courtesy and caring toward all those who need to use the public walkways.

All snow and ice should be removed from the entire width of the walk on a daily basis. The city provides a self-serve (bring bucket and shovel) supply of sand and salt at the maintenace yard at 721 N. Main. If you have a reasonably strong back or a snowblower, shoveling for the neighbor is a great community builder. We've heard that some OWS blocks have formalized the sharing of this task. It is also an excelent favor to trade for a ride!

Inevitably, winter walkers will come across sections of sidewalk that are not properly maintained. You can call the city at (734) 994-1788 to report violations. However, before you do, remember that if the city discovers a violation they will ticket all residences within 100 address numbers of the reported violation. There may be a perfectly good explanation for the lack of proper attention at the house in question or nearby residences. Official warnings and fines tend to piss people off more than improve their neighborliness. Making a friendly suggestion either in person or via post-it note might be a better initial contact. Chronic shovel procrastinators may require and deserve a more official and enforcement-backed reminder.

We'd be interested to here what success has come from those who have reported unkempt sidewalks.

rain gear waterbottle stash

A post on bikeforum mentioned waterproof pants that "roll up to the size of a water bottle." This gives us an idea for a convenient place to store emergency rain/slush/snow gear on our bike. Since water bottles are usually empty during the winter anyway, why not stash a cheap poncho and rain pants inside for unexpected bad weather?

We haven't actually tried this out, but it seems like it would work. Perfect for those of us who don't do so well planning ahead.

Other stuff that might fit in there:
-plastic shopping bags to protect valuables from unexpected showers
-spare tube or patch kit
-if the bottle has a wide mouth, you might be able to store your mobile phone or ipod inside (padding recommended).
-emergency hot chocolate/chicken soup money
-dry socks

bad weather biking internet round-up

In researching tips on commuting in the coming cold, we find that most information can already be found somewhere else. In fact, there has already been a lot of replication on this topic. We fully intend to recreate the wheel one more time on carfree ann arbor by posting some specific tips. In the meantime, here are a few winter biking drain traps in that series of tubes that we lovingly call the Internets.

As always, readers are encouraged to add their own favorites as a comment.

Pretty much every site that talks about winter cycling recommends ice bike as the authority on biking in bad weather. They cover clothing, equipment, technique, and pretty much everything you need to know. They also have a mailing list. To subscribe send an email with subject heading: "subscribe icebike [firstname] [lastname]" to listserv@listserv.heanet.ie

Kent Peterson posted text from his seminar on bad weather biking. Being from the Pacific Northwest, he provides lots of detail on dealing with rain, but doesn't address the snow and cold of a Michigan winter.

Bike Winter is a midwest celebration of all-season cycling including Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, and Ann Arbor. There are lots of good tips here. Our favorites include winter mods for kid trailers and thrifty winter clothing.

All Weather Sports offers more technical and advanced tips that are not geared toward commuting. But this site has ideas you probably won't find elsewhere.

Bike Forums has a popular winter cycling section with the usual plethera of creative and often contradictory advice that forums thrive on. See the farmer blow for a good example.

bike light basics

Riding after dark is safe and enjoyable, assuming you have the appropriate equipment. Lights and reflectors are the best way to stay visible when riding at night. Reflectors are nice because they are often built in to bikes and clothing, don’t require a power source, and are lightweight. However, reflectors also require an outside light source to be effective. If headlights are not shining on your reflectors (when approaching cars from the rear or side or when approaching pedestrians), they won’t help. Lights maintain visibility in these situations and can also allow the operator to see their surroundings better.

Two lights are adequate for night rides. Ann Arbor city code requires that any bicycle operated from ½ hour before sunset until ½ hour after sunrise have a functioning headlight and red rear reflector or light. Thanks to LED technology, both can be purchased cheaply and are easy to mount (and remove to prevent theft), lightweight, and require little power. LED lights are recommended because they are much cheaper and lighter than halogen lights. They are also often much brighter although the light is not focused, so they are better for being seen than for seeing.

LEDs also use much less energy, so batteries will last a long time. Generators remove the need for batteries altogether, though they provide less light than powerful rechargeable systems but more than the smaller halogens. Rim- or tire- driven generators are least expensive and easiest to install; hub generators are most efficient and reliable, but cost $150-$250 (including the cost of building a new wheel around the hub).

A front light is most important and legally required. It is usually mounted to the handlebars or to the rider’s head or helmet. Mounting to the rider instead of the bike makes it easy to direct the light in the direction the rider is looking. Some front lights also have a “halo” ring of light, which makes the cyclist more visible from the side. A decent front light will set you back $20-30.

Rear lights are required to be red. They are generally small, round and really cheap ($5-15). They can be mounted on the seat post, seat stays, or on your body with a clip. If you mount it on your body, make sure it is visible when you are in riding position.

Always make sure your lights are functioning and clean (dirt on the lens can drastically cut down on the effectiveness of the light) before setting out on a ride that will end in the dark. To avoid running out of power and fading lights on a ride, change batteries regularly. If you change them every time you do other basic maintenance (lube chain, refill tires, tighten cables) you will avoid batteries dying during the trip. Rechargeable are always a better option.

much of this info was taken with permission from WBWC carfree wiki.