WHAT BIKE DO I RIDE TODAY?

This is what I asked myself this morning when I looked out the window to see a coating of wet snow on the ground and road. I have two bikes set up for commuting: my winter bike with studded snow tires and my summer bike with relatively fast city tires. My summer bike is fine in wet snow/slush like this as long as the temperatures are above freezing... and I have full fenders so I stay pretty dry. However, if this stuff freezes to the asphalt, I will be riding on miles of black ice. That is when I want my winter bike outfitted with studded tires... it is awesome on ice.

I chose my summer bike - which turned out to be a good decision for this morning's ride. The tires cut right through the light covering of wet snow to the asphalt, and I didn't slip once. It was an easy ride. I'll find out later if I made the right choice for tonight. If it continues to rain/snow during the day, and drops below freezing before my ride home, it will be treacherous. I may have to hitch a ride home with a co-worker. On the other hand, if it stays above freezing, it will be just another wet but easy ride.

The picture above was my view this morning riding up a steep section on my ride to work in the morning. I have about 350 feet of ascent and 250 feet of descent on my way to work, and the opposite on my way home. Quite hilly for a 6-mile ride!

(Temps stayed in the mid 30s, so my evening ride was a breeze)