Thanks to Dan Korn for taking these notes at the 2011 Bike Winter Kick Off Meeting. Below you will find tips from veterans, in no particular order.

Bike Winter Kick Off Workshop
September 22, 2011
Billy Goat Inn West

=== Introductions and tips ===

50-plus hardy souls. Tips:
- When do you put your bike away for winter?  NEVER!  Well, really it's
about your comfort level, which we hope to expand.
- Keep a log of what you wear and how well it works.  It's actually
better to underdress than overdress.
- Be careful and slow down on the turns.
- Stay away from metal surfaces and potholes, especially metal grated
bridges.  Slow down or walk your bike if you need to.
- Get some eye protection.  Ski goggles or even cheap safety glasses
work well.
- For your feet, try galoshes or "Mickey Mouse boots" which are
oversized.  Bob's has rubber-bottom boots like fishermen use.  Don't
constrict your feet too much.  Wear wool or Smart Wool.  Try Hot Snaps.
- Use transit with your bike.  The buses all have bike racks, and CTA
trains allow bikes most hours.  Make eye contact with the bus driver.
- Keep your tire pressure lower than in the summer.
- Use your back brakes for more stability.
- Lower your seat a little so you can bail out easier.
- Practice skid-outs in a safe place.
- Follow the tracks of the cars.
- Stay off the lakefront path.
- Bus routes get cleared faster.  You might be able to take larger
arterial streets in the winter that you wouldn't ride in summer.
- It's only snowy for a small percentage of winter days.  And snow gets
cleared quickly in Chicago.
- Use old plastic bags in your shoes or boots, over your socks.
- Pick up your bike and drop it after riding to knock off snow and salt.
- Take advantage of open shops at West Town Bikes, Rapid Transit, and
other shops.  Support your LBS in the winter!
- Check hardware and camping stores and sites for cheap gear.
- Try a glove-mitten combo.  Mittens and lobster gloves keep your
fingers warmer.
- Studded tires.
- Get fenders!
- Lights, lights, lights!
- Live close to work, work close to home.
- Beware of large puddles and black ice.  You don't know how deep a
puddle might be.
- Try Cat Crap (brand) on your glasses to avoid fog.  Gel toothpaste
works too.
- Be careful on a fixed gear.  Although you have better feel for your
back tire.
- Carry an extra raincoat.
- Cheap Walgreen's gloves for a dollar.
- Rain pants for snow and cold.
- Try Pogies or Moose Mitts on your handlebars.
- Watch out for wet leaves.
- Be visible!  If you look crazy, at least you're getting noticed.

== Sticker unveiling ==

And the winner is...  "Hold onto your nuts" by Joe Soule
http://tinyurl.com/3todbqh

The meeting pretty much ended here and broke up into small discussions.


Thanks to Gin, Howard, Lowell, and the rest of you nuts!

Faithfully submitted,
Dan Korn
Bike Winter Secretary du jour / Senior Dreidel