BobbyG

Cleats or studded footwear are on my radar.

Before my first winter with studded tires I still was unsure about them, as I had no experience with them. I had mounted them and waited for icy conditions. The first Saturday with icy roads I rode the first half of one of my commute routes, gaining confidence with every new icy street.

After a long, steep icy climb I was sold except for stopping down-hill. As I stood astride my bike facing a steep downhill I was hoping, praying that I could come to a full stop on a steep icy downhill. I let my bike build a little speed and gingerly applied the brakes, slowing to a crawl. Then I released the brakes, building a little more speed and slowing again, confidence building back up.

With bated (and frosty) breath, I allowed the bike to build up speed again, even faster, and came to a perfectly drama-free full-stop on a steep icy downhill! I was elated! And then I put my foot down...

I didn't fall, but almost, as my foot slid on ice like a Zamboni before I lifted back onto a pedal and pulled up next to the curb.

I am now, careful not to place too much weight on my foot when stopped on an icy hill, but the smart thing would be to figure on some cramp-ons or something.