Long but interesting discussion of the scarcity of bicycle components effecting availability of bikes. Apparently, I was damn lucky to find one in a bike shop when I did. I notice that Trek has raised their prices twice this year. Not exactly endearing themselves to their customers, IMHO. On the other hand, maybe suppliers have increased prices in order to expand their production capacity.
Props to ANYONE that can maintain their balance on ice while riding a bicycle. Hitting ice was always a sure fire way for me to end up on the ground.
Wheels
That’s why they call you wheelsup and not bladesup 
Actually, I didn’t know this until watching the Fernwee video above, but apparently they make studded bicycle tires now.
This bridge nearly killed me one rainy afternoon over thirty years ago. You come aboard it pretty hot off a downhill slope. I learned pretty quick there is ZERO traction when it’s wet …
I USED to be into competitive cycling up until that day. I was demoralized and left with a huge bleeding gash in my right leg for my reward getting home. (I think that sign is new 
)
Man, that looks and sounds seriously painful.
I had a wet wooden bridge in Munich cause me similar grief, except that my skull was the first thing strike the bridge as I went down. Very thankful for the Specialized helmet design for that one.
OUCH!!!
Stupid rain LOL! I hit that bridge full tilt on dry days a number of times with no problem.
I was just thankful for all those metal barriers that prevented me from falling into the river.
To maintain your balance is rarely an issue when you are able to ride a bike almost every day and from a young age. Also no special tyres are needed; and your upright bike is helpfull.
These (skilled) kids take a shortcut via a frozen canal, with even somewhat snow…
A photo from the 1920s: a baker and a milkman cross each other on a frozen river:
In those days it was very common to use frozen lakes, ponds, canals and even rivers for commuting, deliveries, etc. by bike. These waterways were then frozen during a long period.
By the way, the transport/cargo bike that baker is using is this model:
From the scapbook: on the left, my grandfather on his Gazelle Tour Popular upright bike commuting in the 50s, and en route crossing a frozen river (he liked this short cut):
A 2nd photo from the 1920s: a pretty frozen river with ice floes…
Riding on snow covered or rough ice was always doable since there was some traction on those surfaces but clear smooth ice was something else entirely.
Wheels
@wheels. Last week when the snow came, there at first was some black ice. Walking, cycling and driving on black ice is actually impossible, however with a 2nd layer (snow), it was doable.
Today 'Black Ice Monday" has been predicted, with temperatures above zero and even Spring temperatures at the end of this week.
Winter will then be over?
People-centric infrastructure triggers true mass cycling:
in the 1930s:
…and in the 2020s:
Cops vs Cycling and Skating:
Every Dutch cop rides a bike is well-known, but they are familiar with skating too…
That is when the studded wheels save the day. Following photo is from one of my winter off-road trips, when there is no chance without studs:
Some additional winter and autumn scenes:
Headwinds aka horizontal hills:
The trick to walking on ice is to not reach ahead for the next step, and only place your foot down vertically. Without horizontal motion, you are less likely to slip. Hockey coaches are good at walking on ice.
Sort of a caricature marching step, yeah that works.
Studded tyres, snow chains and crampons help
@Scoop. For those few days a year with this kind of weather conditions, it’s not worth changing the tires. (And chain guards are common.) About gritting cycle lanes and streets, see the short vid below.
For daily use (and since many years) my wife and I have anti-leakage tyres from Schwalbe:
Two cops help a school kid with his flat tyre (next to a segregated cycle-lane):
A flat tyre, a peace of cake for girls…
You know your city’s priorities when the bike lanes are gritted before car lanes…
On Stage 6 of the Vuelta currently (spoilers):
Maybe an unpopular opinion - Roglic is sort of boring to watch. I know, I know…the guy is a machine…but I just don’t find myself excited watching him. I find myself missing some of the characters of the previous Grand Tours - Cavendish, Spartacus, Nibali, El Pistolero, the man of a million faces Thomas Voeckler. Thankfully we still have the hilarious Sagan and some others…but some of the flair seems to be missing this year. Of course, that might be the lack of spectators and all the craziness that accompanies the events…so it could be that perception clouding it a bit.
Anyway - nice ride by Iziguera (sp?) today must be cool to have a stage win in all three Grand Tours under your belt…a nice hat trick. Nice ride into the red jersey by Carapaz…
Am excited to see if Sepp Kuss develops into a GC rider eventually…
You forgot “shut up legs” Jens.
I’ve yet to see Kuss do a TT, but he certainly has the climbing chops to be a contender.
