cycling spokane forum

I am new to Spokane and was wondering if its possible to ride during the winter.  Are the roads plowed well enough...or is all the snow just pushed into the bike lane?  I know its dangerous riding because of ice and limited visiblity, but I still want to get outside.  Thanks.  

If it snows heavily (like last winter) the roads don't get plowed well, and the city does tend to plow snow into the bike lanes instead of trying to keep them clear.

You're not required to stay in the bike lane, especially if it's heaped with snow.  Spokane drivers may not be aware of that, however.

Maybe we'll get lucky and have less snow this winter.

 - Ventura 

 Possible, yes. Whether it's advisable depends on a lot of things.

 Spokane's snow removal procedure consists basically of letting cars pack the snow into a sheet of ice and then blowing de-icer all over it until it melts. Trails don't get plowed, and bike lanes will be completely unusable if there's any accumulation at all. Arterials will be a rutty, slushy, sloppy, crappy mess for the most part. 

I commuted daily through last winter, but I ride down Howard from the North Side, which is relatively flat, low-traffic and has lots of room for error. There were times when the downtown streets were so rutted with ice that I just walked instead. 

If you're just riding occasionlly/recreationally, I'd make sure you've got something with knobbies and head out on the side streets right after the snow falls. There are few things that beat rolling through fresh powder at night.

Also, keep an eye on the FBC blog and this site for group rides throughout the winter. We had a lot of fun last year despite (or perhaps because of) the conditions. Huevos Rancheros, anyone?

 Hellz yeah Ken.  I'm looking forward to the Fiascoes and my commute down and up the hill.  Is that weird?

Huevos Rancheros sounds like a great idea.  Let's make sure we put that ride together more than once this winter.

we did a few heuvos rides last year. i can think of at least 3!

i think the crieria are: less than 30F or snow or both. sat morning ride up north.

 I guess I just missed those.