A word on bike riding in winter in NYC

I started a new job recently, which is in Great Neck, on Long Island. Because I live in Astoria in Queens, I have to catch the subway train to the Long Island train to get to work. I recently decided it would be a good idea to save the 4 bucks a day it costs to ride the subway (round trip), and ride my bike to the LIRR stop on Woodside Ave, a savings of about 20 dollars a week. Sounds like a great idea. And in truth, is still a good one. The only problem I've encountered is the New York winter. It's cold. And I don't mind being cold, but it's wet, too.

Day 1:
9a.m. sunny, but cold (read, wear lots of clothes). ride bike to train station, lock bike up, go to work.

11 p.m. overcast (still cold).

2 p.m. snow.

7 p.m. freezing rain.

10 p.m. windy, but clear. bike frozen to fence. icicles dangling from various parts of bike. Spend 10 minutes in bitter cold just to get lock thawed enough to unlock bike. Parts of bike frozen in place (brakes, pedals, etc.). Carry upstairs and ride subway home, bike begins melting all over floor of subway train. Pick up free copy of The Village Voice. Allow to drip dry on The Voice in kitchen.

Day 2:
10:30 a.m. sunny, but cold. ride bike to train station. realize there's a new danger in sheets of ice flying from the roofs of passing cars. consider helmet option. arrive at train station, find new, more sheltered location in which to lock up bike.

11 p.m. leave work. light snow. feel proud and happy knowing bike is staying dry, out of weather.

12 a.m. depart for home from train station. thrilled to be doing something new. riding in snow. realize that stinging sensation on my face is indeed, not jack frost nipping at my nose, but the feeling of rock salt spewing forth from the rear tires of passing cars.

Day 3:
2 p.m. sleet and freezing rain. ride subway to train station. keep bike in house until weather improves.