Riding in Snow

Snow riding is a blast! We get wads of the white stuff in SLC, UT. There are only a couple of trails in the foothills that are rideable, but the rest of the terrain is basically unrideable until May/June (sometimes July, if we get a good winter).

I can't get much traction if the snow is deeper than 3 inches. It's just slip-and-slide all the way up and down. However, there are some hardcore trail runners that will run on the foothill trails and pack it down. Before it turns to ice, it's totally rideworthy. After it turns to ice, it's rideable, but ride at your own risk.

I'm sure some folks reading this will ask: why would you want ride in the snow? Here are some answers for them:

1) improved fitness -- with the bike sliding in every direction you don't want it to go, it works your core muscles even more when you try to maintain your balance.

2) improved bike handling -- riding in snow is slippery, and causes you to adjust your weight more often to compensate for the slippage; also, it improves your ability to ride through loose, sandy stuff.

3) solitude -- there just aren't that many people who will go out on a bike in the snow.

4) bragging rights -- you are part of a small group of bad boys (and girls) that can take the cold temperatures and soaking bike shoes

5) displaying your dedication to cycling -- you are someone who loves riding more than just about anything. Other people may be playing hockey, skiing, or watching the game, but you are out there kicking ass and trying to stay upright for over a minute at a time.

I'm not sure what the winters are like in the VA-Piedmont, but if you get over 2-3 snowy months, you might want to invest in some studded tires. I am actually making a pair right now, since I have odd-sized tires/wheels. I'll keep you posted on how they turn out.

Keep on chooglin'!

James

Badger South said:

We received about 3 inches of snow last week on the central Va Piedmont, covering the bike trail
that I ride.

I managed to get out when the snow was first falling and it was nice, but not as nice as walking in
it; IOW, on the bike it's just like sleet, pelting your face.

The next day I went out and tried to ride, but alas, the top layer was slightly crunchy and grabbed
my knobby tires to the point where I just couldn't pedal. I had envisioned: knobby tires, a few
inches of snow, no problem, but experience varies.

Fortunately 1/3 of the trail is exposed to the sun, and had melted to slush, so I was able to make
about 8 repeats of that, getting in some exercise, but it just wasn't the same. I did manage to
bring home about 1/2 gallon of mud on my outer shorts and in my socks!

This is the 4th day out and of course I'll try again, but I'm always reminded that any day the
trail is good, I'm on it, no excuses, b/c nothings worse than wanting to ride and not being able.

Plus, it really messes up the training log! ;-)

-B

Drop $20 for some good full wrap fenders and keep riding. Crusty snow may be a problem, but slush
and water will be sooo minimized. Try it you will like it. I live on the wet coast of British
Columbia, and arouond here if you don't have fenders, then you aren't really a year round rider.
Best regards, Bernie

"jmcmillanut" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm sure some folks reading this will ask: why would you want ride in the snow? Here are some
answers for them:

www.icebike.com

P.S.

Nokian studded tires rock.

True dedication is a guy that I saw riding while I was walking in the big Massachusetts snow storm
this past weekend. He was on a cross bike, no fenders but all the lights on even though it was 2 in
the afternoon. I commented loudly as he passed that he was braver than I.

jmcmillanut said:

Snow riding is a blast! We get wads of the white stuff in SLC, UT. There are only a couple of
trails in the foothills that are rideable, but the rest of the terrain is basically unrideable
until May/June (sometimes July, if we get a good winter).

I can't get much traction if the snow is deeper than 3 inches. It's just slip-and-slide all the
way up and down. However, there are some hardcore trail runners that will run on the foothill
trails and pack it down. Before it turns to ice, it's totally rideworthy. After it turns to ice,
it's rideable, but ride at your own risk.

I'm sure some folks reading this will ask: why would you want ride in the snow? Here are some
answers for them:

1) improved fitness -- with the bike sliding in every direction you don't want it to go, it works
your core muscles even more when you try to maintain your balance.

2) improved bike handling -- riding in snow is slippery, and causes you
to adjust your weight more often to compensate for the slippage;
also, it improves your ability to ride through loose, sandy stuff.

3) solitude -- there just aren't that many people who will go out on a bike in the snow.

4) bragging rights -- you are part of a small group of bad boys (and girls) that can take the cold
temperatures and soaking bike shoes

5) displaying your dedication to cycling -- you are someone who loves riding more than just about
anything. Other people may be playing hockey, skiing, or watching the game, but you are out
there kicking ass and trying to stay upright for over a minute at a time.

I'm not sure what the winters are like in the VA-Piedmont, but if you get over 2-3 snowy months,
you might want to invest in some studded tires. I am actually making a pair right now, since I
have odd-sized tires/wheels. I'll keep you posted on how they turn out.

Keep on chooglin'!

James

--
[censored] Schoeller "][email hidden] schoeller.ne.client2.attbi.comschoeller.ne.client2.attbi.comOpen ↗

"[censored] Schoeller" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

True dedication is a guy that I saw riding while I was walking in the big Massachusetts snow storm
this past weekend. He was on a cross bike, no fenders but all the lights on even though it was 2
in the afternoon. I commented loudly as he passed that he was braver than I.

6 of us went out that Saturday to do our regular ride (approaching a 7 year unbroken streak). We had
6-8", temps in the 20's, winds 30+. It was actually a lot of fun. We had no mishaps, and everyone
seemed to enjoy themselves. I've spent the whole day outside in *much* more severe conditions,
skiing. I don't understand the reluctance to ride or the surprise at those who do, it's a perfectly
reasonable winter activity.

Hi all
Here's a picture of Peter and some of his group doing the ride:
trailwatch.netdec03crw.jpgOpen ↗
- Gary Smiley (Webmaster of the Charles River Wheelmen - crw.orgcrw.orgOpen ↗ )

Peter Cole said:

"[censored] Schoeller" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

True dedication is a guy that I saw riding while I was walking in the big Massachusetts snow
storm this past weekend. He was on a cross bike, no fenders but all the lights on even though it
was 2 in the afternoon. I commented loudly as he passed that he was braver than I.

6 of us went out that Saturday to do our regular ride (approaching a 7 year unbroken streak). We
had 6-8", temps in the 20's, winds 30+. It was actually a lot of fun. We had no mishaps, and
everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. I've spent the whole day outside in *much* more severe
conditions, skiing. I don't understand the reluctance to ride or the surprise at those who do,
it's a perfectly reasonable winter activity.

Peter Cole said:

"[censored] Schoeller" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

True dedication is a guy that I saw riding while I was walking in the big Massachusetts snow
storm this past weekend. He was on a cross bike, no fenders but all the lights on even though it
was 2 in the afternoon. I commented loudly as he passed that he was braver than I.

6 of us went out that Saturday to do our regular ride (approaching a 7 year unbroken streak). We
had 6-8", temps in the 20's, winds 30+. It was actually a lot of fun. We had no mishaps, and
everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. I've spent the whole day outside in *much* more severe
conditions, skiing. I don't understand the reluctance to ride or the surprise at those who do,
it's a perfectly reasonable winter activity.

I was not totally surprised. A friend mentioned that there was a very long running ride that was
probably out. Sounds like it must have been your group. The guy that I saw was riding down Central
Ave in Needham on a bike with drop bars and much skinnier tires than any in the picture of your
group. I'm pretty sure his was a standard cross bike except for the lights.

I might actually have tried riding on Saturday but my only bike has 23mm slicks on it. I spend
long periods of time out in that kind of weather too, but I'm not too fond of playing bumper cars
with plows.

--
[censored] Schoeller "][email hidden] schoeller.ne.client2.attbi.comschoeller.ne.client2.attbi.comOpen ↗
781.449.5476

In article <ONiCb.316942$Dw6.1084228@attbi_s02>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

6 of us went out that Saturday to do our regular ride (approaching a 7 year unbroken streak). We
had 6-8", temps in the 20's, winds 30+. It was actually a lot of fun. We had no mishaps, and
everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. I've spent the whole day outside in *much* more severe
conditions, skiing. I don't understand the reluctance to ride or the surprise at those who do, it's
a perfectly reasonable winter activity.

I don't do it that much simply because the cleanup afterwards is a PITA. When I have been out in the
snow, it has been a lot of fun.
-------------
Alex

On Fri, 12 Dec 2003 21:42:50 GMT, Gary Smiley <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Hi all Here's a picture of Peter and some of his group doing the ride:
trailwatch.netdec03crw.jpgOpen ↗
- Gary Smiley (Webmaster of the Charles River Wheelmen - crw.orgcrw.orgOpen ↗ )

The guy on the right appears to have a 90cm frame and a body to fit it.

At least none of them are riding 23c slicks on the highway shoulder with a foot of snow.
--
Rick Onanian

Rick Onanian <[email hidden]> wrote:
: At least none of them are riding 23c slicks on the highway shoulder with a foot of snow.

that would be me. i use lights, tho.
--
david reuteler [email hidden]

On 12 Dec 2003 22:54:25 GMT, David Reuteler <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Rick Onanian <[email hidden]> wrote:
: At least none of them are riding 23c slicks on the highway shoulder with a foot of snow.

that would be me. i use lights, tho.

Nope...the guy I saw was stealth, at night too.

Do you _really_ ride 23c _slicks_ in snow higher than your BB? How do you do it?

I'm imagining a ski under the front wheel and a trainer with a tread under it...
--
Rick Onanian

"Gary Smiley" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi all Here's a picture of Peter and some of his group doing the ride:
trailwatch.netdec03crw.jpgOpen ↗

Peter Cole said:

6 of us went out that Saturday to do our regular ride (approaching a 7

year

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

unbroken streak). We had 6-8", temps in the 20's, winds 30+. It was

actually a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

lot of fun. We had no mishaps, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

I've

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

spent the whole day outside in *much* more severe conditions, skiing. I

don't

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

understand the reluctance to ride or the surprise at those who do, it's

a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

perfectly reasonable winter activity.

More proof that it's not so much bad weather, as inadequate preparation. From the picture, you seem
to be well prepared for the weather, except for the fact that you have 5 people and 4 bikes.

Rick Onanian <[email hidden]> wrote:
: Do you _really_ ride 23c _slicks_ in snow higher than your BB? How do you do it?

i have really done it. i swear it doesn't make too much difference esp. if the snow is new and there
is asphalt underneath. good balance helps, too.
--
david reuteler [email hidden]

"[censored] Schoeller" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I might actually have tried riding on Saturday but my only bike has 23mm slicks on it. I spend
long periods of time out in that kind of weather too, but I'm not too fond of playing bumper cars
with plows.

I leave my fixed gear with studded tires on it all winter, they're deep treaded, 35 mm tires with
106 carbide studs. The studs hook up with ice, the treads with snow, they'll handle almost anything,
but at 2 lb each, they're a bear to roll.

Snow plows are an issue, we keep an eye out for them coming up behind and pull over & stop to let
them go by. Meeting them isn't too frequent an occurrence.

"Rick Onanian" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Gary Smiley said:

Hi all Here's a picture of Peter and some of his group doing the ride:
trailwatch.netdec03crw.jpgOpen ↗
- Gary Smiley (Webmaster of the Charles River Wheelmen -

crw.orgcrw.orgOpen ↗ )

Quoted message said:

The guy on the right appears to have a 90cm frame and a body to fit it.

That's me. The bike is only 68 cm, I'm only 210 cm (6'10"😉. The rest of the guys are actually
average size.

"Mike Kruger" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Gary Smiley" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi all Here's a picture of Peter and some of his group doing the ride:
trailwatch.netdec03crw.jpgOpen ↗

Quoted message said:

More proof that it's not so much bad weather, as inadequate preparation. From the picture, you
seem to be well prepared for the weather, except for the fact that you have 5 people and 4 bikes.

Yeah, he was screwing around in the parking lot and his bike wasn't ready, so we rode off without
him, he was still whining about it this morning. I think he was ambivalent about riding, he crashed
twice last year on ice, resulting in a broken rib and collarbone, respectively. I still can't get
him to try studded tires.

"Alex Rodriguez" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

In article <ONiCb.316942$Dw6.1084228@attbi_s02>, [email hidden] says...

I don't do it that much simply because the cleanup afterwards is a PITA. When I have been out in
the snow, it has been a lot of fun.

It definitely helps to have a beater "ice bike".

Peter Cole said:

That's me. The bike is only 68 cm, I'm only 210 cm (6'10"😉. The rest of the

"only"?

<G>
--
Rick Onanian

"[censored] Schoeller" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

True dedication is a guy that I saw riding while I was walking in the big Massachusetts snow storm
this past weekend. He was on a cross bike, no fenders but all the lights on even though it was 2
in the afternoon. I commented loudly as he passed that he was braver than I.

Quoted message said:

jmcmillanut said:

Snow riding is a blast! We get wads of the white stuff in SLC, UT. There are only a couple of
trails in the foothills that are rideable, but the rest of the terrain is basically unrideable
until May/June (sometimes July, if we get a good winter).

I can't get much traction if the snow is deeper than 3 inches. It's just slip-and-slide all the
way up and down. However, there are some hardcore trail runners that will run on the foothill
trails and pack it down. Before it turns to ice, it's totally rideworthy. After it turns to ice,
it's rideable, but ride at your own risk.

I'm sure some folks reading this will ask: why would you want ride in the snow? Here are some
answers for them:

1) improved fitness -- with the bike sliding in every direction you don't want it to go, it
works your core muscles even more when you try to maintain your balance.

2) improved bike handling -- riding in snow is slippery, and causes you
to adjust your weight more often to compensate for the slippage;
also, it improves your ability to ride through loose, sandy stuff.

3) solitude -- there just aren't that many people who will go out on a bike in the snow.

4) bragging rights -- you are part of a small group of bad boys (and girls) that can take the
cold temperatures and soaking bike shoes

5) displaying your dedication to cycling -- you are someone who loves riding more than just
about anything. Other people may be playing hockey, skiing, or watching the game, but you are
out there kicking ass and trying to stay upright for over a minute at a time.

I'm not sure what the winters are like in the VA-Piedmont, but if you get over 2-3 snowy months,
you might want to invest in some studded tires. I am actually making a pair right now, since I
have odd-sized tires/wheels. I'll keep you posted on how they turn out.

Here in the mountains of southwest VA it's rare to have more than 2-3 snowy days at a time. By that
time the roads are usually clear. As far as trails go, it depends on the winter. There can be snow
for several weeks in some winters, hardly any in others.

One thing I'd like to try is the rail trails w/snow. It would be safer than real mountain biking,
good fitness riding, very scenic, and great fun.

I enjoy riding in snow. I always go out in it. In southern CA, the highlight of my biking year was
riding to the top of Santiago Peak when there was snow on it. After awhile I forgot all about
skiing, to go biking in winter instead.

We're having a snowstorm right now, with rain/sleet too. 2-3 inches of mixed frozen stuff so far.
The roads will probably be pretty bad in the morning, but I'm looking forward to taking the bike
into town.

I play it safe and take the mountain bike when the roads are not clear. The fatter tires obviously
help, but the front suspension helps keep the front wheel hooked up too. It's also much easier (ie,
possible) to recover from slides. Actually I feel pretty safe on the mountain bike in almost any
conditions, as long as I'm prudent about speed. At some point I start to worry about cars sliding
around though.

Matt O.