Snow Riding: Some things to think about…

This topic has 17 replies, 13 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 3 months ago by Rod Smith.

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 17 total)

1 2 →

Author

Posts
January 24, 2013 at 3:40 pm #960739

jrenaut
Participant

6) It is not a good idea to photograph yourself while riding through the snow in the dark.

January 24, 2013 at 3:43 pm #960742

consularrider
Participant

@jrenaut 41513 wrote:

6) It is not a good idea to photograph yourself while riding through the snow in the dark.

Especially holding the camera up over your head with both hands to take a picture of your face, whoooooops, bang, thud.

January 24, 2013 at 3:50 pm #960744

KelOnWheels
Participant

[ATTACH=CONFIG]2321[/ATTACH]

January 24, 2013 at 3:51 pm #960745

Dirt
Participant

I guess #6 qualifies as “Don’t try this at home”.

January 24, 2013 at 3:54 pm #960746

Greenbelt
Participant

[video=vimeo;58108378]https://vimeo.com/58108378[/video]

PS. Presuming it snows a couple more inches on Friday, we’re doing a group snow/lunch ride Saturday morning at 10am on the local trails, if you’re in the College Park area!

Snow ride, Saturday morning at 10am (presuming it snows some more on Friday night!) I’m thinking if this basic route with perhaps some secret off-road detours along the way! Bring fat (or at least CX) tires! http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2090123

January 25, 2013 at 2:47 am #960849

Bilsko
Participant

#7 – While riding home this afternoon, the cross-winds and headwinds made dealing with icy patches much more difficult. Its one thing to lean in to the wind on dry pavement, but another to deal with 15mph crosswinds while riding over ice altogether. I had a few spots along the MVT and WOD that were trickier than they should have been b/c the winds were strong.

January 25, 2013 at 4:08 am #960855

vvill
Participant

Based on my very limited experience, I’d say…
– stay seated for climbs and ride higher cadence than usual, if you have to mash/ride out of the saddle go easy, try not to move side-to-side too much, and be prepared for some slippage
– ice can be deceptively sharp and hard. what might look like an innocent lump of snow could be an icy rock
– stay on trails as much as you can rather than roads so you can avoid drivers who are *really* not looking out for bikes in this weather (and maybe also avoid deeper ruts? not sure if this one is true, just a suspicion)
– be careful when you put a foot down at a red light/crossing/etc, esp if you have for example, a toe cover which may make the toe of your shoe less grippy than usual
– stay on routes you know if possible, to avoid hitting hidden potholes/obstacles that are hidden under the snow cover

January 25, 2013 at 5:57 am #960857

KLizotte
Participant

Also keep in mind that cars will be sliding all over the place too and may not be able to stop in time if you get in their way, this is particularly true with the first couple of snowfalls of the season since drivers are out of practice driving in the snow.

Having grown up north I’m constantly amazed by how many residents in this area keep summer tires on their vehicles all winter.

January 25, 2013 at 12:15 pm #960859

mstone
Participant

@KLizotte 41638 wrote:

Also keep in mind that cars will be sliding all over the place too and may not be able to stop in time if you get in their way, this is particularly true with the first couple of snowfalls of the season since drivers are out of practice.

That’s why I’m in the car. I saw at least 4 or 5 people leisurely sliding across the street into the curbs yesterday, and I was between them and the curb on a bike I’d be hurting. The first was before I was even out of the neighborhood: I just watched this woman in a Cayenne sliding across the street and down a hill, with a confused look on her face, completely unsure what to do next. That was a fairly safe side street that’s part of my usual bike commute.

January 25, 2013 at 1:08 pm #960863

americancyclo
Participant

In the aftermath of snow, if you don’t have the proper tires for riding on ice patches, I suggest having an alternate street route planned out for those days that the trail is still iced over, but the roads are dry/plowed.

January 25, 2013 at 2:00 pm #960867

Rootchopper
Participant

After crashing yesterday (and watching a car bounce off a curb) I have switched to my snow bike. It’s a Mitsubishi Lancer.

January 25, 2013 at 3:19 pm #960883

vvill
Participant

If you don’t feel comfortable riding on the snow/ice with the bike you have, use an alternative.

Use the rear brake first and foremost. And always brake gently if you can.

January 25, 2013 at 3:39 pm #960889

Dirt
Participant

Like a lot of people say…. It is important to be comfortable with the amount of adventure you have in your ride. Even if you’re using perfect technique, mixing it up with cars adds to the danger level.

Will’s right about the brakes. The rear brake is your friend. Slow as early as possible when you know you’ve got a stop coming up. I start to slow WAY before an intersection.

January 25, 2013 at 10:58 pm #960922

Rod Smith
Participant

Ugh. I through it away again today. My rear brake quit working early in the day. Probably a factor in the fall I took on the final downhill section of my evening commute. Be careful out there.

January 25, 2013 at 11:49 pm #960923

Bilsko
Participant

@Rod Smith 41706 wrote:

Ugh. I through it away again today. My rear brake quit working early in the day. Probably a factor in the fall I took on the final downhill section of my evening commute. Be careful out there.

This was my problem on Monday-Thursday this week. Moisture in the Cable Housing for the rear disc brake would freeze up after about 5 minutes outside, leaving me unable to actuate the lever. Fortunately front brake was fine.
Tri-Flo to the housing seems to have solved the issue for me.
Author

Posts