White out.

[2manybikes]

I started at about 4" of snow and at least two blocks visibility. When it got to about 6" deep (the pedals hit the snow at about 5.5"), almost a complete white out, and a 50 mph headwind to return, it was time for plan "B'.
That was to leave the bike path and take the road back, it was somewhat plowed or at least there were ruts to ride in.

Always have a plan "B". :)

I did make first tracks in fresh powder, that's always nice.

[Old School]

Dude! You are definitely hard core!!

[Roody]

Beautiful pictures. The 50 mph wind sounds worse than the snow! :eek:

[Gojohnnygo.]

You guys get to have all the fun. :(

I had the opportunity to ride in white out conditions about 2 years ago. I was on State route 3 NY at 3:00am with no traffic. Well it took me 3 hours to go 13 miles. I was riding thru 6" to 9" of dry fluffy snow. That was a leg burning experience! At one point it got to bad to ride. I found some shelter inside a group of thick cedar trees. I never want ride in that again.

Johnny

[2manybikes]

Beautiful pictures. The 50 mph wind sounds worse than the snow! :eek:

Thanks Roody. My camera works in a sandwich bag.

The wind was pretty bad, but it was at my back in the deep snow and not into my face until I was on the road. That was a big help.

You guys get to have all the fun.

I had the opportunity to ride in white out conditions about 2 years ago. I was on State route 3 NY at 3:00am with no traffic. Well it took me 3 hours to go 13 miles. I was riding thru 6" to 9" of dry fluffy snow. That was a leg burning experience! At one point it got to bad to ride. I found some shelter inside a group of thick cedar trees. I never want ride in that again.

I had the advantage of dressing for the conditions at the house. I also had a bike path and never was far from civilization. I could have locked the bike and walked to a house if needed. The road back is a state road so I knew it would be plowed. Not as much risk as it looks. But twice as much fun. It sounds like you were a lot farther away from any shelter. I can see that's potentially a very big problem. Glad you made it out OK.

[halfbiked]

You guys get to have all the fun. :(


That's what I was thinking. We've had two decent snowfalls this winter. Grrr :mad:

[GreyGoat]

the scarey thing about riding in whiteouts is the chance ending up plow bait!...and even if they miss you, they thro the snow a long ways.. nice pics!!!....

[2manybikes]

the scarey thing about riding in whiteouts is the chance ending up plow bait!...and even if they miss you, they thro the snow a long ways.. nice pics!!!....

Thanks GreyGoat.

I did think about a vehicle coming from behind when the visibility was at it's worst. It was a little scary.
I never thought about the big blast of snow coming off the right side of the plow.
Glad you brought it up, I will have to keep it in my mind when on the road. Have you ever been hit with that?

[Roody]

the scarey thing about riding in whiteouts is the chance ending up plow bait!...and even if they miss you, they thro the snow a long ways.. nice pics!!!....
Good point. How about when they have four or five plows coming at you in an overlapping phalanx, and they're plowing not only the road, but the shoulder too. And you know they're not stopping for anything, even if they do happen to see you. You soon learn how fast you can bunnyhop over a great big snow bank and into the ditch!

[2manybikes]

Good point. How about when they have four or five plows coming at you in an overlapping phalanx, and they're plowing not only the road, but the shoulder too. And you know they're not stopping for anything, even if they do happen to see you. You soon learn how fast you can bunnyhop over a great big snow bank and into the ditch!


It sounds like you are speaking from experience. It sounds incredible.

How big a snowbank did you have to get over? How far sideways did you go?

[DataJunkie]

OMG!
I would have stayed home or taken the bus.
That's something else.