Winter Cycling - Deep snow

My favorite snow bike with 170 cranks and platform pedals, hits the snow with the pedals at 5.5 inches.

Have you ridden in 5" or 6" of snow? (The pedals hitting the snow once in a while).

How far?

What bike? What tires?

Photo?


I rode my old Giant Yukon 12 miles on a day when the fresh powder was over the pedals about 50% of the time. I almost did not make it. First gear high effort all the time. I took a lot of rest breaks. It was more work than anything I have done. I don't know how long it took, but I had to rest about every 1/2 mile or even less. A lot harder than any century on the road. I did about 30 centuries the year I did the snow ride. If the snow was warm and sticky I could not have made it. It was about 25F and fresh powder with pavement underneath.

This bike.


http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/9490/hpim3849cx4.jpg

Generally the snow is wet and heavy enough here that more than a few inches makes riding pretty much impossible for me. However I've had some success after windy snowfalls where I can gather speed between drifts and plow through them. Alternately, if the snow falls wet, and then it starts to get colder, it can ice over enough that big tires can float on it.

To answer the question (sort of) I rode home from work in 6 or 7 inches of snow once, about 12 miles, on my DH bike 2.7" DH tires with screws I put in them. I was mostly following car tracks though.... and most of them were stuck too.

I probably had to walk about half of the time (not distance) but it was still faster than any other known method of ground transport that particular evening.

2many, Nice Picture!

I had a tough slog home last night in the snow. It snowed about 5" during the work day. Most times I had good forward progression, however there were sections where I hit deep riffs of snow that redirected my steering, I had to put my foot down a few times to stabilize my self. There were many times when the bike went into a 2 wheel drift, where the front is slipping and plowing, and the back is doing the same. However as long as I kept peddling, the bike continued it's momentum.

By the time I got home I was dripping with sweat, and nearly in oxygen debit ;)

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/4677/img3088mediumyz9.jpg

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/5054/img3089mediumox0.jpg


I shoveled the waks last night at about 7:00pm, by 9:00pm it didn't even look like I had shoveld :lol:

It snowed all night and it's still snowing now. I rode th ebus today as i need to take the truck to an appoinment later on.

I should be back on the bike tomorrow.

I have been on trails in mid january (my birthday, actually) with about a foot or so. Hard work, you're right. Just an ordinary Mongoose mountain bike with normal knobbies. I go out no matter what during the winter ..especially at night cause there ain't any cars around during blizzards

I rode through the Buffalo storm this past October and there had to be a foot on the ground in most spots not plowed. Hell, One 2 mile stretch coming home wasn't plowed at all and I was having a hard ass time. A large truck finally came through ...I tried my best to follow it's tracks in the complete darkness (minus the flashes of lightning overhead) but wasn't very successful
In one miles time the tracks had been covered over with about 3 inches.
Went a little less than 20 miles round-trip. Best winter ride of all-time.

2many, Nice Picture!
By the time I got home I was dripping with sweat, and nearly in oxygen debit ;)


My (probably our) friends who don't ride much in the winter get severly dropped in the spring when they are just getting in shape again. I have to admit it's fun. Don't tell anyone I said so! :D

How are the fenders working out?

2many, Nice Picture!

I had a tough slog home last night in the snow. It snowed about 5" during the work day. Most times I had good forward progression, however there were sections where I hit deep riffs of snow that redirected my steering, I had to put my foot down a few times to stabilize my self. There were many times when the bike went into a 2 wheel drift, where the front is slipping and plowing, and the back is doing the same. However as long as I kept peddling, the bike continued it's momentum.

By the time I got home I was dripping with sweat, and nearly in oxygen debit ;)

I shoveled the waks last night at about 7:00pm, by 9:00pm it didn't even look like I had shoveld :lol:

It snowed all night and it's still snowing now. I rode th ebus today as i need to take the truck to an appoinment later on.

I should be back on the bike tomorrow.

I have those exact fenders on my bike and I like them.....had them on for a 2300km tour and decided to keep them on for the winter........keeps me nice and dry when the roads are melting.

Also, the snow is still going in Saskatoon and the windchill is -30. The only option of riding is in the driving lanes as the city seems to have decided to wait until the snow stops to start clearing the paths. It has been snowing for two days now...........

My (probably our) friends who don't ride much in the winter get severly dropped in the spring when they are just getting in shape again. I have to admit it's fun. Don't tell anyone I said so! :D

How are the fenders working out?


Yes, it was a lot of fun actually pedalling the bike while it was yawing sideways and drifting... :D

I was thinking if my commute will be the same amount of effort I have been having to exert, I'll be in fine form come spring :)

The fenders were great for when the streets had melt, but now they are not required, but I'll keep them on. The tires don't seem to pack with enough snow to clog so that is good. In the summer they were great for the rainy days.




I have those exact fenders on my bike and I like them.....had them on for a 2300km tour and decided to keep them on for the winter........keeps me nice and dry when the roads are melting.

Also, the snow is still going in Saskatoon and the windchill is -30. The only option of riding is in the driving lanes as the city seems to have decided to wait until the snow stops to start clearing the paths. It has been snowing for two days now...........

It looks like it's not going to stop anytime soon either. I have lots of shoveling to do tonight, I'm planning on riding tomorrow.

Vipz that second picture of the wheel following the tire track is awesome.

http://www.mikebeganyi.com/webimages/trek-snow.jpg

Last January.
Did 32 miles. Most of the roads were clear, but I did do 3 miles on a dirt road shortcut that was 6" deep and rutted from car traffic. It was a good workout all around - but I was definitely beat. The general store soup at the halfway point was divine.

Now I'm jealous, because ViperZ has so many nice snow ride pictures.

Here's a whiteout from last year.

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/4864/hpim6107smallex8.jpg
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/1513/hpim6106smallrd3.jpg
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/3289/hpim6105smallmh8.jpg
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/2324/hpim6102smallgg5.jpg

the problem I've noticed with all the snow we've just got is that you have to basically ride on the road in a lot of sections (the side pathways aren't cleaned for a little while), because the bike lanes are thick with snow. Its pretty scary to think that if you fall at the wrong time... so I went out and bought some studs today for my cross bike. It is a interesting change though for sure, lot different than racing at high speeds.

Vipz that second picture of the wheel following the tire track is awesome.


Thanks! :beer:

These are all great pics posted here. http://www.htguide.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_thumb.gif


Bmike's looks great and reminds me of a gorgeous winter day. 2many's white out looks totally inviting!


Bmike, how do you find riding the skinnys? Do they work well in deep snow?

I wimped out Monday after work & caught a ride home. Took the bus today :eek: (first time in 25yrs), will drive tomorrow so I can pick up my bike & ride Thursday.

Took 1h 15m to get to work by bus, 1h 30m to get home. I only have to average 8km/h on the bike to get home in the same time! Even with the deep snow, I know I can get home quicker by bike and have WAY more fun. Heck, I can WALK 8km/h:rolleyes: And "they" wonder why public transportation isn't popular.

The deep snow is definately a whole different level of workout.

It's fun to ride through fields in deep snow, if you have momentum it's a great feeling. Also, down grassy hills with lots of snow is really incredibly fun! But yesterday morning on the way to work I had to go about 1km in semi-deep snow, snow touching the pedals anyhow. It sucked, sucked, sucked. Well it was a lot of work anyhow. I can't imagine going 12km like that.

Whew! You guys really encourage me to go riding! I'll have to think of some excuse to go out tommorow!

Thanks! :beer:

These are all great pics posted here. http://www.htguide.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_thumb.gif


Bmike's looks great and reminds me of a gorgeous winter day. 2many's white out looks totally inviting!


Bmike, how do you find riding the skinnys? Do they work well in deep snow?

They were OK... most of the ride was on plowed or "sloppy" roads. I had a section on a dirt road - a combination of fresh snow and rutted from car traffic. I was riding 35mm touring tires with a semi smooth tread. I had to be careful of how much force I put down on the pedals - too much and I'd spin out. Handling was OK - a bit sloppy and I took really wide and slow turns.

The day was beautiful. I think we got 8" the night before on top of what was already on the ground. I usually take the MTB out - but went for a long ride that day. I liked hitting dirt roads on the MTB at night - lights on, blinkie blinking, and that very quiet and peaceful feeling of snow falling (through the headlight) and cruising out to no-mans land.

Unfortuneately I've moved to a more "urban" part of VT - this winter might have me on some MUPS, trails, and city streets - not sure how far the nearest "backroad" is.

^ Thanks, I have often wondered what skinnies would be like. At times I see people on their road bike here, mind you they are more the types of riders that are using them for basic transport. I have wondered how they did it, Most times they are riding on sidewalks.

Great pictures! We're supposed to get some snow this weekend.

I usually ride in deep snow late at night, when it's been snowing all evening while I'm at work. It's nice when there isn't any traffic at all.

Three tips--which most of you already know:
Use the car tire ruts when you can...Be careful on the slippery boardwalks and wooden bridges (like in 2MB's pic)...Walk up the hills if you have to!