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Tonight marks for me that winter riding has officially begun. I mounted the studs onto my commuter this evening. It has been snowing off an on all week, however I have been pushing it with the slicks, as most days the snow will melt away during the day. I think it is here to stay now until April 2008.
I hope everyone enjoys a good season of Cold Weather Riding! Be safe and warm :beer:
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/9161/winterstudsxw7.jpg
The Studs down from the rafters and mounted.
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/4334/light13iu3.jpg
This was from a ride last night with regular knobbies.
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Yep. It's getting closer. Even though highs were in the 70's today, we have our first forecast for snow this week, and the temps are finally going to get cold. My studded tires hang mounted up all year in the garage. I just need to pull them down and slap them on the bike.
^^^ It has been threatening to snow here lots. We have been getting it, but then it melts somewhat during the day, then turns to bumpy ice rink like conditions in the evening and morning.
This was from my ride home tonight. Sorry for the picture quality, however I wanted to be sure I was in control while taking shots. It sort of captures what's to come...
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/472/iceridewx5.jpg
Heading up Broadway Bridge
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/9729/iceride3bz9.jpg
On the bridge, it's not as icy or rutted as it was coming down it this morning
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/2606/iceride1on3.jpg
Still on the bridge with full flash
Studs went on for a 2 hour training ride on black ice on Sunday, off on Monday as the roads are now dry. I just can't stand riding my studs on dry pavement. Winter is here though, I've given up on any more mountain bike rides for the year. :( Oh well, next year I've got a 2008 Rocky Mountain Element70 to look forward to...
OMG!!! YOU GUYS ARE SOOOOO LUCKY!!!! It might snow here this afternoon, but not stick. I don't have my Nokians any more, hope to need some soon.
Studs went on for a 2 hour training ride on black ice on Sunday, off on Monday as the roads are now dry. I just can't stand riding my studs on dry pavement. Winter is here though, I've given up on any more mountain bike rides for the year. :( Oh well, next year I've got a 2008 Rocky Mountain Element70 to look forward to...
Awesome on the new Element! I love that bike already :beer:
It was a icy commute this morning :eek:
OMG!!! YOU GUYS ARE SOOOOO LUCKY!!!! It might snow here this afternoon, but not stick. I don't have my Nokians any more, hope to need some soon.
That's a great attitude... Hats off to you! :beer:
I remember heading out for a back country hiking/camping trip to the Rockies in October, some co-workers ask, "Aren't you worried about it being cold and snowy?" The response from one of my fellow hikers was "We can only hope" :D
:lol:
Nice photos--- what camera are you using?
I have an extra wheel set with some Nokian Extremes--- just waiting for snow that will never come. We have had very thick frost covering everything, so I am off the road bike and commuting on the mountain bike. I love the cold weather---- much fewer fellow commuters clogging up the locker room at work.
First ride in the snow this season - it went fine, although it will take time to get used to the weight of studded tires. My legs are going to be HUGE by the end of winter...
First ride in the snow this season - it went fine, although it will take time to get used to the weight of studded tires. My legs are going to be HUGE by the end of winter...
Ditto, my snow bike feels like a tank. Good to know you are building more than just character though :D
First studded tire of the season today. It was a huge difference going from 23mm Fortezza Tri Comps at 120 psi to 2.0" Nokian Extremes at 40 psi. I was sickly slow today. :(
That's a great attitude... Hats off to you! :beer:
I remember heading out for a back country hiking/camping trip to the Rockies in October, some co-workers ask, "Aren't you worried about it being cold and snowy?" The response from one of my fellow hikers was "We can only hope" :D
:lol:
:lol:
I miss the snow and ice too, it's going to be 60F + on Thanksgiving day.
Good thing about riding Baileys trike so much. My snow bike does not feel slow !!!
First studded tire of the season today. It was a huge difference going from 23mm Fortezza Tri Comps at 120 psi to 2.0" Nokian Extremes at 40 psi. I was sickly slow today. :(
Fo shizzo my hizzo! I didn't bother to change the gearing on the SS - I'm now running a 77" gear compared to 74" with 23C tires. The first really big dump we have is going to involve a walk of shame - I can feel it already... :o
no real snow here yet.... in winterpeg.... cold, but dry streets...
i overhauled my winter beater (a 91 cannondale mtb) it has been converted to a SS, had bearings replaced, new cables, pads... added the studs and cleaned it up... it sits ther looking at my like a guilty puppy, wanting to be ridden....
i can't wait for the hardpacked snow... love the sound of the studs on hardpack.... hate it on concrete!
jB
Nice photos--- what camera are you using?
I have an extra wheel set with some Nokian Extremes--- just waiting for snow that will never come. We have had very thick frost covering everything, so I am off the road bike and commuting on the mountain bike. I love the cold weather---- much fewer fellow commuters clogging up the locker room at work.
Thanks, I use a Nikon 5700 and a Canon SD400. Dark Winter cycling does have a special appeal to be sure :)
:lol:
I miss the snow and ice too, it's going to be 60F + on Thanksgiving day.
Good thing about riding Baileys trike so much. My snow bike does not feel slow !!!
It's a good conditioner :D
I sure was slogging on the ride into work today. Temperature was -20C, which isn't bad, however I think it was the combination of new snow fall slowing my roll, and the North headwind pushing me back. My regular coast was a slug fest aerobic work out :lol:
This is a shot of our River on the way home from work. The Traffic Bridge is Lit Green in Celebration of the Riders wining the Grey Cup :)
http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/2681/trafficbridgetn9.jpg
Temp was -23C on the way home. Ice flows are forming in the South Saskatchewan River.
Nice ViperZ. I just placed an order for some studded Nokian Tires so I can have some fun this winter too. I used to just give up on biking once the snow and ice got bad, but this year I don't want to stop riding. I also bought some warmer clothing that should get me through the winter including boots, and new pedals etc. I'm gonna use my older GT mountain bike this winter and save my newer bikes from the road salt. The GT, while old, is in perfect running condition so it should hold up ok. Still trying to figure out what kind of fenders I should get. Will the mountain bike fenders that clip in or use quick release hold up in winter?
I'm not sure how well they would hold up. I suppose it would depend on your riding conditions and how often you ride. My conditions are more to the extreme, and seeing as I ride everyday, I use bolt on Freddy Fenders.
http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/4766/32crideaw1.jpg
This is a shot of our River on the way home from work. The Traffic Bridge is Lit Green in Celebration of the Riders wining the Grey Cup :)
Temp was -23C on the way home. Ice flows are forming in the South Saskatchewan River.
Great photo! :) and people wonder, why ride in the winter time! ?!?
We got winter, then lost it, then got it again, then lost everything but some ice and hard snow. Weird year. But I've been getting a lot of riding in and did some upgrades on Fram
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b52/Gussick/Framnew.jpg
Great photo! :) and people wonder, why ride in the winter time! ?!?
For the crazy solitude ;) And Picture opportunities :D
We got winter, then lost it, then got it again, then lost everything but some ice and hard snow. Weird year. But I've been getting a lot of riding in and did some upgrades on Fram
Some years are like that... For the last few years we have not been getting the crazy -40C temps for weeks on end like we always use to get, in turn we just get lots of snow, and a week or so of -36C.
Good Winter Rig!
It has been snowing all day today, as such I expected a slog ride home, but it wasn't too bad. A bit of front time snow planing here and there, but nothing too crazy. It was a nice ride home, and I took a few pictures for comparison form yesterday. These are more snap shots for posterity, sorry for the blurriness of some of them.
http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/7151/ride0uw8.jpg
Even though the bike is in a covered compound, it still had a light dusting of snow. That Specialized has been there since fall. Somebody has left it unlocked and it was actually tipped over in the middle of the rack. I moved it there out of the way and for safer keeping.
http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/9017/ride1zv4.jpg
Lights Fired Up, ready to roll
http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/2937/ride2zl1.jpg
Ride down 4th Avenue, traffic is less at 6:30
http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/1566/ride3ev2.jpg
Ice Flows have built up since yesterday. The snow in the sky is a nice effect
http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/4841/ride4yj5.jpg
Self Portrait
http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/1002/ride5zl1.jpg
The river is already starting to freeze over on the left side
http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/6349/ride6ec0.jpg
The Rig
Ride Temperature home was -20C
My studs went on this morning. *sniff*
Took out my MTB with studded tires for a tune-up commute before the snow and ice comes. Transitioned from road bike with 23c tires. Added 10 or 15 minutes to my 30 minute ride and I was working hard. Yuck.
Seriously thinking about looking for an old hybrid/cross bike and adding drop bars. Probably not this year though. I'm sure my time will improve a tad after I get used to the different riding position, - at least when the roads are good. I might also try one of those "Winter" tires that Conti came out with to see if they roll a bit better without giving up too much on the ice.
Swapped my tires from slicks to nokian mount & ground on the front and conti veritcal on the back for the commute this morning...was really hoping to make Christmas before making the switch but was sure happy I did.
Too much loose snow...the nokian was loading up and made life exciting; conti on the back was doing fine. Combination - extra 500g of tire and need keep rubber side down - added 10-15 minutes to my 30-45 commute... Things will be better tomorrow...there will be a track and the nokian will be right at home...
Prairie*boy
Thinking about asking Sanata for a Nokian Extreme 294 or the equvalent at MEC for days like today...but then there's the extra rim....
a combo of snow and a drop in temps has meant some hardpack and loose snow... perfect for my winter bike!
i overhauled the rear hub, the headset, made it a ss, changed the chain, cables and cleaned it up... added the studs and its been waiting... its an old 91 cannondale mtb and even with studded tires it weighs in at just under 25lbs... it has been my main ride since mid 90's... the last few years its become a dedicated winter bike and it serves its purpose well!!
these last 3 days of commuting have been a blast!! we had a -35c windchill morning already too!!
the 46x18 gearing is pretty good so far... i think for the icebike race we have and for heavier snow i might pick up a 44 or 42 tooth chainring....
love those pics!! i should snap a few too...
congrats to 'riders!!
have fun and be safe!
jB
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/205/viperwithcorgionboardfimm9.jpg
ViperZ - those are some great photos, it looks like a nice commute too.
ViperZ: Which gloves/shoes are you using?
ViperZ - those are some great photos, it looks like a nice commute too.
Thanks! :)
ViperZ: Which gloves/shoes are you using?
For gloves I use a pair of The North Face Ski gloves (Patrol Work Glove). They are a modular glove made with leather and ballistic nylon. They have a removable fleece liner that can be interchanged with varying grades of insulated liner.
http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/9029/img3136mediumxd4.jpg
For Boots I generally wear a pair of Merrell Path Finders that are said to be good down to -20C, or something like that. I have ridden and played with them down to -36C for a few hours with out any problems.
http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/469/defride12fh1.jpg
I also wear a pair of Exustars for when I want SPD compatibility. They are good down to -10C they say, however I have also ridden down to -20C with them with out problems. Most times though I wear the Pathfinders
http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/9163/exustarmu0.jpg
Well, after a full day of work, with it snowing to beat the band all day, I could not wait to get off work and ride home. However I had to stay late to finish work and then set up a Christmas Tree with a Co-Worker. By the time I got off work, I just wanted to get home and eat. So no pictures of the commute home, which was fantastic to say the least. It was still snowing sideways, I was feeling all Christmasy after setting up the tree, and I had Christmas music playing on my iPod on the way home.... Best commute I have had in a long time :D
So after eating supper, I had to go play for a bit. I took the Rocky ETSX out to play instead of the commuter. I have not put studs on this unit yet as I want to use it like this for a bit. It certainly does not have the Velcro like grip of the Rocky Wedge with the Spike Claws, but baby this full suspension bike is plush on the ruts and bumps! Totally silk carpet ride! It tends to slide around a bit more in the deeper snow, but it is very controllable, and keeps a person's handling skills sharp :) I'll keep riding it like this until I get around to getting a set of Spike Claws for it as well (if even)
It was a lot of fun to be playing in the snow with out having to be somewhere. Here are some pictures.
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/528/snowride1nv9.jpg
Picture with flash
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/8994/snowride4zf7.jpg
Ambient flash
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/4848/snowride2oh0.jpg
No Flash
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/1826/snowride3sq0.jpg
The Weapon of Choice tonight
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