Winter Cycling - the lure of the lake

I'll post pics later, but I wanted to write a note on passing this big lake on the way to work, and out on the ice were several people, a truck or two and several "ice houses." An ice house, for those not knowledgeable of behavior that would win Darwin awards, is a shed, usually on skis that is dragged out on the ice of a lake, when thick enough. Once the shed is on the ice a hole is agured(?) into the ice about 8 inches wide, and a line with a lure, or wax worm, or some sort of bait is placed on a hook at the end of the line, where fish begin to eye this "bait." Basically it is a way to catch fish, play cribbage, and drink from the safety of this "house." On some area lakes whole cities sprout. There are those brave souls who will venture out on the ice with their auger, and a five gallon bucket, and rod and do their fishing sans cribbag board and "home."

But, that's not what I wanted to relate here, it is the strong desire to ride my studded tired clunker out on that ice, where there is 1-2 inches of water, from this unseasonably warm weather. But, as I was on the way to work I figured that I'd arrive at work soaked, and decided against riding on the lake and do it another day. Took pics though. Crazy Minnesotans.

naisme:

We live in the same area - the snowy midwest and we live in the same weather zone. The ice isn't safe yet - too thin. As you know, it rained today.

I fell through ice once. You'll never take the chance again after surviving the experience. Save yourself the horror. Stay off the ice until it is ready.

As a hapless youth I drove out on the ice thinking I could cut across for a short cut, it scared the begezus out of me. There is a physics dynamic that creates a wave that is caused by the vehicle. Not knowing this I wound up riding the car up on this wave a couple times, and the cracking and all that went with it, well, I never drove a car out on the ice again.

The lure is there though when I see ice houses and trucks out on the ice. I'm not ready to go through the ice. I have gone through myself, not on a lake but on creeks around my house when I was kid. I don't want to do that again, so I'm waiting for the opportune time to try it out, but the flat, snowless surface of the ice just beackons, maybe after it gets colder.

Well, I know what you mean about wanting to ride out on the ice. It is kinda neat - especially when you ride out to see the guys ice-fishing.

Usually, it isn't much different from riding onto a farm field - you can hardly notice the difference. This year is different, however because there isn't any snow cover. The ice on most lakes is like a sheet of clear glass. Unfortunately, the warm temperatures and the rain made the ice even more dangerous the past couple of days.

I sure miss ice fishing! When I lived in the "Cities" my brother and I used to go out every weekend. Now-a-days, I would love to cycle on the ice like naisme is suggesting. As is your current problem with mild temperatures, we don't normally have long enough cold spells to get thick enough ice here for a safe experience. OH, and I would NEVER go out on the rivers here when they are frozen over. You just can't trust the ice.

I hope normal temps return and you can get out on the lakes and go ICE BIKING for real. :)

There are those brave souls who will venture out on the ice with their auger, and a five gallon bucket, and rod and do their fishing sans cribbag board and "home."

That is the standard procedure here. AFAIK you need to change place frequently when ice fishing (if you want to catch anything), so hauling a shed would be somewhat of an effort. Usually by the time lakes and the sea freeze there will be some snow as well, so people either walk or ski. If there is not too much snow you can see skaters too.

--J

Ah winter in Minnesota

Wow, great pic. You can see what I mean about the ice being like glass now - very rare occurance indeed. Usually there is snow cover or imperfections in the ice.

This year is an ice-sailors delight. If the ice were stronger, I would like to ice-skate on midwestern lakes now.

Wow! What a great pic, naisme!

i rode across a glassy lake with my cyclocross bike..regular tyres. no real problems except when accelerating or trying to turn sharper than 5 degrees.

The little community has grown, and look trucks out here too!

pretty flat out here too

I may not have Lake's , But here I am riding on the Charles river. I know the river is not that big at this point , but is is only like 2 miles from the headwaters .

yes I know Riding on Moving water is not a good idea!

Will have to add to the photos of the lake, the recent warm up has everyone scrambling to get their ice houses off the area lakes. If they go through owners get fined. The real fun part of this is watching the folks hurrying to do it while the ice is still thick that their cars and trucks don't go through.

Ah, ice fishing. Reminds me of times with my dad when I would skip school to spend many a day fishing for pickeral and having a few beverages with him. Sometimes the simple pleasures are the best ones there are. I am assuming that the ice on your frame is from the slush and not from going through. I've seen both cars and bikes go through the ice, neither I imagine, was enjoyable.

P.S. lure of the lake, funny

It's been so warm, that I've been too scared to ride on Lake Hariet. I never even rode across once this winter! Has anyone else been out there, lately? I need a safety report.

It's been so warm, that I've been too scared to ride on Lake Hariet. I never even rode across once this winter! Has anyone else been out there, lately? I need a safety report.

Well, no, but I think it's still plenty thick to walk or ride. If you fall, you will get wet.

Very Wet

Very Wet and possibly quite dead, too.

--J

Not very dead, you can use your seat coushion as a flotation device.

I'm not going to go out there. It's too wet and possibly too dangerous. Some of my most enjoyable rides have been across local lakes, so I was just lamenting how little I've ridden on the ice this year. There was either not enough snow, or too much snow. Or it's been too warm, such as now. I will probably wait to see what next winter brings.

I saw a couple of sportsmen out fishing yesterday, right out in the middle of the ice field, I'm sure there's still a good thickness for a man. I haven't seen many trucks or cars lately.

But, that's not what I wanted to relate here, it is the strong desire to ride my studded tired clunker out on that ice, where there is 1-2 inches of water, from this unseasonably warm weather. But, as I was on the way to work I figured that I'd arrive at work soaked, and decided against riding on the lake and do it another day. Took pics though. Crazy Minnesotans.


Having already fallen through the ice into the river here in early January while snowshoeing, the thought of riding out onto a frozen lake would be the LAST thing I'd want to do!!