Touring - Cycling with skis - Proof of concept

A few weeks ago I read a discussion about riding with skiing equipment (plus the normal gear for camping/touring) on the bike. I decided to give it a try. I managed to strap skis to the frame and the boots and telescopic poles in a large day pack on the rear rack.

I rode from Sweden to Norway's second highest mountain Glittertind, ascended/descended on skis and cycled back home. A 15 day, 1760 kilometer expedition.

I'm writing about it (an posting photos) on my blog: http://tallabomba.blogspot.com/
The first post has a photo of the packed bike: http://tallabomba.blogspot.com/2008/06/cycling-with-skis.html

Has anyone tried something similar?
I'd be happy to answer any questions about my experiences.

but why not take a sea kayak and go along the coast instead?

"The skis are Nordic style touring skis with edges."

You might want to put some protection over those edges. That would be a nasty place to slice yourself if you fell onto the top-tube/skis. Or make sure you have a good, thick chamois. Tag sig af nosserne!

Closest activity here are the special racks that hold surf boards. Just for short runs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjW6mTrazXY


yes. been there, done that.

I found the Tubus Cargo rack mounts skis quite firmly straight up; I've strapped skis along the top tube for short bike trips but found this mounting system worked like a charm, even up to close to 40 MPH on the descents. I brought slightly heavier, metal edged wider backcountry skis and leather tour/tele boots. I could see doing a tour with mountaineering ascent skis like Atomic 8611's (still leather boots though as I am a traditionalist.)

Did you pack all your food and fuel from home like a backcountry tour, or did you get resupply on the road? 15 days of stove fuel is quite a bit of fuel.

As an aisde, Goran Kropp (RIP) inspired Erden Eruc to attempt the seven summits under human power... Erden was climbing with Goran the day he fell to his death rock climbing... Erden left Seattle on bike, ascended the highest peak in North America, and returned to seattle on bike..... I don't think he brought skis (snowshoes for the approach) but still very impressive.

I was inspired by my snowcountry upbringing and WWII Finnish bike troops.... I used to ride with skis around town, and now would like to do more spring bike/ski trips....next season if I'm lucky...

Or you could totally pimp your ride like the image attached. Then you'll have a place for the skies ;)

(and the skies would be protected)

A few weeks ago I read a discussion about riding with skiing equipment (plus the normal gear for camping/touring) on the bike. I decided to give it a try. I managed to strap skis to the frame and the boots and telescopic poles in a large day pack on the rear rack.

I rode from Sweden to Norway's second highest mountain Glittertind, ascended/descended on skis and cycled back home. A 15 day, 1760 kilometer expedition.

I'm writing about it (an posting photos) on my blog: http://tallabomba.blogspot.com/
The first post has a photo of the packed bike: http://tallabomba.blogspot.com/2008/06/cycling-with-skis.html

Has anyone tried something similar?
I'd be happy to answer any questions about my experiences.


Granted this isn't "touring" with skis, but you reminded me of a post of fasterskier.com from last month:

http://www.fasterskier.com/news5407.html

Bike up to the snow, ski, then return.

This winter I'm looking to get the skis on the bike as well. I do most of my ski training at two local parks, one about 6km from my home and another about 13km. I feel guilty about driving to them.

Did you have any trouble handling your bike with your skis in that position? I've been considering mounting them a backpack (see my link above) but am concerned about the possibility of hitting the rear wheel with the ski tails. Your method seems to avoid that problem.

http://www.fasterskier.com/news5407.html

Bike up to the snow, ski, then return.

Yes, that's similar except for the extent of the trip, and the amount and type of equipment. ...and the average speed? :)


This winter I'm looking to get the skis on the bike as well. I do most of my ski training at two local parks, one about 6km from my home and another about 13km. I feel guilty about driving to them.

Did you have any trouble handling your bike with your skis in that position? I've been considering mounting them a backpack (see my link above) but am concerned about the possibility of hitting the rear wheel with the ski tails. Your method seems to avoid that problem.

Mounting them on a backpack is probably great for shorter rides and/or if you have the super light (and short) racing/cross-country/skating skis.

I had no problems (after a few adjustments), but I have a large frame. I'm 195 cm tall (6' 6'' ?) The length of the steering column is critical, but brake and gear wires, and front pannier height may also be issues.

I found the Tubus Cargo rack mounts skis quite firmly straight up; I've strapped skis along the top tube for short bike trips but found this mounting system worked like a charm, even up to close to 40 MPH on the descents.

Sounds like a good alternative. I thought about that positioning for smaller frames. How would that work on really bad/bumpy/rocky dirt roads or trails?


I brought slightly heavier, metal edged wider backcountry skis and leather tour/tele boots. I could see doing a tour with mountaineering ascent skis like Atomic 8611's (still leather boots though as I am a traditionalist.)

I would probably chose something like on a future trip (or even plastic AT boots + light/short AT skis). I do not own them yet though. :p


Did you pack all your food and fuel from home like a backcountry tour, or did you get resupply on the road? 15 days of stove fuel is quite a bit of fuel.


I only used about 400 ml of fuel in 15 days, but I only cooked once or twice a day. I bought food along the way except for the days high up in the National Park. I usually (but not allways) had "cold food" during the day, and cooked at night.


As an aisde, Goran Kropp (RIP) inspired Erden Eruc to attempt the seven summits under human power... Erden was climbing with Goran the day he fell to his death rock climbing... Erden left Seattle on bike, ascended the highest peak in North America, and returned to seattle on bike..... I don't think he brought skis (snowshoes for the approach) but still very impressive.

Thanks for that info. I knew about Kropp, but not about his friend Erden.

the skis were ROCK SOLID wedged in the rack, (they fit like the Tubus Cargo was meant to carry skis that way). I didn't strap them to the outside, or between rack and pannier, they fit into a slot in the top of the rack and wedged against one of the rack struts. I strapped them forward to keep them from moving fore-aft but were otherwise quite tight in the rack. I pushed it up to almost 40 MPH on a descent on that trip and no worries about the skis at all.

I wouldn't worry about skis carried there on gravel roads, but if I were riding on trails would come up with a horizontal ski carry to keep branches from grabbing.

"The skis are Nordic style touring skis with edges."

You might want to put some protection over those edges. That would be a nasty place to slice yourself if you fell onto the top-tube/skis. Or make sure you have a good, thick chamois. Tag sig af nosserne!

Yes, good idea, but it depends on how the skis are mounted. The upper edge on my config was at the same level as the top tube, and they were really close together so getting cut would be hard. Protecting the skis is still a good idea though (but costs some extra grams :)

Another safety issue: If the skis come loose in the front they may slide down between the front panniers and look the front wheel, resulting in a nasty accident (if it happens at high speed or with heavy traffic nearby).

but why not take a sea kayak and go along the coast instead?

Sounds like a great plan. That would be goods in March/April, when the snow starts at lower altitude. You could paddle between mountains and make day trips (or more) on skis.

Heh, when I used to ski in Grenoble I'd ride to the bus stop with the skis across the handlebars. Never thought of going vertical, or for that matter fore-aft :)

Steve

I put a cap on the end of a 30" length of PVC drain pipe, lined it with closed cell foam, and attached it to one of the struts of my Blackburn rear rack with two hose clamps. Holds a pair of skating skis and poles very nicely for a quick ride up to the local Nordic center and back. Sometimes I cycle in nordic ski boots, some times I put the boots in the Carradice and cycle in normal shoes.