I started out at dawn on my commuter mtb. The temperature was a solid 15 degrees F with a slight north breeze. I grabbed a few shots on the way until my camera battery froze.






Early sunrise on the mountains




The trail was tricky this morning with divits, ski and bike tracks and ice.



It finally started to get light on the mountains, then my camera froze. Oh well.

Beautiful!! Thanks for the pics!

Absolutely gorgeous. Where were these taken?

Great pictures!! Thanks for sharing.

Yes, snow is very pretty... but my first Montana winter is teaching me that I am a cold wather weenie. I suppose I'll just have to harden up or die trying

Do you commute on that Ti rig all year or just in the winter?

My wife grew up in Dillion & Missoula. You have some good riding there.

Cold weather can be daunting if you are dressed properly or you have a breakdown without the proper gear. I live in Alaska complete with an abundance of trails (paved, dirt, single track, and goat trails). My commutes ranges depending on the conditions from 12 miles to 20 miles one way. I can choose my length.

I ride the mtb in the winter for commuting when the trails are really crappy like now. We have had no snow for 2 weeks and the ice has been really bad. It's sublimating now, so the pavement is starting to show. Otherwise I ride this:



Cross (I'm in the process of mounting some studs)

or my road bike:

Great pictures, thanks for posting them. That sky looks amazing!

I'm assuming you have a warm place to arrive at after your commute, it looks pretty much like your riding out in the wild most of the way, nothing like us boring city commuters.



Cheers!

Yeah, and they tell me Missoula winters are mild by Montana standards. This Portlander has to thicken his blood up a bit . But you're right, there is some excellent riding around here, so I have no right to complain. I do need some better gloves though: my old Pearl Izumis aren't cutting it.


Oh, and please post some more pics of your Salsa . I can't get enough of that bike.

People are probably tired of these pics, but here are a few more. I've changed the seat since these pics to a Selle Italia SLR Kit Carbonio like this: