Stupid things a toad does ...
11-19-16 | 05:40 PM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 429
Likes: 2
From: Woodbury, MN
Bikes: 2006 Trek Pilot 1.2, 1972 Schwinn SS
If you were comfortable then you did not build any character
11-21-16 | 08:43 AM
#30
Thread Starter
meh
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,742
Likes: 1,129
From: Hopkins, MN
Bikes: 23 Cutthroat, 21 CoMotion Java; 21 Bianchi Infinito; 15 Surly Pugsley; 11 Globe Daily; 09 Kona Dew Drop; 96 Mondonico
It's true, the snow didn't accumulate as much as forecast, I could've use the gravel bike without issues. We were right on the rain/snow transition for this storm, in fact, I rode through the transition twice... my route went to Victoria (west of Minneapolis) where the snow was piling up fast, but as I rode back to Minneapolis, it started to turn back to rain/snow mix. So it's more of a "prepared for the worst" bike choice. Plus, I ride my Pug on many long rides (Almanzo 100, Filthy 50, ...).
The wind was viscous and all over the place too. Wind speeds got up to 35 mph and top gust-speeds were recorded at 50 mph. Most of my route was East/West, avoiding the head winds. I was biking south on the West River Road (Mississippi River trail) and wind from the North was pushing the snow flakes faster than me.... really odd seeing the snow pass you. The winds were at their max when I was in Minneapolis and I got pushed around a couple times, like the point where I thought I'd ride over the Sabo Bridge (non-motor bridge), the cross-wind was so bad I had a foot out for balance. Later, by a new apartment building near Lake Calhoun, I was blown off the trail and noticed other tracks in the snow where the same thing had happened to other riders.
I don't have a lot of pics to share, as the ride went on, my hands were too cold and wet to take photos. Plus, I really wanted to keep moving since every stop meant that my core would cool off. So I stopped a few times early for photos and a couple time later to pee (not easy in this kinda weather). But I never when inside during this ride. I was getting some numbness in my feet and fingers. It's so hard to keep warm in the cold/wet, wool is great, but it has limits. In summation, I'd rather ride at -10F than wet & 30F!
Edit: BTW - I'll think I can justify punching my "Not a Fair-Weather Rider" card, right?
The wind was viscous and all over the place too. Wind speeds got up to 35 mph and top gust-speeds were recorded at 50 mph. Most of my route was East/West, avoiding the head winds. I was biking south on the West River Road (Mississippi River trail) and wind from the North was pushing the snow flakes faster than me.... really odd seeing the snow pass you. The winds were at their max when I was in Minneapolis and I got pushed around a couple times, like the point where I thought I'd ride over the Sabo Bridge (non-motor bridge), the cross-wind was so bad I had a foot out for balance. Later, by a new apartment building near Lake Calhoun, I was blown off the trail and noticed other tracks in the snow where the same thing had happened to other riders.
I don't have a lot of pics to share, as the ride went on, my hands were too cold and wet to take photos. Plus, I really wanted to keep moving since every stop meant that my core would cool off. So I stopped a few times early for photos and a couple time later to pee (not easy in this kinda weather). But I never when inside during this ride. I was getting some numbness in my feet and fingers. It's so hard to keep warm in the cold/wet, wool is great, but it has limits. In summation, I'd rather ride at -10F than wet & 30F!
Edit: BTW - I'll think I can justify punching my "Not a Fair-Weather Rider" card, right?
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Phil85207
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07-23-10 05:16 PM
