Metro Boston: Good ride today?
#1627
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snow tires arriving in the mail today (23c road tires do not do well with anything frozen on the road). Wife convinced me the the 50mph gusts were dangerous enough to stay off the bike this morning. Spent nearly 1 hour in the car for what is normally a 25 minute bike commute--good times!
#1628
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I don't know if it was the 17F temps or breaking in the new 32c snow studs (nokian a10) but the ride in at 6:30am was slow going.
The tires are (not surprisingly) ridiculously heavy compared to 23c race tires. It will be fun so see how they fare in the snow they are forecasting for tomorrow.
The tires are (not surprisingly) ridiculously heavy compared to 23c race tires. It will be fun so see how they fare in the snow they are forecasting for tomorrow.
#1629
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Decent today, to and from. Granted, I am only approx 4 Orange Line stops away from work...
#1630
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First "snow day" ride in. First real test of my new Nokian 32c a10s. They seem pretty fast for snow studs. On dry pavement yesterday, I was able to ride to close to the same speeds as I do on 25c slicks. Cornering at speed on them feels dicey though. Not sure if it's the tread or studs, but it is not confident inspiring compared to road slicks, wet or dry. The tires also felt a little loose when I cut through an un-plowed parking lot this morning, but I was able to keep speed (and upright) without any problems.
#1631
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...They seem pretty fast for snow studs. On dry pavement yesterday, I was able to ride to close to the same speeds as I do on 25c slicks. Cornering at speed on them feels dicey though. Not sure if it's the tread or studs, but it is not confident inspiring compared to road slicks, wet or dry. The tires also felt a little loose when I cut through an un-plowed parking lot this morning, but I was able to keep speed (and upright) without any problems.
To describe the stud's effectiveness, I'll use an analogy. Think about walking with rubber soled shoes on three surfaces; dry clean asphalt, glare ice, and glare ice that's been sprinkled with sand. On the dry asphalt you can run and make sharp turns without any concern about your shoes skidding. On the ice, you can only walk carefully, changing direction and speed slowly, lest you Fall Down Go Boom (that's FDGB for those of you, "in the know" so to speak). On ice that someone has nicely sprinkled some sand over, you can walk easily and perhaps even run. But if you do run you won't be making any sharp turns or trying to stop quickly, as you would on dry asphalt, since you know full well that those little grains of sand aren't glued onto the ice, and can roll if pushed hard enough.
Riding on ice with studded tires is like walking on ice that's been lightly covered with sand. It's pretty safe. You're not likely to fall unless you do something stupid. You're not going to have the same traction you would have on dry pavement. But you're going to have far more than you would with regular tires on ice. Keep in mind that there's ice down there and you'll be fine. Try to be a hero, and you'll probably pay a price.
Riding on ice with studded tires is like walking on ice that's been lightly covered with sand. It's pretty safe. You're not likely to fall unless you do something stupid. You're not going to have the same traction you would have on dry pavement. But you're going to have far more than you would with regular tires on ice. Keep in mind that there's ice down there and you'll be fine. Try to be a hero, and you'll probably pay a price.
rod
#1632
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Southwest Corridor Bike Path was covered with snow on the way into work, and icey on the way home. I am realizing why people buy tires for snow/ice...a bit scary. Not sure If I can make the investment though.
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Regarded today's snow and cold as a sign that Winter hadn't been cancelled, after all. Took my Surly LHT to my Friendly LBS (Tyler, at Paramount Bicycle Repair) for a much-needed tune-up. Moved the winter bike (1987 GT Karakorum running Nokian Hakkapelitta W240 studded tires) to the grab-and-ride spot. And shoveled snow.
Maybe get a ride tomorrow, when the plows aren't going nuts.
rod
Maybe get a ride tomorrow, when the plows aren't going nuts.
rod
#1634
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No outdoor rides for me this weekend. Wife is working during the day and I don't think she would like me dragging the trailer around on the roads.
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Got a ride up to Lexington Center and back on the winter bike, before the Pats game, on a variety of surfaces. Relearned some verities about riding on snow and ice: higher rolling friction, lower sliding friction, more work overall to travel slower, a different kind of fun. The crackle of the carbide studs on bare pavement appears to get dogs' attention.
rod
rod
Last edited by rholland1951; 01-22-12 at 05:19 PM. Reason: Go Pats!
#1636
What??? Only 2 wheels?
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No biking. We spent 3.5 hrs skiing at Weston Ski Track. For a long time it looked like there would be no winter.
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
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Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
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Can't wait to see how Tuesday turns out
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I've come to divide all weather into the categories "I wish I were riding in that" or "I'm glad I'm not riding in that." Tonight's cold rain definitely falls into the latter bin.
rod
rod
#1639
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Did I really just ride into work wearing shorts and a SS jersey? Why yes I did. Going to do everything I can to sneak out early and pile on miles before the sun goes down.
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With the LHT still in the shop, took the winter bike (1987 GT Karakorum running Nokian W240 studded tires) out for a spin to Depot Park. With the nearest icy roads in Labrador, the carbide studs were noisy overkill, and the bike earned a new nickname: Buzz Bomb. Still, great day to be out and pedaling, and lots of folks were taking advantage of the fine weather.
rod
rod
Last edited by rholland1951; 01-29-12 at 08:38 AM. Reason: ground a metaphor
#1642
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if they are anything like Dover then that must have been quite a ride.
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#1645
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Took the Buzz Bomb on a night ride from E. Arlington to Lexington Center and back on the Minuteman. Empty path, met half a dozen walkers, two cyclists; no runners, skaters, baby carriages, unicycles, rescue greyhounds, scooter kids, Ellipti-Gos, or other Minuteman day-time stuff. Milky sky diffused moonlight from above and streetlight from below. Stopped the bike at one point, to verify that the Night Chorus is back; don't know which species are making all that racket, but hope they're not fatally miss-timing their courtship. Heard a screech owl on the way home.
rod
rod
Last edited by rholland1951; 02-01-12 at 07:39 AM.
#1646
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What anamazing day. Not only was the temperature over 60, but I was able to get out for my first 10- mile ride since my arm injury a month ago. In shorts and short sleeves noi less!
#1647
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I was able to sneak in 30 miles after work. Nothing like riding in shorts on the 1st day of February. Still pretty nice out today: 43F and overcast. I am going to try to get another ride in this afternoon.
#1648
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just registered for the Mt. Washington Auto Road Hillclimb: https://www.bikereg.com/events/ConfLi...?EventID=14546. What am I thinking?
time to start the liquid-starvation diet. only six months to prepare
time to start the liquid-starvation diet. only six months to prepare
#1649
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just registered for the Mt. Washington Auto Road Hillclimb: https://www.bikereg.com/events/ConfLi...?EventID=14546. What am I thinking?
time to start the liquid-starvation diet. only six months to prepare
time to start the liquid-starvation diet. only six months to prepare
Got out for a nice hour today. Highlight of the day came on South street in Needham. I was cruising down a short hill when three deer came bounding across the road in front of me. Hooves a clicking and bushy tails a wagging. I love nature.
#1650
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I'm doing the Mount Washington....century in July. Though I'd like to get up and check out the hill climb as a spectator.
Got out for a nice hour today. Highlight of the day came on South street in Needham. I was cruising down a short hill when three deer came bounding across the road in front of me. Hooves a clicking and bushy tails a wagging. I love nature.
Got out for a nice hour today. Highlight of the day came on South street in Needham. I was cruising down a short hill when three deer came bounding across the road in front of me. Hooves a clicking and bushy tails a wagging. I love nature.