Northern Tier Trail in Winter
10-12-13 | 09:26 AM
#26
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Machka,
The one thing you forgot to mention is when you start to lose the snow in the Midwest you start to pick something else, or maybe I should you start to get the chance of being picked up by something else...tornadoes. Mid April-early/mid June is prime tornado season in the Midwest. They can cause a lot more trouble than just leaving you stranded for a day or two.
The one thing you forgot to mention is when you start to lose the snow in the Midwest you start to pick something else, or maybe I should you start to get the chance of being picked up by something else...tornadoes. Mid April-early/mid June is prime tornado season in the Midwest. They can cause a lot more trouble than just leaving you stranded for a day or two.
10-12-13 | 06:31 PM
#27
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Machka,
The one thing you forgot to mention is when you start to lose the snow in the Midwest you start to pick something else, or maybe I should you start to get the chance of being picked up by something else...tornadoes. Mid April-early/mid June is prime tornado season in the Midwest. They can cause a lot more trouble than just leaving you stranded for a day or two.
The one thing you forgot to mention is when you start to lose the snow in the Midwest you start to pick something else, or maybe I should you start to get the chance of being picked up by something else...tornadoes. Mid April-early/mid June is prime tornado season in the Midwest. They can cause a lot more trouble than just leaving you stranded for a day or two.
But one thing to consider during a spring crossing of the prairies is wind in general. It will be strong and usually from the west.
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10-12-13 | 07:41 PM
#28
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As a resident of the Rockie Mountains I can only think the Southern Tier route in the winter will be cold, windy, snow packed, and dangerous. Sounds like something to be avoided. Go to the Southern Hemisphere for winter touring.
10-12-13 | 07:56 PM
#29
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However, if mdilthey has lots of time on his hands (as would appear to be the case with this idea of doing a North America crossing in the middle of winter), travelling to the Southern Hemisphere would be a great idea. We're just coming into spring now.
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10-12-13 | 08:27 PM
#30
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OOPs! I meant to refer to the Northern Tier in this post. Sorry for the mistake.
10-13-13 | 06:35 AM
#32
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Mainly I was thinking of the extra weight you need to bring for the overnight part.
Also, when I see packing lists I see a lot of "spares" and have even seen spare chains for example. I have ridden many miles for many years and have not broken a chain so I would never bring one (not even a chain tool). I takes my chances.
To the OP - some here question your desire to do this and that doesn't really answer your question. However, along that questioning vein I can understand why you are considering taking this on. It sure as heck would be a challenge and if you pulled it off you could have a fantastic experience (understanding that "fantastic experiences" aren't always pleasurable).
10-13-13 | 06:49 AM
#33
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Not worried about some things.
Down jacket: I have the Arcteryx Atom SV. I will never carry down for extended trips. Synthetics are warm when wet and dry out faster. If **** hits the fan, I want synthetics.
Snow Blindness/Visibility/Daylight: Not too worried about this. I have polarized sunglasses and I can schedule in the miles. I like my tent.
Wind and road conditions: Absolutely worried about this. Machka's posts have been especially enlightening. Basically, leaving to "go do the northern tier" is pretty foolish. A better decision is to do a few shorter Northeast tours in midwinter, when I can be rescued by friends and family. I'll try out some different tires, some fenders, and try to get out on all of the sub-zero days. It doesn't get much more brutal than the White Mountains and Upstate NY in the winter, so the northeast will make a fine gauntlet with which to learn winter touring.
I do a lot of snowshoeing and winter backpacking, so I'm familiar with drying stuff out, melting snow, and warming extremities. I would say that if I left today, I'd do it with confidence, but I may have more "Type 2 Fun" than regular fun. That being said, adversity doesn't scare me. It's an adventure! If/when I do the Northern Tier, I hope it's as brutal as possible, since I'll be ready for that.
Down jacket: I have the Arcteryx Atom SV. I will never carry down for extended trips. Synthetics are warm when wet and dry out faster. If **** hits the fan, I want synthetics.
Snow Blindness/Visibility/Daylight: Not too worried about this. I have polarized sunglasses and I can schedule in the miles. I like my tent.
Wind and road conditions: Absolutely worried about this. Machka's posts have been especially enlightening. Basically, leaving to "go do the northern tier" is pretty foolish. A better decision is to do a few shorter Northeast tours in midwinter, when I can be rescued by friends and family. I'll try out some different tires, some fenders, and try to get out on all of the sub-zero days. It doesn't get much more brutal than the White Mountains and Upstate NY in the winter, so the northeast will make a fine gauntlet with which to learn winter touring.
I do a lot of snowshoeing and winter backpacking, so I'm familiar with drying stuff out, melting snow, and warming extremities. I would say that if I left today, I'd do it with confidence, but I may have more "Type 2 Fun" than regular fun. That being said, adversity doesn't scare me. It's an adventure! If/when I do the Northern Tier, I hope it's as brutal as possible, since I'll be ready for that.
10-13-13 | 09:59 AM
#34
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I originally planned to ride around the northeast tackling mountains with alpinist gear. That worked... I did Mt. lafayette and Mt. Lincoln last weekend... but, the logistics of finding places to leave my bike are too difficult to do it further north. Bummer.
Time is the only thing I have. My budget doesn't include a ticket to the southern hemisphere (I wish!).
But yeah, I have plenty of time. I'll tour around here, test out winter gear, and maybe try for a January/February Northern Tier crossing that ends mid-spring.
Time is the only thing I have. My budget doesn't include a ticket to the southern hemisphere (I wish!).
But yeah, I have plenty of time. I'll tour around here, test out winter gear, and maybe try for a January/February Northern Tier crossing that ends mid-spring.
10-13-13 | 04:22 PM
#35
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Funny thing. On a ride, locally last fall I had a link come apart on me. It didn't fully fall apart but I knew I kept hearing something hitting. When I got home I found out I had the chain problems. It can happen. I had always said the same thing you say...it hasn't happened to me. I don't say that anymore. Actually I do typically carry a spare chain with me when I do any trips. Since I live in tax free NH I don't want to have to give up the sales tax if I can save it instead.
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