What winter?
02-14-17, 03:42 PM
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What winter?
I finally swapped out my 2.1 tires for the new Surly Extraterrestrial in 29 x 2.5, which I thought would help in the snow. They ride smooth, quiet, and comfortable, though the only challenge I have had with them so far is riding through 4-inch deep soft, wet mud. It is above 50 F today and heading to the 60s this weekend...not that I am complaining! 
02-15-17, 07:55 AM
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I put a new studded tire on my winter bike the third week of January here in MN and the bike hasn't been out of the garage yet for the initial 25 mile "set the studs" ride. The summer/road bike is sure racking up the miles though. :-)
02-16-17, 03:12 AM
#3
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This season has actually been somewhat of a disappointment for me, I love riding when there's a little snow on the ground and I'm better prepared for winter riding than ever, but have only had a handful of days where I actually needed the equipment. There has been essentially no snow where I live - we have relatively mild, dry winters compared to most of the country to begin with, but according the weather data we've been getting less than half of our historical precipitation/snowfall totals per month since October.
Feels too good to be true, like we're going to get buried by a blizzard with record snowfall sometime in March...
Feels too good to be true, like we're going to get buried by a blizzard with record snowfall sometime in March...
02-16-17, 01:42 PM
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02-16-17, 01:46 PM
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02-16-17, 05:11 PM
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Yup, winter has been kind of a bust so far in MN. I'm to blame because I bought a fat bike in December.
The good is that we've only had a couple of real cold snaps (single digit F. and below zero kind of stuff). I don't mind riding from the mid teens F and up and so there's been lots of good riding temps. And the freeze thaw from the milder temp has made studded tires worthwhile for me.
But snow, the reason I bought the fat bike? Not so much.
May get warm enough this weekend to bike in shorts.
The good is that we've only had a couple of real cold snaps (single digit F. and below zero kind of stuff). I don't mind riding from the mid teens F and up and so there's been lots of good riding temps. And the freeze thaw from the milder temp has made studded tires worthwhile for me.
But snow, the reason I bought the fat bike? Not so much.
May get warm enough this weekend to bike in shorts.
02-16-17, 07:56 PM
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Yeah - we definitely had a lot of freeze-thaw ice around here. I had two good months with the studs, and enough cold snaps to bring out the actual winter gear (unlike the last two years...)
They're predicting highs in the high 50s for the next few days, which just isn't right for this time of year. Hopefully we do get zapped by a nice March blizzard.
They're predicting highs in the high 50s for the next few days, which just isn't right for this time of year. Hopefully we do get zapped by a nice March blizzard.
02-17-17, 09:33 AM
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58 and sunny here tomorrow. I am SO riding - I've been in this terrible slump, and squandered a lot of great riding opportunities already. But I swear to God I'm going out this weekend, at least 20 miles just to get "back in the saddle".
02-17-17, 09:55 AM
#10
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I finally swapped out my 2.1 tires for the new Surly Extraterrestrial in 29 x 2.5, which I thought would help in the snow. They ride smooth, quiet, and comfortable, though the only challenge I have had with them so far is riding through 4-inch deep soft, wet mud. It is above 50 F today and heading to the 60s this weekend...not that I am complaining!
02-17-17, 05:08 PM
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Oh, the price we will pay in April and May for these "way above average" days in February.
02-21-17, 09:45 AM
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As I can tell you from my winter cycling experience(it's been 6 years already), it's a lot of fun! A long time ago I could not undeerstand
people on the bikes during winter, they looked so insane and so cold!!) But once I went to North Dacota to visit my cousine
and got kinda shocked when found out that he was really big fan of going on a winter cycling. After couple days I decided to
give ita try for an hour and simply fell in love with it!!! Now I can't imagine my life without putting winter tires
on my bike every November. So, I would love to give you following advice: as colder outside, as more fun it is. If you are a little
afraid to try you can get aquainted with the following article https://bestadviser.net/features/top-...inter-cycling/
and start liking it as hard as I do!
people on the bikes during winter, they looked so insane and so cold!!) But once I went to North Dacota to visit my cousine
and got kinda shocked when found out that he was really big fan of going on a winter cycling. After couple days I decided to
give ita try for an hour and simply fell in love with it!!! Now I can't imagine my life without putting winter tires
on my bike every November. So, I would love to give you following advice: as colder outside, as more fun it is. If you are a little
afraid to try you can get aquainted with the following article https://bestadviser.net/features/top-...inter-cycling/
and start liking it as hard as I do!
Last edited by fast_rider; 02-21-17 at 12:29 PM.
02-21-17, 12:39 PM
#15
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Where are you riding through 4 inches of mud? Here in MA where we ride, that kind of behavior will trash the trails for the whole season.
Last edited by Leebo; 02-21-17 at 12:43 PM.
03-02-17, 12:17 PM
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It has been a weird winter, but then so have the previous 10 or so. Less than a week ago, we had a tremendous rain storm that shut down our small city's airport and yesterday, a tremendous snow storm (howling wind, 30cm/12in snow) and today, it started with a temp of -18C/0F but tomorrow will be colder. During the drive home yesterday at about 5:30pm, the snow was falling and snowing so hard, it was intermittent whiteout conditions but during one segment of the drive, up a hill, I saw a poor fellow with his fat bike, pushing it up the hill because the snow was too deep on the sidewalks (and I would also say that the road conditions would have been dangerous for a cyclist given the amount of slippery snow on the road and visibility).
Today, however, a number of the sidewalks that I cycle on when I cycle to work in the winter, were plowed and with the cold temperatures, the remaining snow was hard enough to support a bicycle without it sinking into it. However, snowplowing of sidewalks and paths in this city (Sudbury, Ontario, Canada) is not normally good enough to depend on so I chose not to cycle today. Pity, it would have been fun to ride in the cold.
Today, however, a number of the sidewalks that I cycle on when I cycle to work in the winter, were plowed and with the cold temperatures, the remaining snow was hard enough to support a bicycle without it sinking into it. However, snowplowing of sidewalks and paths in this city (Sudbury, Ontario, Canada) is not normally good enough to depend on so I chose not to cycle today. Pity, it would have been fun to ride in the cold.
03-02-17, 04:32 PM
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And I just had a conversation with my wife about busting the road bikes out this weekend and doing 40+ miles. Supposed to be 60°F+ this coming Sunday here. The winter has been weak.
03-16-17, 04:51 PM
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Winter cycling
I'm now 57 going on 58 and many of you will chuckle when I tell you that I hadn't been on a cycle since I was a youngster. So my family were taken back when I said I "need a bike"! My wife bless her bought me one and to be fair it looked alright I was well chuffed with a mountain bike that ticked all the boxes. It looked well smart so I set out with a quick trip round the block about a thousand yards if that. When I landed back I thought gas and air would come in handy! As it was mid summer I set about increasing the distance and so it's gone on.
With winter approaching I didn't give to much thought to "gear" but I did vow to get the bike out whatever the weather and ride it I've called it my cardio days Mon, Wed,and Friday. I've landed back with cold feet wet feet and cold all over. So I've learnt fast wrap up water proof boots and socks and like an earlier poster has aid it's good fun. Now with winter behind us I've no fears of what the sky can throw down or the winds in the face I relish the three mornings and feel blessed that I'm not only still able to ride a bike I can enjoy the challenge of improving. I have to say though being back in the fingerless gloves has been nice.
With winter approaching I didn't give to much thought to "gear" but I did vow to get the bike out whatever the weather and ride it I've called it my cardio days Mon, Wed,and Friday. I've landed back with cold feet wet feet and cold all over. So I've learnt fast wrap up water proof boots and socks and like an earlier poster has aid it's good fun. Now with winter behind us I've no fears of what the sky can throw down or the winds in the face I relish the three mornings and feel blessed that I'm not only still able to ride a bike I can enjoy the challenge of improving. I have to say though being back in the fingerless gloves has been nice.
03-17-17, 10:18 AM
#21
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I'm now 57 going on 58 and many of you will chuckle when I tell you that I hadn't been on a cycle since I was a youngster. So my family were taken back when I said I "need a bike"! My wife bless her bought me one and to be fair it looked alright I was well chuffed with a mountain bike that ticked all the boxes. It looked well smart so I set out with a quick trip round the block about a thousand yards if that. When I landed back I thought gas and air would come in handy! As it was mid summer I set about increasing the distance and so it's gone on.
With winter approaching I didn't give to much thought to "gear" but I did vow to get the bike out whatever the weather and ride it I've called it my cardio days Mon, Wed,and Friday. I've landed back with cold feet wet feet and cold all over. So I've learnt fast wrap up water proof boots and socks and like an earlier poster has aid it's good fun. Now with winter behind us I've no fears of what the sky can throw down or the winds in the face I relish the three mornings and feel blessed that I'm not only still able to ride a bike I can enjoy the challenge of improving. I have to say though being back in the fingerless gloves has been nice.
With winter approaching I didn't give to much thought to "gear" but I did vow to get the bike out whatever the weather and ride it I've called it my cardio days Mon, Wed,and Friday. I've landed back with cold feet wet feet and cold all over. So I've learnt fast wrap up water proof boots and socks and like an earlier poster has aid it's good fun. Now with winter behind us I've no fears of what the sky can throw down or the winds in the face I relish the three mornings and feel blessed that I'm not only still able to ride a bike I can enjoy the challenge of improving. I have to say though being back in the fingerless gloves has been nice.
03-17-17, 11:14 AM
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think I'm gonna try these powerline trails Saturday. we had a big snow storm after this picture but there were blizzard winds so probably still as bare as seen here. temps Saturday might get up to the high 30s (warm!) been itching to ride some new gravel tires (no spikes). more snow to the area Sunday but daughter going back to school & don't want to miss kissing her goodbye. the powerlines go on forever so I can rack up as much time/miles as I want or am able. just have to remember where I got on! 
03-17-17, 12:56 PM
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I'm now 57 going on 58 and many of you will chuckle when I tell you that I hadn't been on a cycle since I was a youngster. So my family were taken back when I said I "need a bike"! My wife bless her bought me one and to be fair it looked alright I was well chuffed with a mountain bike that ticked all the boxes. It looked well smart so I set out with a quick trip round the block about a thousand yards if that. When I landed back I thought gas and air would come in handy! As it was mid summer I set about increasing the distance and so it's gone on.
With winter approaching I didn't give to much thought to "gear" but I did vow to get the bike out whatever the weather and ride it I've called it my cardio days Mon, Wed,and Friday. I've landed back with cold feet wet feet and cold all over. So I've learnt fast wrap up water proof boots and socks and like an earlier poster has aid it's good fun. Now with winter behind us I've no fears of what the sky can throw down or the winds in the face I relish the three mornings and feel blessed that I'm not only still able to ride a bike I can enjoy the challenge of improving. I have to say though being back in the fingerless gloves has been nice.
With winter approaching I didn't give to much thought to "gear" but I did vow to get the bike out whatever the weather and ride it I've called it my cardio days Mon, Wed,and Friday. I've landed back with cold feet wet feet and cold all over. So I've learnt fast wrap up water proof boots and socks and like an earlier poster has aid it's good fun. Now with winter behind us I've no fears of what the sky can throw down or the winds in the face I relish the three mornings and feel blessed that I'm not only still able to ride a bike I can enjoy the challenge of improving. I have to say though being back in the fingerless gloves has been nice.
03-17-17, 01:02 PM
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I'm really hanging my head in shame this year, I've not gotten out at all since December, and it was such a mild winter - a true waste of a gold opportunity. I'm not 100% sure what my problem is, but frankly, I think it really borders on some kind of depression - I just can't find my enthusiasm for cycling when I think about it being dark, cold, and how tired I feel. I was ALWAYS like you in the past winters, no matter what, I was committed and got out there, and I loved it.
03-17-17, 01:10 PM
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try buying something. doesn't have to be big. even just an accessory may help get you on the bike again. walking in to an LBS & smelling the scents of clothing, neoprene, rubber & axle grease might help. also eavesdropping someone else's convo might get you interested again