Blackberry

I woke up this morning, and there sure weren't any cotton fields a-bloomin. Wha' Happened? (Not that we actually have much cotton here in Virginia)

2manybikes

Nice photo. I put my bike inside, but meanwhile, up north in Rhode Island .....

hi565

What part of Ri is that?

2manybikes

This NOT today, it's just a picture I had from the last big storm, the photo says the 21st of January, The first big one. This is East Providence, I'm only about one hour and twenty minutes from you. I had a friend for many years in your town, it looks like it would be nice bike riding. I did a group ride once starting in Needham and going your way, it was fantastic. It looped back across the Charles a couple of times where they were doing some kayaking .. It was a long ride.

Blackberry

Are you getting slammed tonight? Forcast said it was heading north.

2manybikes

Tonight
Snow..heavy at times. Snow may mix with sleet and rain for a time after midnight. Snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches. Windy with lows in the upper 20s. Temperature rising into the lower 30s after midnight. Northeast winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.

I wouldn't say slammed, not a giant storm ,but plenty of snow should be some drifts. Shoveling in the morning I think. I think the snow is going to be very heavy to lift.
...............yeah, OK ...........slammed!~

cdale56

This is my attempt at off road snow riding during that same storm

2manybikes

It's the THOUGHT that counts.

A+ effort.
A+ attitude
B+ Good photo
C- knowing your own strength.

After riding in about 6" of wet snow and practically killing myself in a short distance a certain bike
"Expert" in my area decided to show me how it's done. He charged the snow from the pavement and
had no idea how fast he was going to stop. Sometimes you just need to have that camera ready.

I'll have some photos tomorrow for you. Bring the camera if you go for a ride?

bostontrevor

"The charge" is the right technique but you need to know what the snow's like first, shift your weight back, and pop the front wheel as you go in. If you're lucky that'll let you start bucking your way through the white stuff. And if you're unlucky you stick that wheel and end up on your back in said white stuff.

I was charging across some uncleared stuff on my way home Monday night. Snow up to the hubs, it's wicked cool when your bike makes like a snow blower and starts shooting powder two feet out the front fork. Makes a guy feel badass.

cdale56

My daughter took that picture from the house.

I had just finished shoveling, the snow suddenly stopped and since the roads looked bad, I tried to ride around the yard. The snow was higher than my hubs and drivetrain and I could not break the snow ahead and just spun the rear wheel. I got about 2-3 inches before I gave up.

20 days to spring!

Blackberry

Hope you had low gears

2manybikes

At least your daughter will cooperate with you.

Depending on the consistency of the snow and your tires, with a mountain bike, knobbies, a consistent covering, and riding steadily through the snow without a break 6" is possible but a great deal of work. 4" is OK but you can't go as far as normal. 3" is just right. At speed you can blast through much deeper spots and over them too. On the road, with a road bike with thin tires, if you are careful about the balance, deeper snow is a lot less effort. If the surface under the snow is uneven and possibly icy the road bike is lot of concentration to stay up.

The best conditions are below freezing and powder snow. Above freezing as the snow gets wet it becomes harder pedaling. After a re- freeze with a frozen crust, if you stay on top it's great. But usually you brake through the crust and almost stop. The studded tires allow you to look for a frozen section for low rolling resistance and good traction. Packed hard snow like a road that was not plowed down to the pavement is great for speed and traction, with knobbies. Watch for ice until you get your studded tires.

cdale56: If you are not far from the Kingston path, that would very nice if you get there before it has been walked on too much.

2manybikes

Some guys have all the fun

I didn't make it last night but I have all day off today. I will have some of the fun.

cdale56

Yes, it looks like it will be a nice day to ride,

Not that bad down here

2manybikes

Bring the camera if you can!