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Bicycling beats blues, barelyAndrew | 11 February, 2008 18:32 | (299)
I got a belly full of bad news today. Until recently, I would have gone out for good long run to ruminate and triumph over inertia and other such sufferings… the sort that are easier to understand and overcome. Alas, runs are no longer an option for me (that was part of the bad news), so I settled for a bike ride.It'd been a while since I got out for a winter ride. It's the sort of pleasure that's best enjoyed infrequently, I think. It's only good when the snow conditions are right: packed hard. Any more than a couple inches of fresh snow will bog you down badly. Snow that's been warmed and then frozen solid may be lousy for XC skiing, but it's great for riding. Snowmobile tracks are the best. I still have a set of homemade spiked tires, but I haven't mounted them. They weigh a quarter ton, and chew through inner tubes like a playful dog. Studded tires are nice, I imagine, but you don't really need them just to get out and cruise a while. Regular knobbies get good grip on snow. You just need to watch it when you cross bare ice. You can't try to stop. It won't work, and you will fall down. You can't turn on ice, either. The wheels will skip out, and you will fall down. Cranking up speed on ice is futile, even if you don't fall down, which in all likelihood you will. Keep a straight line, upright posture and a steady cadence and you'll usually make it, unless of course you slip and fall down. FAQ: Could I pull off a 540 backside boneless tailwhip to facesplat on ice? Absolutely, dude. The cool thing about riding on snow (don't be silly, of course it was intended) is that it makes even a relatively mundane outing on familiar trails seem like an adventure. It's also nice how the snow smoothes out all the jarring, lumpy bits. You don't get all muddy, and it doesn't hurt nearly so much when you fall. That said, there is a downside to bicycling in the snow. It's bloody cold. You make your own wind chill, and I've yet to find any reliable way to keep fingers and toes from freezing, though neoprene helps. If anybody has any tips (yes, that one too), please share. Of course, as with any sport, no matter how loony, there are enthusiasts out there on the Internet who will encourage your dementia. This one on ice biking is very informative. I went out along the rail trail and various sidetrack paths. It's too bad I didn't bring my camera along for the ride. I could show people what happens when you take a 4x4 pickup truck out mudding with street tires. (Hint; it's still there). So, having enjoyed a brisk ride and a warm shower, I feel better about things in general, if not so much about my wretched hip. I spent two hours in typical Boston traffic and nearly two hours in a waiting room for a 5-minute chat with a specialist who said the damage is beyond arthroscopic repair. He suggested that I have some other specialist cut me wide open, disconnect the leg bone from the hip bone, tidy up the mess, and then pop them back together. This, he claims, will help postpone the inevitable hip replacement. I think I’m going to need a few more bike rides before I’m cool with that.
I don't blame ya on needing a few more bike rides! I've never been snow biking, but always admire people not afraid to venture out in it. Could you please explain how to get to the rail trail and if there is parking, etc. I just discovered Mine Falls last year and would love to try the rail trail next! Posted by: Carol | February 12, 2008, 11:47
Sure, there's parking off Route 111-A, or just over the line in Mass. The Gilson Road lot was closed last winter, not sure about now.
Hello Andrew: Snow bking out her in New Mexico is somethning I do at teh end of bike season when I'm not willing to quit yet. Riding uphill in snow convices me pretty quick that it's over for the year. One problem you did not list: if it's cold enough, snow will freeze in your cogs & derail your chain. Another: The first tme you put your foot down in teh snow you risk icing up your cleats which makes then incompatible with your pedals. You can spray your shoe bottoms & pedals with silicone, or grease them to prevent this. My favorite time to ride in the snow is after the first 2" or so; it's silent, like XC skiing & wierdly like flying when you can't see a trail . . . but of course, not being able to see the trail has a few risks too. There's one 30 mile high altitude ride I've done twice in these conditions because I always seem to put that one off 'till it's nearly too late. Very sorry to hear about the hip though. Vello News would have us believe that Flandis's surgery was pretty sucsessful, is that the sort of thing you are needing? Posted by: singletrack_mind | February 15, 2008, 16:28
I've never had any trouble with my cogs or cleats, but I've been thinking that swopping out for old school flat pedals might be good for winter riding... I could wear hiking boots to keep my toes warm. Add commentAbout Mesearcharchives
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