Jisch
New member
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2008
- Messages
- 315
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After a lesson in humility at the Snip yesterday riding my unstudded bike, I decided I had unfinished business out there. There were a couple of posts for rides on dirt on the various boards, which is fine, but I'm not ready for dirt yet, I didn't get enough winter rides in. I was psyched to get out on the studded bike. The difference between studded and unstudded tires was pretty striking, so relaxed today versus my freaking out about crashing yesterday (which came true way too many times).
Its funny how your perception changes. Yesterday when I didn't have studs on I would have said that 75% or more of the surface was glare ice. Today with studs, it was more like 50%, maybe. There was a lot of compacted snow, some bare spots and some styrofoam on untracked trails. The beauty with the studs on is that I really didn't have to worry about where my front wheel was headed. If anything I aimed for the ice, as it was often the hardest surface and easiest to pedal. I had to walk a few sections that weren't packed down, but for the most part I did a summer-type loop and had a great ride. I passed a few hikers (who all commented that I was crazy or stupid) and met a guy riding an MXer that I used to ride MTB with, good dude.
I came across what I guess I would call a kettle pond - there certainly is no beaver dam. Beautiful smooth shiny surface, couldn't resist doing a few laps, trying to wheelie (unsuccesful mostly) and generally messing around. My homemade studs worked great, I can make the rear tire spin, but the breakaway is completely predictable.
When it was ice it was like this:
And like this:
I finished up just after noon, the snow and ice were starting to soften up, glad I didn't start later than I did.
John
Its funny how your perception changes. Yesterday when I didn't have studs on I would have said that 75% or more of the surface was glare ice. Today with studs, it was more like 50%, maybe. There was a lot of compacted snow, some bare spots and some styrofoam on untracked trails. The beauty with the studs on is that I really didn't have to worry about where my front wheel was headed. If anything I aimed for the ice, as it was often the hardest surface and easiest to pedal. I had to walk a few sections that weren't packed down, but for the most part I did a summer-type loop and had a great ride. I passed a few hikers (who all commented that I was crazy or stupid) and met a guy riding an MXer that I used to ride MTB with, good dude.
I came across what I guess I would call a kettle pond - there certainly is no beaver dam. Beautiful smooth shiny surface, couldn't resist doing a few laps, trying to wheelie (unsuccesful mostly) and generally messing around. My homemade studs worked great, I can make the rear tire spin, but the breakaway is completely predictable.
When it was ice it was like this:
And like this:
I finished up just after noon, the snow and ice were starting to soften up, glad I didn't start later than I did.
John
