Winter riding

Winter riding tips

bradmcnutt said:
Anybody use toe and hand warmers. Costco sells a nice big box of them.
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Ice/Winter riding rules...have found over many years that the best set up is:

Winter boots and gloves, with hand warmers in both (toe warmers are too thin..put a hand warmer on TOP of your toes in the "toe box" area of the boot). I have Sidi Storms, but the Lakes are good too.

Studded tires (I run Nokian 29ers), but only if ice is in the mix. A good pair of mud tires/aggressively treaded tires will do fine too in snow with no ice.

Time pedals. Nuff said...no need for flats if you're runnin' ATACS

if you're riding FS, turn rebound to full fast. Shock packs up too quickly on choppy stuff.

If it's REAL cold (e.g. sub 10 degrees F), ride rigid if you got it...shock oil doesn't like cold

Run gears....most of the time, snow conditions are too variable for SS and it's difficult to maintain momentum, especially in soft conditions

The best places for ice/snow riding are usually the smaller/less hilly parks..6 mile, Lew Mo, Patriot's, KVSP, though we've had some awesome days at Ringwood and Allamuchy, too.

After a dump of snow greater than 6", wait till foot traffic packs it down before riding.

If it snows heavy, then gets warm/rains the next day, then gets freezing cold the day after, it's STUDS ON and you've got the parks to yourself.......I had Ringwood to myself on winter day in late '90's...no one, no hikers, no nobody...all the fire roads were frozen rivers of solid ice

If it's gonna warm up past 35 in the day and there's snow on the ground...get out early (doh!).

try night riding on snow on a moonlit night. No lights needed 😉
 
icebiker said:
Run gears....most of the time, snow conditions are too variable for SS and it's difficult to maintain momentum, especially in soft conditions
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I hear you, iceman. but the frozen muck wreaks evil havoc on my derailleurs and cassette... While I do have an internal-geared 29er wheel (8-spd Alfine) with sealed cables that works great in messy conditions; I still prefer the simplicity of the SS whenever possible. (I'm always glad just to be out there, and I typically ride snow at a constant speed...slow)

Peace,
BB
 
Went to Campmoor yesterday and happy to say I'm set for winter riding. As long as I can keep my feet warm I'm good. The hardest part will be getting out there...
 
BikeBen: That video of yours has to be the funniest thing I have seen all this week, and this week has been very stressful for me.

Got the gloves, got the boots, got the socks, got the 'bank robber' mask, just need the arm and leg warmers!!
 
smufguy said:
BikeBen: That video of yours has to be the funniest thing I have seen all this week, and this week has been very stressful for me.

Got the gloves, got the boots, got the socks, got the 'bank robber' mask, just need the arm and leg warmers!!
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What shoes you wearing? Are you going with an SPD winter shoe or flats and boots?
 
smufguy said:
got the 'bank robber' mask, just need the arm and leg warmers!!
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keep in mind that arm and leg warmers won't be enough on the really cold days, but they are good for the middle temps. I would say they limit you to somewhere in the 30's on the mtb.

Also, masks are one things I could never get used to, even when it is extremely cold, too constricting for me, feel like I can't breath. Last year I got a neck gator with windstopper from EMS and it works well to cover you neck and you can pull it up to your nose when needed and push it down if you need some air.
 
stb222 said:
Also, masks are one things I could never get used to, even when it is extremely cold, too constricting for me, feel like I can't breath. Last year I got a neck gator with windstopper from EMS and it works well to cover you neck and you can pull it up to your nose when needed and push it down if you need some air.
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I have a thin Nike mask that I got at Planet bike about 5 years ago. Its thin enough to fit under my helmet without any major adjustments. The face part is also strechy enough that I can leave my face exposed or pull it up to cover my nose and mouth.
 
I would like to get recommendations for something to wear under the helmet on really cold days. Last couple of years I was wearing an old Soviet Airborne soft helmet. That is what I wear for skiing. But I have been really getting into early morning rides, so I need to have my helmet light with me.

I was thinking of a skull cap or something, but any suggestions are welcomed.
 
olegbabich said:
I would like to get recommendations for something to wear under the helmet on really cold days...I was thinking of a skull cap or something, but any suggestions are welcomed.
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You have three options that will fit under a helmet; Headband, skull cap, and balaclava. The headband protects the ears. The skullcap covers ears and head. The balaclava is like a snug-fitting hoodie. I covers the head and fits under the collar of your jersey or jacket. there will be a cut out for your face.

the balaclava is the trickiest to get right. Each brand/style fits differently. The shape and tightness of the face cut-out may take soem getting used to.
 
How you dress for the winter is going to be trial and error. Last year when it first started to get cold I dressed in the same amount of garb that I did if I was going out when it was 20* out. I would come home completely soaked in sweat. I got things pretty dialed as the winter pressed on.

Two accessories for cold weather riding that I think you cant have enough of is headgear and gloves. I often will ride with another pair of gloves and something else to put on my head as I warm up.

Gore, Giordana, and castelli all have some pretty sweet stuff.

The newest piece of gear I picked up which is perfect for this time of weather is this:

It is great when paired up with your summer base layers.
 
ArmyOfNone said:
I would come home completely soaked in sweat.
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This is important to avoid. Because soaking wet at 45 degrees feels about the same as dry and 25 degrees. So you really want to avoid overdressing. But it certainly is trial and error.
 
If you're soaked and your life is in eminent danger, you can strip down naked and do some push-ups. Bear Grylls does it all the time in Man vs Wild.
 
olegbabich said:
I would like to get recommendations for something to wear under the helmet on really cold days. Last couple of years I was wearing an old Soviet Airborne soft helmet. That is what I wear for skiing. But I have been really getting into early morning rides, so I need to have my helmet light with me.

I was thinking of a skull cap or something, but any suggestions are welcomed.
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This:

http://www.ramseyoutdoor.com/product/pid-1040/index.aspx

Its awesome. Keeps me warm under my motorcycle helmet throughout the winter.
 
another thing people forget in the winter is a place to keep dry stuff. i usually go out with two sets of gloves and two balaclavas. if i have to peel off some wet ones they go in the bag on the bottom. there is room for a whole jacket if needed in there. riding without the camel back in the winter is nice. your back dosent sweat and make you cold. as a mater of fact i have ditched it all together.
 

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