ViperZ

Tonight marks for me that winter riding has officially begun. I mounted the studs onto my commuter this evening. It has been snowing off an on all week, however I have been pushing it with the slicks, as most days the snow will melt away during the day. I think it is here to stay now until April 2008.

I hope everyone enjoys a good season of Cold Weather Riding! Be safe and warm


The Studs down from the rafters and mounted.


This was from a ride last night with regular knobbies.

Portis

Yep. It's getting closer. Even though highs were in the 70's today, we have our first forecast for snow this week, and the temps are finally going to get cold. My studded tires hang mounted up all year in the garage. I just need to pull them down and slap them on the bike.

ViperZ

^^^ It has been threatening to snow here lots. We have been getting it, but then it melts somewhat during the day, then turns to bumpy ice rink like conditions in the evening and morning.



This was from my ride home tonight. Sorry for the picture quality, however I wanted to be sure I was in control while taking shots. It sort of captures what's to come...


Heading up Broadway Bridge


On the bridge, it's not as icy or rutted as it was coming down it this morning


Still on the bridge with full flash

KrisA

Studs went on for a 2 hour training ride on black ice on Sunday, off on Monday as the roads are now dry. I just can't stand riding my studs on dry pavement. Winter is here though, I've given up on any more mountain bike rides for the year. Oh well, next year I've got a 2008 Rocky Mountain Element70 to look forward to...

naisme

OMG!!! YOU GUYS ARE SOOOOO LUCKY!!!! It might snow here this afternoon, but not stick. I don't have my Nokians any more, hope to need some soon.

ViperZ

Awesome on the new Element! I love that bike already


It was a icy commute this morning

ViperZ

That's a great attitude... Hats off to you!

I remember heading out for a back country hiking/camping trip to the Rockies in October, some co-workers ask, "Aren't you worried about it being cold and snowy?" The response from one of my fellow hikers was "We can only hope"

filtersweep

Nice photos--- what camera are you using?

I have an extra wheel set with some Nokian Extremes--- just waiting for snow that will never come. We have had very thick frost covering everything, so I am off the road bike and commuting on the mountain bike. I love the cold weather---- much fewer fellow commuters clogging up the locker room at work.

pinkrobe

First ride in the snow this season - it went fine, although it will take time to get used to the weight of studded tires. My legs are going to be HUGE by the end of winter...

mercator

Ditto, my snow bike feels like a tank. Good to know you are building more than just character though

Tequila Joe

First studded tire of the season today. It was a huge difference going from 23mm Fortezza Tri Comps at 120 psi to 2.0" Nokian Extremes at 40 psi. I was sickly slow today.

2manybikes

I miss the snow and ice too, it's going to be 60F + on Thanksgiving day.


Good thing about riding Baileys trike so much. My snow bike does not feel slow !!!

pinkrobe

Fo shizzo my hizzo! I didn't bother to change the gearing on the SS - I'm now running a 77" gear compared to 74" with 23C tires. The first really big dump we have is going to involve a walk of shame - I can feel it already...

jimmibudd

no real snow here yet.... in winterpeg.... cold, but dry streets...
i overhauled my winter beater (a 91 cannondale mtb) it has been converted to a SS, had bearings replaced, new cables, pads... added the studs and cleaned it up... it sits ther looking at my like a guilty puppy, wanting to be ridden....
i can't wait for the hardpacked snow... love the sound of the studs on hardpack.... hate it on concrete!

jB

ViperZ

Thanks, I use a Nikon 5700 and a Canon SD400. Dark Winter cycling does have a special appeal to be sure

ViperZ

It's a good conditioner


I sure was slogging on the ride into work today. Temperature was -20C, which isn't bad, however I think it was the combination of new snow fall slowing my roll, and the North headwind pushing me back. My regular coast was a slug fest aerobic work out


This is a shot of our River on the way home from work. The Traffic Bridge is Lit Green in Celebration of the Riders wining the Grey Cup


Temp was -23C on the way home. Ice flows are forming in the South Saskatchewan River.

maximushq2

Nice ViperZ. I just placed an order for some studded Nokian Tires so I can have some fun this winter too. I used to just give up on biking once the snow and ice got bad, but this year I don't want to stop riding. I also bought some warmer clothing that should get me through the winter including boots, and new pedals etc. I'm gonna use my older GT mountain bike this winter and save my newer bikes from the road salt. The GT, while old, is in perfect running condition so it should hold up ok. Still trying to figure out what kind of fenders I should get. Will the mountain bike fenders that clip in or use quick release hold up in winter?

ViperZ

I'm not sure how well they would hold up. I suppose it would depend on your riding conditions and how often you ride. My conditions are more to the extreme, and seeing as I ride everyday, I use bolt on Freddy Fenders.

2manybikes

Great photo! and people wonder, why ride in the winter time! ?!?

Cosmoline

We got winter, then lost it, then got it again, then lost everything but some ice and hard snow. Weird year. But I've been getting a lot of riding in and did some upgrades on Fram

ViperZ

For the crazy solitude And Picture opportunities

ViperZ

Some years are like that... For the last few years we have not been getting the crazy -40C temps for weeks on end like we always use to get, in turn we just get lots of snow, and a week or so of -36C.

Good Winter Rig!

ViperZ

It has been snowing all day today, as such I expected a slog ride home, but it wasn't too bad. A bit of front time snow planing here and there, but nothing too crazy. It was a nice ride home, and I took a few pictures for comparison form yesterday. These are more snap shots for posterity, sorry for the blurriness of some of them.


Even though the bike is in a covered compound, it still had a light dusting of snow. That Specialized has been there since fall. Somebody has left it unlocked and it was actually tipped over in the middle of the rack. I moved it there out of the way and for safer keeping.


Lights Fired Up, ready to roll


Ride down 4th Avenue, traffic is less at 6:30


Ice Flows have built up since yesterday. The snow in the sky is a nice effect


Self Portrait


The river is already starting to freeze over on the left side


The Rig

Ride Temperature home was -20C

CastIron

My studs went on this morning. *sniff*

tjspiel

Took out my MTB with studded tires for a tune-up commute before the snow and ice comes. Transitioned from road bike with 23c tires. Added 10 or 15 minutes to my 30 minute ride and I was working hard. Yuck.

Seriously thinking about looking for an old hybrid/cross bike and adding drop bars. Probably not this year though. I'm sure my time will improve a tad after I get used to the different riding position, - at least when the roads are good. I might also try one of those "Winter" tires that Conti came out with to see if they roll a bit better without giving up too much on the ice.