prairiepedaler

After more than 5 months on, today was the day the studs came off and a non-studded interim tire set was put on. Man, does that feel good now. Deep winter riders know the feeling!

MNBikeCommuter

Exactly! I've started a two-phase approach--rear first when streets are mostly bare pavement and the sun is getting stronger---Feb time frame, and then the front whenever it feels right. I did that too early this year and had to drag out the studded front again for a couple more weeks in March. It's back to the summer slick. It feels like taking about 10-15 years off the legs.

gecho

I'm going to take my studded tires off today. There is snow forecast for Wednesday but with the temperatures I wouldn't expect anything more than slush on the paths and probably nothing on the roads.

gecho

Snow forecast for Wednesday has been bumped up to 4"+ . I may have to schedule that as a rest day, though my fat bike is still in the garage ready to go, but I did clean the drivetrain in anticipation of moving it to the basement for the summer. I've ridden 40 days in a row as of today so I could use a break next week. 1900 km since the last non-riding day, averaging 47 km a day over that period. Riding without studs today sure was nice.

canalligators

I have a dedicated bike for winter, so no tire changes. Last weekend, I power washed my winter bike and put it away. It does its job, and the tires bite well, but those Ice Spiker tires are the slowest tires ever!

Daniel4

I switched bikes ten days ago. Last week, gave the winter bikes a wash.

Now I have to change back to all seasons on my car.

prairiepedaler

Indeed - it's like itch you can finally scratch.

prairiepedaler

As winter riders we don't ride, we trudge.

storckm

Last spring, my derailleur froze from salt. So after I lubricated it and got it working again, I built an old frame into a fixed gear winter commuter: fenders, lights, rack, no derailleur. I hung it up for the year. My son still has his studded tires on--a vain hope at this point.

gecho

It was definitely studded tire conditions this evening when the snow stopped. As the temperature dropped the slush quickly became a soft ice. I was going to ride in the park to avoid the slush, but the roads weren't even wet so I rode there where at least it was packed down. It looks like it will be like this for 2 more days, so I'll be using the fat bike which is always setup for winter. I almost put it in the basement last weekend.

MNBikeCommuter

We got 4-5" of snow overnight Saturday after they waffled on anywhere from nothing to 8". But the roads were warm and it never accumulated there. Everything was mostly gone by noon. I had anticipated needing the winter bike with fenders (and slicks) but took the summer bike out instead. Today's system is all rain here. I like to think we've moved past winter now.

gecho

We had a really quick melt even though the temperatures barely crept above freezing. I could have gone without studs yesterday. Today the roads were mostly dry and it was nice to enjoy the silence again.

rumrunn6

too many bikes? too many family obligations pulling me away? finally got some free days off? regardless, mine are finally off as well

did the regular bi-annual, 2-tube, patch check. all appears well, so back in they go!



everything checks out in the parking lot, so I guess a ride is in order

rumrunn6

the road bike still has bar mitts on

MNBikeCommuter

You wouldn't need them here this weekend. Beginning of Sept and we're supposed to hit 101F on Sunday, the hottest day of the year. Labor Day might break a record for hottest Labor Day on record too. My bike rides will be in the morning since it's the weekend.

Last Friday we were mid-90s and humid for that ride. The next morning, 60F. I had to find some cold weather gear!