Home built mini rink, neighbors across the street.
Warm, Skinny
~43 miles on the skinny tire IF. Snow is melting and the roads were clear of ice. Narrow 28s, no studs, knickers, and minimal layering.
Fast Snow
Warm temps during the day dipping below freezing over night + skiers and walkers out have made the local trails pretty quick. Had a blast yesterday and today riding a mix of ski trail and single track out the back door.
The Lakes are a holiday present from my sweeties. Wishing I’d had picked these up years ago. So comfortable. So warm. I’ve returned to riding clipped in after having to wear winter boots with platforms to keep my frozen toes somewhat warm. Can’t wait to get on the fixed gear again in the cold… and these will come in handy with our early brevets and training next year.
Snaps
Been down with a cold / sinus / throat bug. Finally got out for a short cruise along the lake. Warm temps, wet snow.
For Michelle
~29 miles on the Pugsley. No bike pics. 😉 Met my two sweethearts for some sledding, then lunch, then a cold ride home along the lake.
More
More Pugsley riding. Tougher day out. Fresh snow was trampled and the temps dropped. Blown and drifting areas were hike a bike. Great moon, warm sunlight when I got down to the beach.
Fresh
Fresh snow overnight. Riding the Pugsley is eating flourless chocolate cake covered in awesome sauce followed by sipping a cappuccino in a tiny cafe in Florence.
I made first tracks pretty much everywhere I went this morning. Challenging in a few spots – wind blown drifts a foot deep across the trail… but overall a good ride. There was some hike a bike up the steeps and through some deeps. Dropped to 6 PSI in the tires. The low pressure really settled down the steering on choppy trail covered in fluff.
Lake and Wind
Short windy ride out into Lake Champlain via the Causeway. Headwind on the way out made it slow going. I’ve had to zip-tie my Ixon IQ closed. Still working – but I doubt it will keep water out.
Padding
Garage door seal makes a great first layer for thickening up the padding on bars. Early in the day while moving some boxes in the garage the remnant of a former home improvement project tumbled to the floor. Later that night I was debating opening up a new pack of bar tape only to have it disappear under a double wrap. I looked down to see the answer right under foot. I electric taped a piece of the door sealer to the bars, then bar wrapped over the top. So far its quite comfortable.
SS(s)DD
Same Spot(s), Different Day
~12-13 miles on the Pug this morning.
1/3 of those miles re-breaking trail over postholed / skied over / dog walked fields.
Full body workout – aerobic to keep moving in the snow. Upper body / core keeping the bike moving in the right direction. Anaerobic dieseling up the steep(er) stuff. Starting to figure out climbing. Gear down, keep the weight centered over the bike. Front wheel needs just enough weight to keep it tracking straight, rear wheel needs traction. Unless on hardpack standing doesn’t work.
