Category: bikes

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Back to the Pugs

I spent Friday morning on the Soma with Nokian studs. Last year these tires inspired confidence in their width and grip on ice and snow – especially in mixed conditions. Friday morning was rough. Terrain I would have cruised over on the Pugs slowed me down, had me second guessing my lines, and the (relative) high pressure (25?) and narrow width (2.1!) had me chattering on frozen ground and over frozen post holed trail. It was unnerving and exhausting.

I rode some of the same terrain Saturday morning on the Pugs, and covered all and more Sunday morning again on the Pugs. I’m much more confident on the Pugs – the float of the tires over chop and through mixed conditions is drastic, not to mention the places I could ride with the additional snow that arrived over the last two nights. I didn’t have the bite of the studded Nokians – and I payed for it a few times when the base was frozen and the snow atop simply slid out of my way as I washed out my front wheel several times – but overall it was great to be back on the fatbike. The Soma will get slightly higher gearing and I’ll keep it for fixed winter road duty. With the Pugs in the stable there is little reason to take out ‘skinny’ tires in mixed conditions.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Snow

Finally some sticking snow. 6″ or so overnight to add to our thin base. Light. Fluffy. Sticking to the pines and making a winter wonderland. Longest ride on the Pugs this morning – 12 miles through the Intevale trails, town, and home on the lakefront bike path. Breaking trail, adjusting tire pressure. Fidgeting with the bars and the controls.

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Pugsley

Pugsley came home yesterday. Still have to tweak it… but the short review after 2 short rides on 4-6″ of fresh snow:

Interesting in the woods. Fast(ish) on the stamped down bike path. Fun on the beach. I have much to learn about tire pressure for varying conditions. Yesterday I was running 15 psi. Great for pavement and hardpack. Not so good in the woods. Today I ran 8-10. Much better on fluff. Slower on the hardpack. Gearing is also a puzzle. Haven’t figured out how to climb short steep stuff just yet. Traction + front to back balance + power…

It isn’t as heavy as I thought.
Slight uphill, in fresh snow, in a headwind is work!
Bouncy bouncy bouncy on those tires. Too fun.

Some improvements I will make:

Trigger shifters have to go! No room in there for heavy gloves, or lobster mitts. Thumbies with bar ends will replace them.
I’ll probably swap my Mr. Whirly from the Soma for the stock crank.
Bars and controls need adjustment. Will move to a 110 stem.
Will try with H-bars or maybe the Soma Odin I’ve run on the SS.
When my Lake’s arrive I may move my Time pedals over, after I get a feel for the handling.
Going to sew up a set of pogies this winter.
Add a spare single speed freewheel to the front… (wish it was stock with a fixed hub…)
Winterize the BB, framesaver everything.

Long term:
Gain some winter skills and fitness.
Whole different world than pushing the studded SS around.
Alfine 8 or 11 rear wheel.
Lose the FD if possible.
Custom frame bag to match my Epic harness and seatbag.

Too fun. Wish I’d done this years ago. Cannot wait for more snow. Now to plan an S24O to a lean to…