Vermont to Switzerland
Much more rideable today… but still not ideal. Did pass a few skiers, and spent some time walking where the path drifted in. 4-5 psi did the trick and made a huge difference from the 8 I started the morning with.
Lots of fresh snow last night – 9-10″. Slow going, but I had to see how / where I could ride. It was almost easier to ride where no one had walked or skied…
The marks to the left and right of my track are from my pedals.
Probably put in 6 miles tops. 1/2 on the lakefront path and in the woods, then I bailed to local streets to get home and do my core / back strengthening routine of shoveling out. I started off with 8 psi in the tires and was down to maybe 4 by the time I took to the street. I should have added air – it was pretty slow going on the pavement.
Snaps from this morning. Front line moving in. Started snowing when I was out. Did some laps in the woods – single track and some techy stuff. Fun to ride trails while running lights in the dark.
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.
Home built mini rink, neighbors across the street.
~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.
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.
Been down with a cold / sinus / throat bug. Finally got out for a short cruise along the lake. Warm temps, wet snow.
~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 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.
