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Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

491.0. "ATB Snow riding?" by WILVAX::GAZZARA (Ben) Wed Oct 28 1987 16:38

                           -< Better than a sled? >-
    
    
        Does anyone have any experience riding their ATB on packed snow?
    I am looking forward to riding on many snomobile trails that are
    created near my house every winter.  It may sound crazy but know
    there is such a thing as ATB racing on packed snow (I think it was
    in Alaska).  I just can't stop riding!!!
    
    
    
                                                    Mike
    
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491.1snow riding, Yeah. Snowmobile trails, NeaAQUA::OCONNORAllergic to MondaysThu Oct 29 1987 11:3113
    Hi,
    
    I love riding my ATB in snow.  It is great fun.  Just make sure
    you're well padded, in case you slip on ice.  I don't know how careful
    snowmobiles are where you live but around here (Eastern Mass) I stay 
    out of areas where they are likely to show up.  Also you need to
    dress for walking in snow as you may have to push the beast, sometimes
    no tire can provide you with traction.
    
    
    Have fun
    
    Joe
491.2Two wheel sledding.WILVAX::GAZZARABenThu Oct 29 1987 13:2010
    Thanks for the advice.  I thought about riding my ATB in the street
    but I think I'd have better traction than most cars in the snow, well,
    at least more control and I'm not fond of the idea of becoming a hood
    ornament.  I'm wondering, though, if the tires can get enough traction
    in snow that is fresh (not packed).  I guess I'll just have to
    experiment this winter.  Happy riding...or should I say sliding.
    
    
                                                            Mike
      
491.3plowing throughTALLIS::JBELLWot's..Uh the Deal?Thu Oct 29 1987 15:3328
>	 I'm wondering, though, if the tires can get enough traction
>    in snow that is fresh (not packed).

	Three years ago, I used to ride my touring bike through the snow on a
	daily basis.  I used the specialized tricross 27x1-3/8, which are
	narrow knobby tires.

	When I had trouble it was most often with getting a low enough gear,
	and not with traction.  I would be standing on the pedals in a 42
	inch gear and not moving.  Other times the trouble would be with pedal
	clearance, but perhaps an ATB wouldn't sink in as much.  Occasionally
	when the snow was really hard, I would have difficulty as the wheel
	would break through the crust unpredictably.

	Ice, of course, is the toughest part.  If you see an icy spot ahead,
	try to set up for it so that you will be coasting through in a
	straight line.  Try to do any turning or braking before it or after it.
	In general, try not to brake and turn at the same time.

	I take off the toe clips because they drag in the snow when you are
	trying to get into them.  Besides, the boots don't fit in very well.

	The Soubitez generator worked over the knobbies, but was noisy

	Also, its hard work so you might want to have someplace to stow your
	extra layers.

	-Jeff Bell
491.4Snow track kamikazeCHARON::WOODBURYTue Dec 15 1987 16:5117
    More on the snowmobile trails...
    
    I have found that riding snowmobile trails can be
    some of the best riding there is!  You do have to
    plan with the weather because soft or wet snow is
    really hard to travel through.  But if you get a
    snowfall which is packed by the machines, then a 
    warm spell and finally a cold spell, the track gets
    hard and incredibly fast (at least 100mph!).  This
    is also a great time to practice the "endo" because,
    if you wander out of the track, the bike will just
    dissapear into the snow.  You can roll ofer the 
    handle bars, and come up laughing.  (This is actually
    a good way to fall on a Mtn bike in the summer to
    minimize the blood).   Happy trails!
    
    mark