Conference noted::bicycle

3042.0. "Riding snowmobile trails" by MKOTS3::tcc050.mko.dec.com::larson () Mon Jan 22 1996 15:03

Our own private Iditarod.  That's what is was like.  Five friends and I 
went to Fox State Park in Hillsboro, NH yesterday to ride on the trails.
I'd been anxiously awaiting this opportunity.   Unlike past years,  we've 
had plenty of snow, but no melt down, so the trails were not ridable.  The 
past 4 days changed that.  Warm weather meltdown,  followed by zero degree 
temperatures turned what used to be perfect snowmobile/cross country ski 
trails into cement.  This is great for 2 reasons: 1)  it makes it possible 
to ride on top of the snow and 2) it is so hard that skiers and 
snowmobilers find it to hard to enjoy traveling on it.   We didn't see 
anyone the whole 2 1/2 hours we were out there.   Amazingly, we didn't even 
see any other MTB's...although we did see someone's tracks.

Riding on a frozen trail is one of the best experiences a rider can have.
Trails that are usually littered with rocks/roots are now smooth as 
pavement.  Just lower your tire pressure and you're off.  And don't let 
anyone sell you $50 studded tires...you don't "need" them.  There are a 
couple of times I wished I had them (i.e. when I rode over the snowbank 
down to the road...only to hit glare ice before my butt hit the pavement) 
but overall we did fine without studs.  I have a Hardcore Smoke with 2K 
miles on it (it's pretty beat) but I still was able to find good traction. 
 Picking good lines (did I mention the horse hoove craters?) and a smooth 
pedal stroke worked fine.  One guy had the Panaracer Spikes on his bike.  
No doubt they hook up,  but they also have a lot of drag.


Here's some tips for snow covered trails:

		1. Dress in layers.  Mid-weight Capilene, a fleece vest and 
		   windbreaker on top, and 2 pair of lycra/polypro tights 
	           on the bottom.  For the feet, I used a polypro sock, 
		   then a plastic bread bag then a heavier wool sock.  
		   This worked great for me...my feet sweat alot.  Make 
		   sure shoes aren't too tight or your feet will go numb   
  	           Then, a lightweight hiking boot and cover the ankle open
		   ing with a gaiter or neoprene bootie.   On my head, a 
		   balaclava under my helmet and clear glasses.	 For the 
	           hands, had mid-weight thermax gloves under lobster 	
        	   gloves.  BTW,  the temperature was +6 degrees f.  

		2. Get rid of the SPD's.  3 guys had them...3 of them fell
		   hard while walking on ice.  The steel cleat and hard ice
		   is a recipe for disaster.  BTW, engagement/release was  
                   not a problem

		3. Reduce tire pressure.  I weigh 185 lbs and used 35 PSI.
                   Studs optional, only needed for slick ice.

		4. Carry your water in an alternative fashion.  2 of us had 
		   Camelbacks under our windbreakers...worked great.  Other
		   riders had the bottle/cage setup and their bottles froze 
		   solid pretty quickly.

		5. Wear eye protection.

		6. Look for slick spots.  You can ride over them...if      
              you're carefull.  If in doubt, walk.

		7. Look for water.  Don't even try to ride it.  Once you're 
		   wet, you're done for the day.

		8. Don't follow the rider in front of you too closely.
                   Because everyone endo'd at least once.  The downhills
		   were a blast, but once and a while someone goes off the
		   hardpack trail onto the softer edge where the front 
		   wheel knifes in and puts you over the bars.

		9. Stay out ATV ruts.  Those damn 4-wheelers had been
		   there.  They made these treacherous 12 inch wide, 6 inch
 		   deep half-moon single tracks that worked great if you   
                 stayed at the bottom of the trough.  As soon as you       
             wander the least bit, you'll go down.  If you see these,      
              ride in the high area between the tire tracks.
		   

See ya on the trails,
mike			

    An overnight snowfall of 4-6" made my trail riding really fun this
    morning.  Bike handling is different so you have to experiment some.  
    For example, when descending a steep hill, don't lock the back brake 
    (easy to do when slippery), or else the back of the bike will slide
    out and try to overtake you ! Instead rely more on the front brake 
    and listen carefully to wheel rotation to make sure no wheel locks up.
    
    I found that less caution and more speed seems to get me through loose
    rock as well large rock steps.  Equal force applied throughout the entire 
    pedal stroke also prevents wheel slippage on those steep uphills. 
    Have fun on all that white stuff !