Riding Bikes In Snow

Riding Bikes In Snow

by Jason Duckworth

Publication Date: December 2000

Snow always makes me feel good. It reminds me of childhood days of riding BMX bikes all over town. Now, I can go to the trails and plow through inches of virgin snow with friends who have similar interests. I went on a ride this morning and it inspired me to offer some advice on winter riding so others can enjoy this extreme fun.

1. Keep those clipless pedals packed with grease. This situation happened this morning. One of my group couldn't get off his bike because his pedals were frozen after we crossed a creek. The water splashed onto the pedals and froze his cleats onto his 747's. Packing with grease will keep water out of the internals of the pedals and therefore prevent freezing. By the way, he had to take his shoes off to get off his bike.

2. Keep brakes and cables well lubed. This is very important because there will come a time when you need your brakes. For the cables I have found that chain wax works wonderfully. It repels water and keeps cables from freezing. Keep your posts well greased as well. On a snowy downhill brakes can heat up. This heat can melt snow which will result in wet brakes. When you're off the brakes and the temperature is allowed to go down, freezing can result. This sucks so take the necessary precautions.

3. Run with fat, large knobby tires. Large 2.1 to 2.35 tires work great. Larger tires tend to float in the snow instead of digging a deep trench. Large knobbys bite the snow and the ground if the snow isn't too deep. My friends and I have been having great luck with Continental Traction Pro tires.

4. Use all your low speed riding skills. When you do hit deep powder be ready to pedal hard and use body english. Ride some trials to gain low speed maneuvering skills. Remember that there can be ice under the snow, so try to make all your movements slowly and smoothly. Also, learn to trust your tires.

5. Clothing. Take extra socks just in case yours get wet. You'll probably want a backpack so you can shed clothing and add as needed. I usually wear a hat of some sort under my helmet but end up taking it off because my brain starts to melt. Take Chap stick or some kind of lip balm with you because wind and cold weather aren't friendly with lips. I find that Hemp Balm works great.

Most of all, just have fun. Be prepared for the worst if your going on a long ride. Stop and have a snowball fight in the middle of the woods. Carve and throw snow all over the place. Winter riding can be a blast if you are prepared and become uninhibited. Just don't eat the yellow snow.