November rides: bringing in the chill

[north woods gal]

Well, November definitely brings in the chill, up here in the north country, but for you folks down in warmer climes that have been suffering in the heat, I hope November brings you some relief.

Yippee! Got my Pugs 2 back form the bike shop, yesterday and it is now a single speed or actually a double speed. More on that in a bit. Anyway, here it is, with a few other mods. Pretty good deal on it, by the way. My guy at the shop did all the labor at no cost in exchange for the shifters and cassette that was on the bike. Me, I supplied the parts, up front.
https://i.postimg.cc/R0BxrWX1/P1100236.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

To further lighten the bike, I also replaced the stock Moloku handlebars with a much lighter FSA flat bar. I love the Moloku bars, but they're really a heavy duty touring handlebar, with emphasis on heavy, since they're made of steel. The FSA bar is MUCH lighter and better suited for trail work, anyway. Besides, I can always go back to the Moloku anytime I wish.

Yes, this is actually a double speed, you might say. It's a standard single speed in the back.
https://i.postimg.cc/y8VY9rzC/P1100238.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

This version of the Pugs, though, is unique in that it uses the same width axle, front and back, plus the front hub is threaded for a free wheel. What this allows you to do is run the front wheel with a different size cog, then just switch front and back wheels to change the gearing. Here's the front wheel with a smaller cog that I will use when I want a higher gear.
https://i.postimg.cc/fR4YNsXj/P1100239.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Right now, the gearing is with the rear wheel, set very low for trail work, with a nod to some snow riding or mud riding. My trails are very dry at the moment, so the gearing is a bit lower than I would like, but still very useable. Should be just right, though, when things turn mushy and soft. Then, too, I can always switch wheels to get a higher gear.

Did 6 miles of trail work, late afternoon, and loved the way the bike handled. It handled nice with the full set of gears and the heavy stock handlebar, too, but now it handles even better with the reduced weight, plus no big derailleur to snag or break hanging from the back. I now have single speed bikes all the way from a skinny tire road bike all the way up to a fat bike.

Speaking of late afternoon, don't forget, Daylight Savings time ends this Sunday. Pretty much means my late afternoon rides will become more like mid-afternoon rides, being this far north.

[Crankin]

Sigh... rain today and tomorrow. No riding in western MA for my birthday weekend. In fact, we aren't going out there until 4 pm tomorrow, have dinner at 8, then up early-ish Sunday to do a short hike, as our friends have a western MA AMC chapter dinner and we are going to my son's at 5:30. I am hoping that if we get home by 2:00, I can hop on my bike and at least say I have ridden on my birthday, as that's when it will be the high of 53. Only sunny day until next *Thursday.*

Nice bike, NW!

[north woods gal]

Happy BD, Crankin. I do hope you get a chance to do a little ride, just to say you did on your birthday. We have some of that wet weather coming in over the weekend, too, but looks like we'll get some snow mixed in, too. Oh, well. This is November.

Cold and cloudy, this morning, but did 14 miles of pavement on the Nature Boy, then came back and did 2 more miles on the trails with the Krampus.

So glad I didn't sell the Krampus, even though I was tempted. Now that I've got it the way I want it, it's a keeper. Took a different set of tires, then converting to tubeless and, of course, doing a single speed conversion, not to mention a different handlebar, stem, seat post and seat to get there, but I'm enjoying it MUCH more now than I did when it was all stock from the factory. Out of the box, it was actually a little disappointing and I usually love Surly bikes. Fun, fun ride, now.

https://i.postimg.cc/FKjVZd0w/P1100154.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

[north woods gal]

On the Krampus? Those are Maxxis Chronicle 29x3s, 120 tpi, set up tubeless. That's what I used to replace the stock Surly Dirt Wizards, which were a very aggressive dirt tire, but also a very slow rolling tire. The Chronicles are, as usual for me, a XC tread tire. Very fast and pleasant rolling tires that do well in the sand, but clog up a bit in the mud, but the important thing, now that the Krampus is a single speed, is that they roll easy.

[north woods gal]

First snow ride of the year, this morning and, also, my first ever single speed snow ride. There I was, yesterday, riding my single speed setup Pugs 2 on my hard dry trails, wondering if maybe I went a bit too low on the gearing and thinking maybe I should change out to a slightly faster cog in the rear. Woke up, this morning to snow falling and by the time I hit the trails with the Pugs, had 2 to 3" of wet, glue-like snow. The gearing I chose was perfect for this work. Riding a single speed fat bike for some snow riding was exactly what I had in mind for the Pugs and looks like I got it just right.
https://i.postimg.cc/kG2HZcqj/P1100246.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Did 3 miles of trail riding in the thick snow. Lots of fun, but lots of work, too, so got my daily does of exercise. So did Star, who loved her first snow outing of the season.
https://i.postimg.cc/63FsBSjs/P1100242.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Looks like my pavement riding may be on hold for a day or two until the temps melt off the snow. Of course, I could just ride one of the fat bikes, too.

[Crankin]

So jealous! If we had snow, I wouldn't feel guilty about not riding and I could maybe x country ski????
Sheila, you didn't miss my birthday, it's today. Ended up hiking about 10.5 miles over 2 days, one at home, yesterday, and today in western MA. Off to finish my birthday celebration at my son's house. We had a great dinner with our friends' last night.
And grandchild #3 arrived Friday afternoon. It's a boy! He looks like he was born weight lifting.

[north woods gal]

Congrats on the new grandson. That's a great birthday present.

Most of the snow melted, overnight, due to rain, but this snow/rain pattern is forecast to continue most of the week and by the weekend, temps will not even get above freezing, so, yeah, winter is here for us. Had hopes it would hold off a bit longer to get more November trail riding done, but, I'll just have to take it one day at a time, now.

Crankin, I wouldn't let the guilt get to you for not riding. As long as you can get outdoors, that's the important thing. Up here, we have to fight SAD (seasonal affective disorder) because we get so little light in the winter months. Our long, dark and gloomy winters can be very depressing. Always a challenge, but winter can be beautiful, up here, too. The best cure for SAD is to get outdoors, every day, and soak up as much light as possible. I never skip my daily outdoor time. Winter bike riding is my first choice, but I also cross country ski and snowshoe, all depending on snow conditions.

Yeah, gloomy, today, but hope to be able to do some pavement riding.

[Crankin]

I'd say I get outside 4-5/7 days. It doesn't always happen on the 3 days I work, but usually I can get out for an early am ride most of the year, or a walk before, during, or after work on one of those days. I love my 2 bootcamp days, but on Friday, I often want to ride because I am not at work, and after that class, it's pretty hard!
I tell all of my clients to get outside in the winter and they just can't do it. The ones who already do some exercise are more successful, but most just complain. I've been dealing with winter that way for about 18 out of the 28 years since we moved here from AZ. I always went out and played in the snow with my kids, shoveled, and even did some minor x country skiing for the first few years. They did downhill skiing, which I had no desire to do. It wasn't until I started riding in 2000 that I started seriously x country skiing, snow shoeing, and winter hiking and walking.
I knew it wasn't my imagination, we've had 6 more inches of rain this year than normal. It has put a crimp in my outdoor stuff.

[north woods gal]

4 or 5 days out of seven riding or other outdoor activity is pretty good for someone still working and/or raising a family. Back when I was doing both, there were weeks when I couldn't keep that pace. Yeah, retirement is great in that respect.

Our weather has been consistently wetter than usual this year, too. Today was another ride in the rain day, only this time it was half rain and half freezing rain. Started out mid-morning with some blue peeking though the clouds, then the low clouds would move in and soak me with the wet stuff. Managed 11 miles of local pavement, but the wet clothes and temps in the 30s got the best of me, so I and headed home to dry off and warm up. My legs wanted to to do much more than 11 miles, though. Rested a bit, then traded the Gunnar for the Krampus and hit my trails, hard, doing 6 miles of fast laps. By this time the rain had stopped, so a great trail workout.

While riding the trails, came across two downed trees across my trails, though. Not real big, but had to be cleared. Called the riding quits and grabbed an axe and went to work. Between the riding, the rain and the cold and the heavy work of tree removal, I was one tired gal, today. Definitely got my outdoor time, today.

[north woods gal]

Rain, and me riding in the rain, is beginning to seem normal, now. Yup, another wet ride, this morning. Rode the 2 miles over to our town hall to vote, then kept going for another 9 miles of pavement work. Got home, dried off the Nature Boy, then headed out for 4.5 miles of very wet and sloppy trail work with the Pugs. The Pugs with its 4.4" tires is a true fat bike and very comfy and safe to ride on the trails, but those big wheels are harder to push than the Krampus and, especially, the Log Lady. When the going gets sloppy, though, fat bikes rule.

[north woods gal]

Yeah, but it has that goofy curved handlebar. :)

[north woods gal]

Actually, I like them, too. Just that this old body resists getting stretched when I go back and forth between MTBs and road bikes. Thanks to my accident, my neck also complains, now, when I'm not in a fairly upright position. No more riding in the drops for me. Lots of great memories on all the drop bar bikes I've owned over the years, though. My favorite was a Trek Ultegra equipped cyclocross bike with one of the very last aluminum frames actually made in Wisconsin. That was an amazing bike.

Snow, again, tonight. Really had hoped to get some nice dry November weather got riding, but not looking good. Every day I can ride my Nature Boy or standard tire MTBs is now precious. Fat bike, only, weather is closing in, fast.

[Crankin]

First ride in November turned out to be one of the hardest ones I've done this year.
Up until last night, there was only a long ride for the group, and while 37 miles I can do, I can't keep up with the group that does the longer rides. Then, later in the evening, someone volunteered to lead a shorter version. Of course, it included a dreaded climb. The whole ride was in my old neighborhood, where I used to live when I first moved back to MA, about 15 miles north of here. I did not ride when I lived there and man, I doubt I would have continued, as it is super hilly. The leader of this ride is someone who is good, but he was setting a fast pace. I wasn't back with sweep, but I was never in the front, either. However, it's a beautiful day, 61 degrees and breezy with sun. Yes, the sun did come out. I always feel crappy in the beginning of a ride and by the time that wore off, we were near the climb. However, I forgot about the climbs after the climb :). There is a former pig farm on a road that runs parallel to my old street and it's a 12% grade to this spot. It's a CSA now, so I guess it's all upscale. The first day my kids rode the school bus (ages 5 and 8) they asked me if we had moved to Appalachia :eek:. So, it is rural and beautiful. But the climbing after the climbing almost killed me. Made it back to my car at Great Brook Farm and I was so tired and hungry, I did not go to the lunch, as it was going to be quicker to drive home and eat than wait at the place they were at.
Glad I did it, but a reminder that I need to get my azz in gear for next year. I am talking with my bootcamp instructor about a couple of months of personal training.
26 miles with 1350 ft of climbing.

[north woods gal]

Some serious climbing with gradients like that. We're also mostly hills, but a lot gentler in nature. Would definitely have to work myself up to that stuff you rode. Good job on your part.

Hey, send some of that sunshine and warm weather our way, especially the sunshine. Another dreary, cold, snowy day for us. Light skiff of snow, overnight and some light snow falling as I rode my trails on the Norco Sasquatch fat bike. Did a good 6 miles, pushing myself hard in the climbs. Good workout. Being the glutton for work that I am, I then spent another two plus hours smoothing out a very bumpy section of trail.

No pavement riding, today, though. Figure I'll get plenty of that when the snow closes down my trails and I'll be riding the fat bikes out on our plowed roads. For now, I'm riding trails, every day, and pavement, every other day. Want to enjoy my trails while I still can. No one plows them for me. :)

Finally, conceding that my winter biking season is actually, here, I pulled the Norco Bigfoot out of summer storage and got it ready to go. This is a snow bike, only, fat bike because of its big aggressive studded tires. (My other Norco, the Sasquatch, I ride year round.) Figured I might as well be ready when the deep slushy snow hits. Won't be long, now.

[Crankin]

Yeah, my husband is in Chicago and he said he is glad he is leaving tomorrow late morning, because it is going to snow there shortly after that. We are getting rain on Friday, but there will be some snow in northern New England.

[north woods gal]

We're forecast to get three or four inches of snow over the next 48 hours and with the ground now frozen and temps staying below freezing, it might be the last we see of our lawn till spring. That time of year, for us.

Errands, today, one being a trip back to the bike shop with my single speed Pugsley for a gear change. My bike shop guy switched out the rear cog while I waited. Can't beat that. Probably could have done it, myself, but lots of little washers to get right on single speed conversion like this. He showed me how it's done, though, so I will probably go it on my own if need be, next time.

Changed to a slightly higher gear ratio. Not much, mind you, but even a little change is important when going ss for trail work. When you need a quick burst of speed, you can't afford to spin out, but you can't afford to under-spin, either, by being in too high a gear. Got to get it just right. Anyway, got home, mid-afternoon and, of course, went right to work on the trails with 5 plus miles of laps. Yup, got it just right, now. :)

[Crankin]

Decided to take a little recovery ride in the dark this morning. Went out about 5:30, or maybe a bit before. It takes so long to get ready for a cold, dark ride, despite laying out and charging everything last night. I did the flattest ride I can, with no add ons which have hills, about 10 miles. Felt great on the way out, but coming home, my legs felt tight and my average was quite low for this ride.
I wore the new Nox Gear safety light vest we got on sale. I can't really describe it, but it's very cool, with multiple flashing colors to choose from. There's a light (pretty big) on your back and very thin plastic tubes you slip your arms through that also light up. There's just one very light weight clip in the front that holds it on. I noticed cars staying far away. It's very busy on Main St from my street until they all get onto the highway, about 2 miles, so it was a good test. It's so light, you cannot even feel it.

[north woods gal]

Might have to check out that vest. Thanks. Been such a long time since I've ridden in the dark, but was a daily thing, back in my commuting to work days. Some of those early morning in the dark rides before the traffic built up were quite pleasant. Not all of them, of course, but have good memories of some of them.

[Crankin]

Well, I am not riding in city traffic, but it's considerably busier than in the last 2 places I lived. However, it's really only when I do this ride. Sometimes, I just want to be outside on a flat road. I didn't see any other riders today, which was weird, as it was not that cold (42) and there's a considerable number of clubs that ride out this way, as well as commuters.
The good thing is, it was almost fully light when I got back at 6:15.

[north woods gal]

We got our snow, today. Not a lot, about 3". Still, it was enough to have a real snow day of fat biking on the Norco Sasquatch (great bike). Got out on our neighborhood roads before they were plowed and did 6 miles. Doesn't sound like much, I know, but remember this is pushing a fat bike through the snow. Good workout, anyway.

Got back home and then did 4 more miles, this time on my trails, with Star keeping me company, as usual. No thaw in sight, so good chance I won't see the grass on our lawn till late April or even May.
https://i.postimg.cc/6q6jjPBS/P1100257.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

[Crankin]

Love that pic, NWG.
We had winds, with gusts up to 40-50 mph for most of today, so no riding. I went to a new class at the gym; thought it might be awful, but it was fun and similar, but different enough from what I do in the early AM. It's at 11 AM, a bit late for me, if I am not doing something outside on a weekend. I didn't have any other stuff to do until tonight, so it was not an issue today. So, if I can't ride, x country ski, snow shoe, or hike, I have something to do. DH went for a walk, but I am sick of that, except on my easy/rest days.

[north woods gal]

Thanks.

A little more snow, today, maybe a little more, tonight, then a a mostly dry week, next week. All in all, not bad. Can still ride both our local roads and my trails. The roads may clear enough to allow me to ride the skinnier tire bikes at some point. Hope so, because I don't want to mothball them, yet. The trails, though, are likely to be fat bike, only, for the rest of the winter, though. Not much melting back in the woods. I may be able to also ride the Krampus with its 3" tires when I get enough hard pack from riding over the trails a lot, but not going to take chances. Be dumb to take a fall because i wasn't riding a fat bike.

Today, all riding, road and trail, was with the single speed setup Pugsley. Very pleased that I'll be able to ride it all winter, except when the snow gets deep and slushy. Gearing is just right for hard pack snow. Don't want to give up my single speed riding till spring. That would drive me nuts.

[Crankin]

We had a beautiful sunny day today, so we forced ourselves to get out there and ride. I am glad I did. Did the longer version of my early morning rides, 19 miles. It was actually warmer than I thought, as the weather was showing some wind still around, but we couldn't feel it much, as we had a tailwind going out, but then kind of a persistent and annoying crosswind on the way back. I was overdressed, but not horribly; I decided to wear my winter jacker with the pit zips, so at 9 miles, I unzipped them and pushed my head cover a little up on my ears. It was not necessary for me to be wearing my Ibex tights, but that did not bother me.
Every ride now until the roads get sloppy is a gift, so onward. It's going to be a high of 34 and a low of 19 on Wednesday and I am not sure if I can handle the group ride if it's in the low 20s at the start. it's going to be hilly, so I'd get warm quickly, but we will see.

[north woods gal]

So right about every ride on dry pavement now being a gift. Looks like I'm done, barring an unusual thaw. More snow, last night, almost 3". The plows haven/t been out all day, so probably be tomorrow before any serious road cleaning happens. I did take out the Norco fat bike with the heavy duty studded tires for 5 miles around our local roads. By staying in the tracks of cars, managed some good speeds, in fact.

I then had a try at clearing a path through the snow on my trails, but gave up, disgusted and frustrated. Promised myself, this winter, that I wouldn't work like a dog to keep my trails open to biking, again, the way I did last winter. That was just too much and no chronic neck discomfort like I have, now, either. I did ride the fat bike though the fresh snow on the trails, but just a matter of time, now, before it gets too deep for snow biking. Then it's out on the roads for my snow biking after the plows have done their work.

What I AM going to do, this winter, though, is just let it snow and use the skis and the snowshoes on the trails. I'll mix that with some snow biking out on the roads and (ugh!) maybe some indoor trainer work. Should be able to stay in shape though the winter. That, and the skis and snowshoes will give me a positive outlook on snow when it comes, instead of a negative one as per trying to keep my trails open all winter.

[north woods gal]

Overnight lows now in single digits and about 5" of snow on the ground. Yup, still riding, snow and cold, notwithstanding. Same old crazy me.

No new snow, now, for a couple days, so have been riding my trails enough to pack down the snow and get a good base. As long as I stay in my narrow "single track", I do okay. No techy turns or fancy stuff, now, but as long as I stay on the straight or gently curving sections, I'm safe. Also doing some pavement riding on our plowed roads. All fat bike stuff, so far. The single speed Pugs is doing better than expected as a snow bike. Getting a lot of use from it, more than expected. Probably the end of my single speed skinny tire bike riding, now that winter is here, but at least I'll still be able to go single speed, thanks to the Pugs.

[north woods gal]

Like I said, I'm a little crazy. :)

[Crankin]

We're getting snow Thursday night. It will be melting by early AM, but still. I hope it doesn't affect my plans for a nice Saturday ride.
I don't think I can force myself to get to the group ride tomorrow. It will be around 25 at the start, with a lower real feel. Lots of wind.

[Crankin]

The ride today was cancelled...
I think it will be fine for Saturday. Any snow we get will be washed away.

[north woods gal]

Hope it works out for you, Crankin. Our weather continues to be cold, but at least we've had a little sunshine. That does help my mood, at least.

13 miles, today, all on the fat bikes, including 10 miles of riding on our snow packed roads and anther 3 on my equally snowy trails. To be safe, did the roads on the fat bike with studded tires, since the snow is packed down very tight due to a couple of days of traffic. Probably would have been fine without the studded tires, but just felt better to be safe than sorry. You know, even after all these years of riding on snowy roads, I have to winder what people think when they see my pedaling on by. Our neighbors that know us think it's pretty cool for me to be out riding, no matter what, but I'm sure some strangers think I'm a little nutty. Oh, well.

I did the trails on the Pugs, after I got back from my road ride. Was nice to ditch the studded tires for the smoother rolling tires on the Pugs, plus the Pugs is a single speed, now. Hard to explain why I prefer going single speed, but I just do.

[Crankin]

We had about 4 inches of snow from about 8 PM last night to about 2 AM. It turned to rain, but when I woke up at 4:30, I couldn't face going out to clean off my car (the down side of living in our condo). I don't even know if my class at the gym was actually held at 5:30, but since I have felt kind of off since Wednesday, I decided to sleep in. I plan on lounging around all morning, the perk of working part time, and then going to a yoga class, where I will be among the youngest in the room! Then, off to buy food for Thanksgiving.
Tomorrow's forecast is predicted to be 49 and bright sun, so I hope the roads are ok. They are already fully plowed, but I am hoping the rain washes away any slush or salt in the shoulder.

[north woods gal]

Good to hear the storm's effect won't be around long. Yeah, that road salt was a real headache for me back in my Chicago winter commuting days. Had to clean off my bike every night when I got home from work. Fortunately, our little rural township, here, only uses gravel and sand. That I can handle.

Had a fun day, yesterday, after getting back from doing errands in town. Decided to hit my snow packed trails with my other bikes, instead of the fat bikes. After all, before there were fat bikes or even plus bikes, I was riding in the snow on regular mountain bikes. Did 4 miles on the Krampus with its 29x3" tires, then another 4 with the Log Lady and its 27.5x 2.25" tires. Both did great on my snow packed trails. No slipping at all, though I was extra careful with the Log Lady not to get to extreme with my speed, though that's always a temptation with this fast bike. Riding these single speeds once again showed me that going single speed is doable in some types of snow. Won't put these bikes, away, for the winter.

A skiff of snow, overnight, so will probably pull out one of the fat bikes and get to work on re-packing my trails.

[Crankin]

Eh, the rain has not melted much so far and it's too cool out for a big melt, with no sun. It's going to be melting puddles tomorrow, and I won't ride either of my road bikes in that! If I take the Ariel out, I'd have to convince DH to ride his Guru or we would end up snow hiking. A lot of the x country ski areas up north have opened for the weekend, but too far for a day trip.

[north woods gal]

Half inch of snow, overnight. Not enough to make the trails slippery, but rode the Norco fat bike just to be safe. The big 4.8" wheels did a nice job of re-packing the fresh snow for me and the Norco Sasquatch is a great bike to ride, anyway. No sunshine, though. Back to gloomy and cold and a very damp cold at that. Just hard to keep my spirits up on these gloomy days. Oh, well. Long, long winter ahead of me.

[bikeranna]

I could never do a ride in november.

[smartcric11]

Wow amazing experience guys. I would love to do the same this November