winter riding tips?

[sregenold]

I'm a contributing reporter for New York Times. Doing a story on ice biking this week, specifically focusing on a race series in Minnesota and the athletes training for the event that stud their tires with sheet-metal screws and pedal on the glaze solid surface of a frozen lake.

I'm looking for other areas in the U.S. (and beyond) where ice races take place. (Ice, not snow.)

Can anyone help? I've heard about races in Vermont or N.H., but cannot find any details.

Please forward this message on to anyone in the know.

Please email me direct with any help -- Regenold@gmail.com


Thanks,

--Stephen Regenold
regenold@gmail.com; 612/723-0279

[Geonz]

I've been sort of figuring out that riding stuff, especially this morning when I forgot to take the plowed road (that's busier) and rode on the unplowed residential one. (And we've only had an inch or so - but it doesn't take much to knock you down!) I got off & walked twice but *mostly* I was brave and even tried to relax and smile and just be really, really alert and balanced. It was only a mile of the patchy stuff but it was a looooong mile
It's still snowing now... so we'll just have to see about tomorrow. I just hate driving any more (mainly 'cause with it being winter, commuting is my only riding).

[SheFly]

In the snow and ice, studded tires really make a difference. You still have to be careful, but you will have a better chance at staying upright.

Failing studs, my recommendation is for riding with at least knobby tires in the winter. Liza - it sounds like your tires and tire pressure should be ok. The main issue is with braking. I've found that grabbing JUST the rear brake in these kinds of conditions will help prevent the entire bike from sliding out from beneath me. However, put a foot out to steady yourself if you have to brake hard - just in case. This tactic also works well when turning/cornering.

You also need to ensure that you keep even pressure on your pedal strokes. This will help prevent the tire from spinning if it is slick. If you see a slippery spot, ease up on the pedals some and DO NOT STEER! Any quick turns of the bars will also put you off the bike quickly.

I ride most of the winter (granted, not commuting since I work in my basement ), and [touch wood] haven't gone down in quite a long time... I hope this helps some!

SheFly

[Geonz]

I got home just fine - it was s nowing but it was all wet. THis morning we'd had an inch more... but I remembered to stick to the better roads (not all good, but pretty good).
I'm plowin' through the nasty stuff, doin' okay... and this dude on a yellow road bike streaks by me on the right. He had no trouble... didn't look like knobby tyres to me Nice thing about heavy but very well made bike - it is pretty steady as she goes like a big ol' Mercedes...

[nuthatch]

So, Sue, how are you doing in this incredibly cold weather? I gave up about a week ago and I'm already feeling "lumpy"!! Too much black ice up here in northern IL right now, so I'm waiting for a bit of a thaw.

BTW, do you hose down your bike after riding in all this salt? It's just awfully heavy on the roads right now. I worry about my bike dissolving by spring!