Winter Sucks

Actually it was hard packed snow covered by a layer of ice. Studded tyres do love having some ice beneath them. Worse if there's a small spot of frozen snow with no ice on the top. The e-bike gets a jerk when a wheel (especially the rear one) hits that spot. I rode rather slowly and respectfully... While an e-MTB on tyres such as Schwalbe Ice Spiker Pro could ride the same terrain at the full speed and no worries at all! (Winter Plus are good but not that good. These are ideal on black ice or on smooth ice).
I can vaguely understand how studded tires might let you get away with riding on ice. But being no stranger to walking on ice from my Denver days, I do NOT understand how you get on and off the bike on ice — especially a high-step. Are your shoes also studded?
 
But being no stranger to walking on ice from my Denver days, I do NOT understand how you get on and off the bike on ice — especially a high-step. Are your shoes also studded?
The bike gives a very good support to the body. The friction of the shoes is usually sufficient to enable mounting the bike on regular ice, which is by no means smooth. .

Black ice is a different case. You must find any ice free object to set your foot on before mounting the bike. I was in such a situation in December last year. I usually set my foot on a piece of a lawn that was devoid of ice.
 
I can vaguely understand how studded tires might let you get away with riding on ice. But being no stranger to walking on ice from my Denver days, I do NOT understand how you get on and off the bike on ice — especially a high-step. Are your shoes also studded?
I've been regularly cycling (thousands of miles) in the winter on snow, ice, and slush using studded tires over the past 20 years (and for the past 5 of those on ebikes). In all that time I've only fallen twice, both times on an ebike and both times it was at 0 mph while getting on or off in my driveway.
 
A Brompton came in. It is really dirty. So, I just sprayed it with soap and put it out in the thundering hail storm.

Every year I help organize a kite flying picnic. This year I have four popular moms signed up for flying kites with wildflowers on March 15th. They can invite others. This is the fourth year. It was on a mountain meadow but last year we moved it to a more accessible location that has some shade and 10 tables. The parents snack and drink wine while watching the kids. We will also do an egg hunt and if it's anyone's birthday, we will do that too. I am ready to celebrate Spring. One year, the year of the dragon, I had a 9 foot long dragon kite flying from a fishing pole. Because I am older, single, and estranged from my family, it is very nice for me to be included and to see all the kids. There will be some grandparents too. I am sort of an adopted cousin for holidays and celebrations.
 
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This is how it started with a Dollar Tree kite on a Sonoma Mountain meadow. There could be snow there tonight. It happens every few years. Only once in 30 years did the snow meet the flats. I made my fourth grade kid go to school that day and he never forgave me. There were like seven kids at the entire grade school that day. Everyone else was out playing, making snowmen and having snowball fights. Those hills are at 1600-feet with famous vineyards with the minerality and cool Summer afternoons.
 

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I lived in the Hudson Valley as a kid. In 1971 my mom went to Scotland at Easter. She had purchased in advance all the Easter candy. My dad didn't know, so we got double. There was snow that year and we found three boiled and colored hen eggs hidden from the year before in the music/library room. My social status has declined with each decade since. I am what I do with my approach. I have Maps Reviews for PedalUma eBikes. It is not entitled. I had thought that I was born of a certain status. That is not true. We had the Hamiltons to lunch and playing cards regularly. The Roosevelts lived next door. My middle name is that of a Declaration founder. It all amounts to nothing. It is all what you do now, and how you do it with acceptance, service and humility, that is all that counts. Competence with service.
 
It's been a month since our last sizeable snowstorm here.

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It was just over a foot, but it's been so cold that little melted until this week. We're down to around 8" now, which gave me hopes for an early spring ride. That was, until the forecast is now calling for a storm this weekend which could bring us another foot. :(

Bummer!
 
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