Ride report with a new tire setup - took the Ice Spikers off, and put the Johnny Watts on.
We've been having some very unseasonably warm weather, including a record high yesterday of 18.7C.
Many people out - including lots in just t-shirts and shorts. Me - kept the cycling tights on but on top only a long sleeved t-shirt and a short sleeved wind-cheater that I wear for golfing.
No toque under helmet and just fingerless gloves.
The plan was to ride pathways and see how the JW's performed - the singletrack on "my hill" was getting a little soggy and I thought I'd give it a few days to finish the melt. As it turned out I did venture onto the hill on the way home and did some singletrack after all.
First off - the tires. Exactly what I was looking for - rolled smoothly and very quietly on the pavement, and in multiple locations where I was on grassy or mud areas, felt very sure footed.
This included some side slopes - both dirt and grass. I suspect that in true MTB terrain, where it's wet and muddy, they will likely struggle, but that's not our normal terrain around here.
The quietness was such that I could hear the motor quite distinctly, and also I had to use my bell a lot more as people couldn't hear me coming anymore.
The ride:
Not sure where Strata was getting weather details from, but they were not even close.
As you can see, snow is rapidly disappearing. As compared to the ride the other day where I compared pictures from a given spot to pictures from February, you'll just have to take my word for it - the snow is vanishing...
At the top of the map, there's a nice hilly ravine through an area called Edgemont. The picture on the left has north facing yards and slopes, hence the snow that's sticking around.
Further south, but still in Edgemont, I got a little wet (need a rear fender) and there was no opportunity for any Ice Hockey on the rink - maybe swimming lessons?
Next, it was lunch time so I continued south to location "Z" and stopped at a Subway for a small Tuna sandwich - yes there was space inside to eat, but outside in the sun was better. It was quite warm - just like the hot peppers in the sandwich.
From there I headed off towards the University district, mainly checking out new routes. Here's some shots of the Olympic Speedskating venue from the 1988 games - "Y" on the map.
From there I continued east towards a nice park pathway system in Confederation Park. Wrong move - it was super crowded and verging on downright dangerous with small kids on stride bikes whizzing through crowds. I rode very slowly and carefully through the park and then through the cemetery (from Friday's report) and headed for Nose Hill Park to check out the JW's on something softer.
Made it through the dog incident area again, and crossed the freeway via an overpass and entered the park towards point "X". Got to that spot and had to turn around - just too sketchy with the wet snow. The Ice Spikers might have been a little better, but not much. The first picture is where I stopped and turned around before having to muscle my way up that path on the right. I was not wanting to repeat the front end washout that damaged my shoulder. The tires were actually OK - but I'm risk averse these days and I had an appointment with the surgeon the next day (already back form that appointment as I'm writing this).
So, I turned around, and retraced my way from the park, and headed back to Edgemont to make my way to the western entrance the Park, and head for home from there.
Lot's of paved paths, complete with lots of walkers and their requisite dogs. In the circled area on the map, popped off the pathway and did a quick 300m climb on a trail that had some dry surface, some wet, some snow and some loose gravel. The JW's handled it just fine - although it was only max 14%. From there a traverse on a slight incline for about 500m , where I tried out the traction by bouncing from one rut to the other, and then a quick 100m descent back to the pathway towards an eastern exit (under 14th street) and a burst of speed heading for home and an appropriate beverage on the patio.
Beautiful day for a ride and I finished up my Audiobook - "Squeeze Me".
Final thoughts on the Johnny Watts. I wanted an "all-rounder" tire, to go on my "all-rounder" Hardtail eMTB.
It's a success, although I'll need a lot more riding on the trails and hills to truly determine if they measure up to the Forekasters in the mud.
They were much quieter, rolled much smoother, and my unscientific measurement would guesstimate a 20% better range than the Ice Spikers.
The only downside is that you can hear the motor now!
More pathways tomorrow - one my friends will use my old rear hub BionX powered bike.
There WILL be beverages somewhere along the way, perhaps of the adult variety...
Finally - Surgeon is very pleased with the progress with my shoulder, and is more than pleased to keep her scalpel to herself.
A shot of steroid to help with pain management and I'll see her again in June.
For additional therapy, she wants me to go golfing (only the driving range for now) to keep the stretching going.
I wish I could expense that on my health plan as "The Doctor prescribed it!!"
