Winter Is Coming - Biking in Cold Weather

[Stefan Mikes]

I can remember the failed escapade that was called "The Jewel of Bolimów". It was a forest group ride for 80 km (that I even didn't actually start!) It was constantly snowing, and the temperature was between -1 and 0 C. After a couple of hundred metres ridden, I realized my Vado had no traction in the snow so I terminated my participation.

The point is, a relatively short stay in wet snowing made my clothes soaked, including gloves and boots. It would be a suicide attempt if I continued that ride!

 

[Prairie Dog]

One of the benefits around here, is although we get the cold, we rarely get the wet.
Art @Prairie Dog, just 150 Kms to the north, gets more moisture than we typically do here and also tends to be a few degrees colder.

I personally choose to not ride when it's much colder than -10C but I've gone as low as -15C and ridden 40'ish Kms at that temp too.

On my feet I wear a pair of Grisport Saracen Walking Boots, but I do wear high quality merino socks, and my leg coverings are tight to the tops of the boots.
They seem to work fine for me and historically did suffer from cold feet when teaching skiing back in the 70s.

Would I ride in Wellies - I don't think so.

We can’t seem to catch a break with the weather with regards to striking a happy medium. December was unbearably cold and here we are closing in on the end of January which is typically one of the coldest months of the year and it’s sitting well above freezing and to make matters worse it rained last night and now it’s snowing. Go figure.

I suppose it was even warmer in Calgary. Is there even any snow left up on the Nose?

On a positive note, I did get a decent ride in on Monday morning on the Bench single when the conditions were close to ideal. I was even able to pick up the pace a bit and get a clean ride in from start to finish.

I can remember the failed escapade that was called "The Jewel of Bolimów". It was a forest group ride for 80 km (that I even didn't actually start!) It was constantly snowing, and the temperature was between -1 and 0 C. After a couple of hundred metres ridden, I realized my Vado had no traction in the snow so I terminated my participation.

The point is, a relatively short stay in wet snowing made my clothes soaked, including gloves and boots. It would be a suicide attempt if I continued that ride!

Stefan. You need to know when to dial it back particularly with the tires that you are running on. I’m fine with keeping my winter rides between 20-40km depending on how low the mercury plummets. I generally ride the trails solo so there is no pressure on me to keep tabs on anyone in front or behind me. True, proper gear plays a vital role in keeping oneself warm and dry but I’ve found that setting limits for my winter rides when it comes to severe weather conditions is the best advice I could give to myself. We likely don’t log the mileage that we normally do during the warmer months but that’s okay considering that we all have to deal with Mother Nature in our own way even if it means forgoing rides for days at a time.

At 62, my body doesn’t respond as well as it used to so I’m not concerned about keeping up with the younger set and much prefer riding with those who I can keep a comfortable pace with. Being confined to the house isn’t pleasant but I try and make do with the cards that I’m dealt. As odd as this may sound and when the conditions are just right, I would rather be doing this than walking along a warm sandy beach. To each his own, I guess.

 

[RandallS]

---snip ---
I suppose it was even warmer in Calgary. Is there even any snow left up on the Nose?
---snip---

Nose hill was been unrideable for those that care about trail conditions.
Just too soft.
However, a fresh dump of snow is underway and then it will be followed by some severe cold for a few days.
So the base will be rebuilt and hardened over the next week, so riding should be good again soon.

However, Cataract surgery on Wednesday will keep me out of action for a bit. How long that will be will be up to the surgeon and I get the other one done in a month.
I am looking forward to being able to read my Garmin while riding rather than just the output reports on Strava.
I've had glasses for 60 years - will be nice to be able to function without them soon.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

It has started snowing again...
I tried Wellies with thick socks on my Friday's shopping ride. Unbelievable how warm that was! The soles wonderfully kept to my platform pedals.
Now, I intend to wear my snowboarding suit, as it is breathable, wind- and waterproof. The trouser legs can be pulled over the wellies, making it a snow- and rainproof solution.

Cannot wait to try it on today's 40 km ride. Unless there is too much of snow

 

[Grandma Bobbie]

I love winter riding on sunny days!

Does that trailer have a vinyl cover for the front because you will kick up snow, rocks and dirt?

I would be leery of taking a child in a trailer on slick roads at anything but very low speed with no traffic. I do take my dogs in my trailer even in winter but not far and not fast. I also have a sturdy wood hauler sled they ride in behind the ebike.

Yes, you need knobbies for snow riding. I put on my snow bibs, insulated boots and a balaclava and I have heated Kemimoto coat, gloves and socks. Get ski goggles or glasses that are designed to prevent snow blindness.

These are the trails I ride in winter:

Wow, I never thought of riding it in the winter, but u make it look So easy! As far as taking a child to school in it, don't know about that, would rather use my car- because some drivers aren't very observant, and texting and driving is a scary thing. I 'personally', would keep the trike for fun times with the grandkids, but who knows, the wave of the future may demand, new and exciting opportunities!

 

[Prairie Dog]

However, a fresh dump of snow is underway and then it will be followed by some severe cold for a few days.

Traffic came to a halt yesterday along the QE 2 near Carstairs, AB. The hill was so slick with ice from rain the previous day vehicles couldn’t make the climb up. It’s -28C WC today and Calgary broke it’s record for the snowiest day in January (34cm). We didn’t receive as much precip but I still spent the last couple of days shoveling. No riding over the weekend for me.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Guys,
I have found that a 50-60 km ride at temperatures, say, -2 C is the maximum I can take. Nothing helps for my ailing foot! At least I can ride such distances... With a single break at a warm place.

 

[mclewis1]

Traffic came to a halt yesterday along the QE 2 near Carstairs, AB. The hill was so slick with ice from rain the previous day vehicles couldn’t make the climb up. It’s -28C WC today and Calgary broke it’s snowfall record for the month of January (34cm). We didn’t receive as much precip but I still spent the last couple of days shoveling. No riding over the weekend for me.

That looks like they need a giant T bar tow lift.

We've had lots of freezing rain across the province but hanging out here in the far east of the province (not Fredericton) we've actually had a number of really warm/rain events that have removed most of the snow and ice. Still lots of heavy ridged ice on the local MUP though (here in the winter the "multi" part includes snowmobiles, and ATVs) so no off road riding ... but around town is just fine (on mostly bare roads). A very strange winter so far.

 

[RandallS]

Traffic came to a halt yesterday along the QE 2 near Carstairs, AB. The hill was so slick with ice from rain the previous day vehicles couldn’t make the climb up. It’s -28C WC today and Calgary broke it’s snowfall record for the month of January (34cm). We didn’t receive as much precip but I still spent the last couple of days shoveling. No riding over the weekend for me.

Calgary was pretty sketchy today - and I drive a 4 wheel drive Volvo Wagon with new winter tires.
Main routes were OK'ish, but anything else was very, very, slippery.

Twice I stopped at a traffic light well back of the vehicle in front of me, thus giving me some room to get the heck out of the way of the average person they give drivers licences to here.
Had to move up a bit once - it wouldn't have been much of a bump, but who the heck wants that crap. Temperatures dropped 8C in an hour. TV time...

 

[Prairie Dog]

Nose hill was been unrideable for those that care about trail conditions.

Hey Randall. Have you ever come across the erratic during your rides up on Nose Hill? The one in the image is in the NW. It’s part of the train of remains left behind by a landslide at Mt Edith Cavell 300 km north of Calgary and extends down to the US border.

We’ve stopped by the Okotoks erratic years ago but didn’t realize that there were a couple of these in Calgary including the one above in Beddington Hts.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/foothills-erratics-train-rocks-1.6728848

 

[RandallS]

View attachment 145802

Hey Randall. Have you ever come across the erratic during your rides up on Nose Hill? The one in the image is in the NW. It’s part of the train of remains left behind by a landslide at Mt Edith Cavell 300 km north of Calgary and extends down to the US border.

We’ve stopped by the Okotoks erratic years ago but didn’t realize that there were a couple of these in Calgary including the one above in Beddington Hts.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/foothills-erratics-train-rocks-1.6728848

Hey Art,
That is in fact in an area called Confluence Park. It's just north of Beddington Trail and just east of Centre street.
It runs along the Nose Creek Pathway system, which goes quite a ways west, but also links up with the pathways that go south all the way to 22X, and north to the big mall at Balzac.
The nice thing about a lot of that system is it's rideable all year round as it's on of the major routes and get's the snow cleared off.

Here are a few photos of the "Split Rock" from Oct/20. My old trusty Fathom parked while I had a snack.

On my frequent BnB (Bike & Beer) rides with Louis, we ride past that spot pretty well every time on the way back.
X marks the spot.

That was a leisurely 38kms a week ago on Friday. Beer was excellent and the food too.

 

[tomjasz]

9F(-13C) high today. Nope!

 

[Prairie Dog]

9F(-13C) high today. Nope!

Yup. Me too. Currently -17C (1F) here.

 

[PedalUma]

This is how I was able to adapt to the problem today. Toes + Sun + Book + Amazing Coffee + Friends + Lots of Rides + Puerto Rican Food Outdoors = No Yelling at a TV. We did get caught in a squall on one leg of one ride, so we went to an overhang in front of a book store for two minutes. What is great is that the squall chased off usual the anti-busker. An anti-busker is someone so bad that people pay them to go away.

 

[Prairie Dog]

This is how I was able to adapt to the problem today. Toes + Sun + Book + Amazing Coffee + Friends + Lots of Rides + Puerto Rican Food Outdoors = No Yelling at a TV. We did get caught in a squall on one leg of one ride, so we went to an overhang in front of a book store for two minutes. What is great is that the squall chased off usual the anti-busker. An anti-busker is someone so bad that people pay them to go away.
View attachment 145832

I suppose as the mercury plummets on days when it’s simply too cold to ride that it would be nice to imagine myself kicking back, sipping margaritas while reading a book on a warm sandy beach somewhere. Then again, when the conditions are right, I would much rather take advantage of what Alberta winters have to offer up all while enjoying the pristine experience among friends and family. That's how we adapt up here.

@RandallS and my BIL take in the view along the Coast line Trail in Banff National Park.

 

[Prairie Dog]

This is how I was able to adapt to the problem today. Toes + Sun + Book + Amazing Coffee + Friends + Lots of Rides + Puerto Rican Food Outdoors = No Yelling at a TV. We did get caught in a squall on one leg of one ride, so we went to an overhang in front of a book store for two minutes.

Shortly after I retired, I thought life would gradually slow to a point where my lifestyle would adopt a more leisurely pace during the cold season and that I would take up an indoor hobby or two to kill time. As it happened, things didn’t turn out as I expected as winters became monotonous and I could ill afford to become a couch potato. Once I took that spin on my first emtb, I realized that I could extend my riding season all year round. I have a buddy to thank for that as he introduced me to the local single tracks where my initiation with winter biking officially began. It sure beats cranking on the indoor trainer any day of the week.

I still look intently forward to spring rides but I now have vigor which allows me to enjoy the winters here with a renewed compassion. There’s no denying that this time of the year can be bitterly cold and many locals here retreat to the warmth of their abodes when the mercury plummets to intolerable levels, including yours truly. However, words can’t begin to express the beauty of a fresh snowfall within the solitude of a forest canopy or the distinct crunch of crusty snow beneath my tires on days when the sky is filled with warming rays of the sun and fortunately, we do receive plenty of sunlight which sometimes is taken for granted.

Many of you live in corners of the globe where winter amounts more to a Mediterranean-like climate and flora abounds almost all year round. I can only feel that’s the direction that I’m headed as my better half’s desire to garden all year round might get the best of me. As the saying goes, ‘Happy wife…..’

In the meantime, I’ll continue to enjoy the winters up here while the rest of you suckers bask on warm sunlit beaches.

 

[PedalUma]

From yesterday, tomorrow is better. More open. Nor. California leads in several ways. including bikes. Trees are blooming.

 

[Prairie Dog]

From yesterday, tomorrow is better. More open. Nor. California leads in several ways. including bikes. Trees are blooming.

It really sounds like you are enjoying life to its fullest. With all that’s occurring on our turbulent planet, it’s nice to know that we can still appreciate the goodness of nature, at least what remains of it. That being said, it’s not all doom and gloom as long as we live in the moment and appreciate what we have regardless of where we call home.

A bit OT, I do miss those delectable images that you so often posted from the local eatery that you patronized.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Guys, we are discussing "Biking In Cold Weather" here.
Let us not be distracted by Uma who decidedly smokes Vados too frequently and is able to derail any topic

 

[ruffruff]

Ya lets's get back on track! -35F wind chill here today! No riding for me! But I will go sit in the heated spear house!