Off Track - Latest Comments in Bicycling beats blues, barely

Re: Bicycling beats blues, barely

Andrew — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 14:03:01 -0000

I've never had any trouble with my cogs or cleats, but I've been thinking that swopping out for old school flat pedals might be good for winter riding... I could wear hiking boots to keep my toes warm.

I'll have to read up on Flandis, I haven't been following the roadie scene of late,

Re: Bicycling beats blues, barely

singletrack_mind — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 09:28:54 -0000

Hello Andrew:

Snow bking out her in New Mexico is somethning I do at teh end of bike season when I'm not willing to quit yet. Riding uphill in snow convices me pretty quick that it's over for the year.

One problem you did not list: if it's cold enough, snow will freeze in your cogs & derail your chain.

Another: The first tme you put your foot down in teh snow you risk icing up your cleats which makes then incompatible with your pedals. You can spray your shoe bottoms & pedals with silicone, or grease them to prevent this.

My favorite time to ride in the snow is after the first 2" or so; it's silent, like XC skiing & wierdly like flying when you can't see a trail . . . but of course, not being able to see the trail has a few risks too. There's one 30 mile high altitude ride I've done twice in these conditions because I always seem to put that one off 'till it's nearly too late.

Very sorry to hear about the hip though. Vello News would have us believe that Flandis's surgery was pretty sucsessful, is that the sort of thing you are needing?

Re: Bicycling beats blues, barely

andrew — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 06:32:25 -0000

Sure, there's parking off Route 111-A, or just over the line in Mass. The Gilson Road lot was closed last winter, not sure about now.

Check out the categories/archives section for older posts; I've written gobs about places to go run/ride/hike around here. See the Trail Treasures section for info on rail trails in particular (tho the contest is long over). See also "Area Trail Maps"

Re: Bicycling beats blues, barely

Carol — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 04:47:07 -0000

I don't blame ya on needing a few more bike rides! I've never been snow biking, but always admire people not afraid to venture out in it. Could you please explain how to get to the rail trail and if there is parking, etc. I just discovered Mine Falls last year and would love to try the rail trail next!