Metric Century through snow.. should I try? :)

Hey all,
Last year my friend and I (both casual cyclists) did a metric century for
lack of anything else to do. It was really fun, challenging and 75% on loose
gravel! The trail used to be a railroad...

Because I'm currently bored, I was toying with the idea of doing the same
ride again, but in the winter. We get O.K. snowfall here (Windsor Ontario
Canada), and I'd like to try it when there's a good amount of snow falling.
I love the whole idea of the "two against the north" situation, being out
there slowly riding through a foot or two of snow that nobody's ever walked
on in the middle of nowhere for about 10 hours

I'm wondering if anyone else has done any similar rides, and has any
advice??

Obviously it's totally different than a regular Century on road. So I'm just
wondering what preparations I should make if I want to do this ride in a few
months. Also, any specific modifications we should be making to our mountain
bikes. Things we should and shouldn't carry, and suggestions for clothing,
etc.

100KM's in the snow seems like a lot to me, so I'd be willing to take it
down to 50 or something reasonable depending on the situation/weather, etc.

Mike
http://mikebeauchamp.com

Mike, I grew up in Michigan and spent a lot of time riding on snow and
ice. It's more stamina sapping than you think, trying to maintain
balance, stopping, starting and turning. Add some dead weight to your
bike might help (a sand bag? :-)

Mike Beauchamp wrote:

Hey all,
Last year my friend and I (both casual cyclists) did a metric century for
lack of anything else to do. It was really fun, challenging and 75% on loose
gravel! The trail used to be a railroad...

Because I'm currently bored, I was toying with the idea of doing the same
ride again, but in the winter. We get O.K. snowfall here (Windsor Ontario
Canada), and I'd like to try it when there's a good amount of snow falling.
I love the whole idea of the "two against the north" situation, being out
there slowly riding through a foot or two of snow that nobody's ever walked
on in the middle of nowhere for about 10 hours

I'm wondering if anyone else has done any similar rides, and has any
advice??

Obviously it's totally different than a regular Century on road. So I'm just
wondering what preparations I should make if I want to do this ride in a few
months. Also, any specific modifications we should be making to our mountain
bikes. Things we should and shouldn't carry, and suggestions for clothing,
etc.

100KM's in the snow seems like a lot to me, so I'd be willing to take it
down to 50 or something reasonable depending on the situation/weather, etc.

Mike
http://mikebeauchamp.com

Sat, 22 Nov 2003 22:47:47 -0500, ,
"Mike Beauchamp" wrote:


Obviously it's totally different than a regular Century on road. So I'm just
wondering what preparations I should make if I want to do this ride in a few
months

It's going to take considerably longer to complete.
Go to the source http://www.icebike.org/
--
zk

Mike Beauchamp wrote:
: suggestions for clothing,

don't forget the sock.
--
david reuteler

Mike Beauchamp wrote:

Hey all,
Last year my friend and I (both casual cyclists) did a metric century for
lack of anything else to do. It was really fun, challenging and 75% on loose
gravel! The trail used to be a railroad...

If it's like the (active) railroad gravel around here, that would be pretty amazing.

Very large gravs, and well above ground support. It's an anti-bike design I think.
You can ride on it but balance is a problem and it's extremely slow.
--
Ron Hardin


On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.

Here's a picture of what the trail looks like:

http://beauchamp.relyon.ca/gallery/pelee05.html

It's kinda cool actually, for what I can expect in "the car capitol of
canada".

Mike
http://mikebeauchamp.com

"Ron Hardin" wrote in message
...
Mike Beauchamp wrote:

Hey all,
Last year my friend and I (both casual cyclists) did a metric century
for
lack of anything else to do. It was really fun, challenging and 75% on
loose
gravel! The trail used to be a railroad...

If it's like the (active) railroad gravel around here, that would be
pretty amazing.

Very large gravs, and well above ground support. It's an anti-bike design
I think.
You can ride on it but balance is a problem and it's extremely slow.
--
Ron Hardin


On the internet, nobody knows you're a jerk.

Thanks dude, that link is great!!

Mike
http://mikebeauchamp.com

"Zoot Katz" wrote in message
...
Sat, 22 Nov 2003 22:47:47 -0500, ,
"Mike Beauchamp" wrote:


Obviously it's totally different than a regular Century on road. So I'm
just
wondering what preparations I should make if I want to do this ride in a
few
months

It's going to take considerably longer to complete.
Go to the source http://www.icebike.org/
--
zk

Richard Adams wrote:
Mike, I grew up in Michigan and spent a lot of time riding on snow and
ice. It's more stamina sapping than you think, trying to maintain
balance, stopping, starting and turning. Add some dead weight to your
bike might help (a sand bag? :-)

Maybe you should just get a newspaper route? I got my fill of winter
riding that way many years ago.

"Mike Beauchamp" wrote in message

Obviously it's totally different than a regular Century on road. So I'm
just
wondering what preparations I should make if I want to do this ride in a
few months

For snow, knobbies will be just fine. Studs help with ice, but you asked
about snow, didn't you? But it will be slow. Snow is somewhat like mud,
only tastier (stay away from the yellow flavors). Virgin snow is the best,
and riding during a snow shower is much fun.

You may want to get one of those insulated water bottles. They are mostly
made for summer use, but put hot tap water in them and they are good for 5
hours or so at 20F.

I find it's hard to predict how difficult a snowy route will be. Under some
conditions (e.g. rough ice from pedestrian usage underlying slush, or 8
inches of snow of any kind) I find it impossible. So, I'd be inclined to
make it an adventure, but realize ahead of time that you may not be able to
do 100km.

Thanks for the reply.. I'm not expecting to get 100KM's done really, I just
think that's an ultimate goal. Something to shoot for instead of just "going
for a ride", I find it more fun that way I guess.

I'm imagining the snow is going to be about 8-12" of virgin snow.. Obviously
I'll check it out first and give it a trial run and everything..

Thanks for the insulated bottle tip!!

Mike
http://mikebeauchamp.com

"Mike Kruger" wrote in message
s.com...
"Mike Beauchamp" wrote in message

Obviously it's totally different than a regular Century on road. So I'm
just
wondering what preparations I should make if I want to do this ride in a
few months

For snow, knobbies will be just fine. Studs help with ice, but you asked
about snow, didn't you? But it will be slow. Snow is somewhat like mud,
only tastier (stay away from the yellow flavors). Virgin snow is the
best,
and riding during a snow shower is much fun.

You may want to get one of those insulated water bottles. They are mostly
made for summer use, but put hot tap water in them and they are good for 5
hours or so at 20F.

I find it's hard to predict how difficult a snowy route will be. Under
some
conditions (e.g. rough ice from pedestrian usage underlying slush, or 8
inches of snow of any kind) I find it impossible. So, I'd be inclined to
make it an adventure, but realize ahead of time that you may not be able
to
do 100km.