Cycling Thread

[Bigtime]

Wasn't even going to try it today, over the weekend was able to see parts of the nose creek path, still no evidence of any clearing. So that plus snow overnight had me going "nope".

Now if one had a fat bike I bet today is hella fun.

[Fuzz]

Yup would have been a fat bike day for sure. The ride was tough, but it was still better than the bus...

On the plus side, I can fit my big mitts inside my bar mitts, for unlimited cold protection. Now I just need to beef up my shoe covers a bit and should be good for -30.

[Coys1882]

Don't get me wrong, I love cycling but you mother####ers are all crazy.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

This fresh snow is easy to ride through....but I really don't look forward to the sand like consistency of crud that'll be around when things warm up....

[Wormius]

When do pathways start to get cleared?

[Bigtime]

Friday afternoon was my worst ride of the winter, none of the nose creek path had been cleared at all from Fox Hollow down to Telus Spark. Bumpy underneath, powder on top making it damn near impossible to not slide around everywhere. So I headed for St. George's drive at Telus Spark, and then dropped back down to the north side Bow river path. Still not cleared there either until I hit the East Village, things started improving and just before the Peace bridge I got a flat on my rear tire. So I ended up walking the last 1km home.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Coys1882

Don't get me wrong, I love cycling but you mother####ers are all crazy.

Well, my commute was 32 minutes, my wife just got in, took her an hour to go 6 km. On the bus. So I'd say I win. Plus I got my exercise in for the day, so no going to a crappy gym!

[Coys1882]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Well, my commute was 32 minutes, my wife just got in, took her an hour to go 6 km. On the bus. So I'd say I win. Plus I got my exercise in for the day, so no going to a crappy gym!

HAHA - I say it as a term of endearment. I'm actually intrigued now and am currently looking at tyre options.

What's the minimum tyre width you recommend?

[Coys1882]

If I try this - this is the bike I would convert:
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-ca...0697/#overview

Here are the specs:
TB-07AL brakes, Shimano STR-221 levers
8-speed, 11 - 28 teeth
700 x 32c Kenda Kwest
Alex CR06 rims

what would you guys do?

[Fuzz]

People ride on all types. I use a mountain bike tire, 1.95.

Honestly 2 years ago I thought winter riding was crazy too. Then I started last year(admittedly an easy year) and I can't go back to the ####ty bus. It really isn't bad with the right clothes. Sure, a few days like today are a workout, but I'd be grumpier on the bus.

[Coys1882]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

People ride on all types. I use a mountain bike tire, 1.95.

Honestly 2 years ago I thought winter riding was crazy too. Then I started last year(admittedly an easy year) and I can't go back to the ####ty bus. It really isn't bad with the right clothes. Sure, a few days like today are a workout, but I'd be grumpier on the bus.

I had a #### commute this AM on deerfoot which is why I'm thinking about it.

Being cold isn't my worry - it's wiping out and breaking something. I'm not sure I'm fully confident in how well these winter tyres work on ice. What do you guys do going down big hills? Walk it down or giv'er?

[worth]

Giv'er. I think I hit 38kph coming down the hill at fox hollow last week. it was manageable with winter tires and I don't have a ton of experience riding in the snow.

That bike would be fine in the snow. I'm riding a crappy 90's rockhopper. Just put some winter tires on it and some lights (front and rear!) and go to town.

[Fuzz]

I'd put on fenders, lights and put these on:
https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5039-637/Winter-Tire-700
Some people say they don't need studs, it depends on the route you take. Mine has a lot of tricky sections so I need them.

[Fuzz]

I go down the bluff from 7th st to Sunnyside, so it is fairly steep. The studs grip very well. I have full confidence in the tires.

[Coys1882]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

I'd put on fenders, lights and put these on:
https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5039-637/Winter-Tire-700
Some people say they don't need studs, it depends on the route you take. Mine has a lot of tricky sections so I need them.

I wonder if I have the space between the forks for the 40s.

Thanks for the advice guys.

[Bigtime]

I'm using 35mm studs for the winter, my summer tire is a 40mm. Friday morning and afternoon last week it was a real struggle, but if the paths get cleared decently (scraped would be nice) it's been very easy going riding this winter (first one for me).

[I-Hate-Hulse]

I'm running these on the winter warrior:

https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5041-4...1%22-Wire-Tire

2.1 with a lower psi seem to make a big difference in these conditions. Not running studs has been vastly better in terms of rolling resistance, but then again I don't deal with a lot of hills.

Key thing - go slow when you have to and be prepared to bail out at any time. Save the Strava records for another day.

[Bigtime]

Not bad this morning, all the paths I was on were cleared and just had a layer of trace snow from overnight. Much better than my Friday ride home.

[Nyah]

I would love to bike to work, but I don't think there would even be a route from McKenzie Towne to the core. At least not in the winter. Does anyone have any city wide maps or routes?

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Nyah

I would love to bike to work, but I don't think there would even be a route from McKenzie Towne to the core. At least not in the winter. Does anyone have any city wide maps or routes?

If you can get to the bow river it's easy. Mckenzie lake has access to the bow valley a pathways so you have to figure out the path accross Deerfoot and you are pretty much set.