snow riding

Old Man Winter is really sockin’ it us this year! The east coast has blanketed by snow almost consisently since Christmas with only a few thaws. I’ve never been a fan of winter, but snow riding can be fun and quite a workout, especially when pushing one gear.

For the first time that I know of, the traditional "Superbowl Ride" that takes place west of Harrisonburg VA consisting of a climb to "Flagpole", a ridge on Reddish Knob, was SNOWED OUT. The snow was too deep for a ride. Instead, locals skied and snow-shoed the climb.

Yesterday’s ride had a contingent of riders, over 87% on wagon-wheels!
All 29ers in this pic at the start of the first wave:

The snow was 98% manageable on the fireroads of Pocahontas. There were some deep spots and some climbs that had to be walked, but once we had worn a slushy groove thru the powder, we had some mini snow singletrack.

I don’t like the cold…I definitely prefer the hot sweatyness of summer to the cold starkness of winter. I miss seeing green.

Singlespeed/lighttouring/fireroad/lightsingletracktwo-niner bike

Behold, the latest re-incarnation of green El Mariachi.

Picked up a rear fender last night from Carytown Bicycle Co and a cable for the rear brake. Thought about going fixie on it, but I don’t want to kill my knees prematurely…
Rode it around the hood the other nite, thru some snow and ice and it felt pretty good.

18” El Mariachi
Waltworks fork
32x18 drivetrain, Eno cranks, Hope hubs, Salsa Delagado rims
Origin-8 gary bar with Tektro brake levers

I'll be on the lookout for a lightweight rear rack for some light touring/bike camping type of stuff...should be fun.

lunch break....

Ahhhhh, that felt good…..with the never-ending rain around these parts, riding time has suffered tremendously.

Today I hit some pavement with the Univega fix-er-up'er. I discovered a lunch-break loop that will be a regular for me now…huge parking lot with some elevation change, virtually no traffic, nice breeze, and close proximity to both where I work and also to places to eat/shop. (I do have to eat lunch as well now!)

After a quick change of pants to some knickers and throwing on the shoes, jacket, gloves, shades and earwarmers I was able to get in 5 circuits….enough to get the heart rate up and stretch the legs.

Gearing: 42 x 15