A bit of minor winter weather this morning.
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Finally using the non-studded winter tires I bought last year:
It didn’t really snow at all last year, so today was my first snowmute since winter 22/23.
Verdict: while they ride like dogshit, they are still significantly more pleasant than any studded tire.
Traction today (fresh powder with a mix of solid and slush compact under sun and 12F air) was solid. Not perfect, but no dicey situations. Like studs, I felt like I had to be careful, but there were no terrifying moments.
In classic continental form these “50mm” tires feel more like a skinny 38mm.
Also, amused that all the new pedestrian bump outs all over MPLS are
too narrow for the bike lane plows. Whoops!
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One addendum — smaller size is probably good. I always run fenders no matter what so a bit extra clearance for snow is probably a good thing.
Lucky!
Bike lanes are usually plowed before general purpose lanes in the glorious north
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I have these in 37 and it’s like riding on bricks, but I don’t get mushed up fenders in the churn anymore!
I only fall once per year since switching to these tires, which is like a 400% reduction from before. Or maybe I’m subconsciously riding more cautiously because each fall is about 600% more punishing to my aging body. Anyway good tires.
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I’ve missed your detailed snow descriptions!
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I give MPLS a lot of shit for its mostly phoned-in bicycle network but goddamn do they nail winter biking network maintenance fuck yes
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We’ve had a few days of melt and freeze and oddly the Ice Bastard on studded tires feels reasonably quick. Will check back in March…
not sure where to put this.
today we are reminded about the importance of careful preparation for a trip to warmer climates:
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you must be a really good dancer
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Christmas afternoon ride. It was much breezier and snowier than anticipated, but the track was real good.
After maybe half an hour of riding the track was starting to get really drifted over. Harder to ride thru the new snow, and you absolutely must stay on the packed track to not sink up to the hubs.
I turned around to be sure I could find my way back ok. I know this loop pretty well and continuing onward as dusk approached would have been a bad idea.
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It’s winter week here in Texas!!! I get to ride wearing insulated gloves and a wool cap with the ear flaps! It was cold enough yesterday that my front trigger shifter balked the first time I tried to shift into my big ring.
We have a dusting of snow in the forecast for Thursday night. I’m wondering if that means it’s finally time to mount up the new set of fat bike tires I bought for god knows why
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Very wintery on the lakefront this morning, 16f. I love how sloooooow the water moves when it’s this cold.
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Gee wiz, I don’t know if they put enough salt on the trail this morning lol.
Totally stunning conditions otherwise.
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