Cycle in snow tips

StereoSound

Can't drive today so the Hybrid bike is out.... Never cycled in snow before.

Snow cycling super tips needed. What should I do and not do? If I can minimise the embarrassment of falling on my backside in traffic that would be nice.

magicbastarder

if you don't have a bike or tyres suitable for cycling in the snow, best tip is... don't.

wanderer 22

I'm sure Alek would be posting here but he's probably halfway up Kippure right now.

mamax

StereoSound wrote: »

What should I do and not do?

Don't cycle !

Weepsie

If you have to ask, you probably shouldn't cycle.

Unless you have chunky tyres with good treads or better yet spikes, it's not worth it. Vehicles, even allowing for them giving you loads of space today will be twitchier than normal as would you.

With that said, id say 75% of my route would have been a dawdle today.

Alek

I'm sure Alek would be posting here but he's probably halfway up Kippure right now.

I'm waiting for more snow.

Can't drive today so the Hybrid bike is out.... Never cycled in snow before.

Let some air off the tyres. Make them squishy, but not flat.

Cycle slow, accelerate and brake carefully.

Don't combine turning with braking.

Be prepared to put the foot down to prop yourself.

Choose the right path: avoid ice. Slush and fresh snow is fine as long as there is no ice underneath, but its always a tad to late to tell this

It may be safer to go on the road if cars have melted the snow already and there is no hard / freezing, compacted slush on the tarmac, sidewalk will almost always be worse choice. But not if you fall... Choices, choices.

Unless you have chunky tyres with good treads or better yet spikes, it's not worth it.

I've seen many people today on their road and hybrid bikes, managing better than me on my Snow Studs. Their tyres managed to cut through the snow nicely while mine were sliding sideways sometimes.

Then I've let a good bit of air out and it was fine again.

Weepsie

Alek wrote: »

I've seen many people today on their road and hybrid bikes, managing better than me on my Snow Studs. Their tyres managed to cut through the snow nicely while mine were sliding sideways sometimes.

Then I've let a good bit of air out and it was fine again.

I don't think the snow will be the problem later though. It'll be the compacted snow and ice. Then you're spiked tyres win the day.

Mine are at home looking sadly out the window as I had a crash last week and I've been warned not to cycle by loved ones

detones

Good to see you this morning Alex!! My cyclocross tyres (rocket rons) held up pretty well and was surprised with grip, had a couple of hairy moments where snow was compacted. Contemplating putting cable ties around tyres for trip home if it gets bad, what you think?

C3PO

Take the mountain bike!

Alek

Good to see you this morning Alex!! My cyclocross tyres (rocket rons) held up pretty well and was surprised with grip, had a couple of hairy moments where snow was compacted. Contemplating putting cable ties around tyres for trip home if it gets bad, what you think?

I was expecting you, who if not one of the threepeakers would be commuting today


Cable ties - why not? Tell me how they work, never tried!

Certainly go down to CX / mud pressures, 30-odd psi. This helped me today a lot.

Wishbone Ash

Probably better with flat pedals or dual sided pedals. As Alek said, you have to be prepared to put your foot out when the tyres leave you.

cython

Don't be this guy:pac:

Alek

Don't be this guy

Why? (considering it is not a motorway)

Weepsie

detones wrote: »

Contemplating putting cable ties around tyres for trip home if it gets bad, what you think?

Not if you have rim brakes

Weepsie

Alek wrote: »

Why? (considering it is not a motorway)

Surely he means the driver, operating a camera, posting to social media while while driving in dangerous conditions

irishrover99

God help anyone going east later.
That wind has really picked up.

Sleeper12

I've been on motorways mostly today but I've only seen one cyclist so far. I thought he was brave

cython

Alek wrote: »

Why? (considering it is not a motorway)

Is it not? The comment accompanying the video suggests that it is, though I don't recognise it to say with certainty

Weepsie

cython wrote: »

Is it not? The comment accompanying the video suggests that it is, though I don't recognise it to say with certainty

It's been identified as the Navan Road.

Gardai should be lambasting the driver.

guanciale

Forget the naysayers. Cycling in snow is awesome. I was out for 2 hours on the cx bike. Mixture of roads, path, parktrails.
I used 33mm CX tyres at 45psi.
Plenty of grip.
It is most enjoyable cycling in fresh snow. The compacted stuff is likely to freeze overnight and thrn to ice. Today is the day to cycle as tomorrow is suuposed to be dire.

My advice is to think carefully about a route the gets you where you are going but can use as much offroad as possible.
In Dublin that would be canals, Phoenix Park etc.
I have cantis and the brake blocks do get covered in snow. Going downhill in snow with unusable brakes is a novel way to cure constipation!

guanciale

Only downside is that cleats and spds got covered in snow and ice. Flat ledals possibly better in snow.
Oh, i also brought a flask of tea to stay warm.

LennoxR

There just ain't no way lads....

mollser

Cycled in this morning on the mtb, it was awesome! Heavy going through the fresh powder and a few slides here and there, but improving the skillz all the time!

I was out with the dog earlier , that easterly wind blowing snow/hail in your face is no joke. Couldn't look straight ahead for more than a second or two at a time without getting snow in my eyes.

magicbastarder

if you do go out today on the bike, don't forget your hi-vis - the blackest piece of clothing you can find.

neris

Wishbone Ash

Weepsie wrote: »

Not if you have rim brakes

He doesn't!

Wishbone Ash

neris wrote: »

Yes, sock height is all wrong.

CramCycle

guanciale wrote: »

Only downside is that cleats and spds got covered in snow and ice. Flat ledals possibly better in snow.
Oh, i also brought a flask of tea to stay warm.

+1 glad my pedals are dual sided, cleats were just jammed with ice. Roads outside of estates were grand. Not much traffic either. Stayed to the road most of the time, no real issues.

neris

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

He doesn't!

At least he's got a long sleeve top on. Unlike the lad I saw yesterday going into malahide in a pair of football shorts & a wifebeater shirt in a howling gale

rubadub

Alek wrote: »

Cable ties - why not? Tell me how they work, never tried!

some just put them on without caring where the join is. But I think below is the real idea, to form spikes with the joining bit.




My tips would be
-wear several layers of clothes, not just for warmth but protection if/when you fall. I have MTB leg & arm protection, before I got it my 3 sweatshirts & jacket cushioned me fairly well.

-Expect to fall, look up safe ways to fall, even consider practicing in a safe place.

-expect other cyclists or pedestrians to fall.

-Get off and walk if you feel anyway unsafe.

-get off the road if cars are going up steep hills. Cycling on fresh snow on the grass can be a good option, but stuff can be hidden under the snow.