Studs for the weekend?

[Jisch]

It sure looks like studs will be the tire of choice this weekend. Yesterday topped out at 50, today looks like its going there too. The weekend looks to be cold so I think we're going to end up with really hard snow and/or ice to ride on. Yet another twist to the winter riding season here in NE, gotta love that.

John

[Slider]

Nope. Not studs. If it refreezes, there will be lots of texture to the snow. There will be some treacherous patches, like the pic you got, Jisch, but the real problem will be unpacked corn snow that is nothing more than frozen rolling resistance. My guess is we'll be riding only where hikers/skiers/snowmobiles have prepared a track for us.

Or we could ride Otis....

Slider

[Slappy]

Or we could ride Otis....

Slider

I'm thinking the same thing...never been tho.
Anybody up for playing tour guide? Or at least got some recommendations?

[Jisch]

Nope. Not studs. .... My guess is we'll be riding only where hikers/skiers/snowmobiles have prepared a track for us.

Or we could ride Otis....

Slider

Not sure Otis is in the cards... have to see.

Agreed on the packed down snow comment. If you had studded tires, you'd see things differently. :-)

John

[hammerhead]

Wendell will be the place to be. Studs optional.

Last week's storm dropped about 12" of powder on a patchy 2-3 base.

Lots of snowmobile traffic on the roads last weekend has them firm but not icy, and plenty of ski and snow shoe tracking on the ST should make a bunch of that pretty nice as well. I expect the riding to be SWEET up there after this freeze thaw freeze cycle.

I'd be up there after work tonight tracking a bit more if I hadn't opted to commute on the Road bike this morning.

H

[MTBME]

Wendell will be the place to be. Studs optional. Last week's storm dropped about 12" of powder on a patchy 2-3 base. Lots of snowmobile traffic on the roads last weekend has them firm but not icy, and plenty of ski and snow shoe tracking on the ST should make a bunch of that pretty nice as well. I expect the riding to be SWEET up there after this freeze thaw freeze cycle.
H

I don't know. I'm having a hard time picturing that. Twelve inches on new snow would seem to make the singletrack unrideable. And I'm not driving to Wendall to ride on hard pack fireroads so... I'm with Slappy about heading South to the cape. Never been to Otis but the Trail of tears is pretty fine riding.

[Slappy]

Taking it over to the ride board...

[Jisch]

I was just thinking about this, I'm not even close to being sick of riding in the snow. I was just out back and the snow here is very wet and clunky - not corn snow unless you stomp and stomp on it. Its still breaking in huge chunks. If it gets as cold as they say, then I think we're talking hard, almost ice-like snow - perfect for riding.

I'll get to Otis/ToT one of these times...

John

[Slider]

Otis is a major trek from here in CT. Google says 2h 22m. No problem for us childless types, but a solo drive that long sucks

I really miss the place. Can you carve out a day, Jisch?

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[hammerhead]

I don't know. I'm having a hard time picturing that. Twelve inches on new snow would seem to make the singletrack unrideable. And I'm not driving to Wendall to ride on hard pack fireroads so... I'm with Slappy about heading South to the cape. Never been to Otis but the Trail of tears is pretty fine riding.

Suit yourself. My experience says dry snow + packed hard + a day or two in the mid 40s + refrozen = A Great Riding surface when temps stay below 32 (nasty as all get out above that or in the sun!).

I know where I'll be without the 3hr drive.

H.

[MTBME]

Suit yourself. My experience says dry snow + packed hard + a day or two in the mid 40s + refrozen = A Great Riding surface when temps stay below 32 (nasty as all get out above that or in the sun!).

I know where I'll be without the 3hr drive.

H.

True, but I believe temps are approaching maybe 40 on Saturday. As far as the drive, from where I live, Wendell and the cape are the same distance.

[hammerhead]

Uh-oh 6"+ of new. Wendell will be for skiers and shoers this WE, but I think the moguls are calling me to more vertical endeavors.

H.

[MTBME]

Hey spring is just over 3 weeks away.