Nice ride today, yes today... Xpost from MTBR Passion

[Jisch]

Slider and I hit up the Snip again today, the third week in a row. It was a great ride. Sorry for the Xpost, I'm a lazy, lazy man.

I read somewhere over here about the "lawn test". Basically the idea is that in the spring, you only ride in the woods when you would ride on your lawn. Since my lawn was largely ice I figured the woods would be the same. I checked out a local place yesterday and it was indeed ice. I set up a ride with Slider telling him he was going to be in trouble (he doesn't have any studded tires).

We arrived at the ride late in the morning, temperature about 45 degrees. Well what was ice yesterday was ice with slush on top. Studs were not necessary (but I spun 'em anyway). We pedaled through 3 hours of this stuff, for the most part the conditions were amazing, though punishing. I rode the first half the ride spinning out and crunching through while Slider stayed on top. He was giving me crap about my studs and the irony of me not being able to ride with studs while he was having no problems without them. I let a bit o'air out of the Tioga DHs and viola instantly I was staying on top, just like him. Amazing what 20 psi of air can do.

I doubt my front tire did as many miles as we normally do, but my rear tire surely did. I can't count the number of times I stood and pedaled while my bike barely made forward progress.

A few pics that surely don't portray the difficulty of today's ride...

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d91/Jisch/DSC02164.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d91/Jisch/DSC02177.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d91/Jisch/DSC02159.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d91/Jisch/DSC02140.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d91/Jisch/DSC02137.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d91/Jisch/DSC02184.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d91/Jisch/DSC02188.jpg

I suspect this will be the last ride for a few weeks as the temps rise, the snow melts and eventually the ground thaws. Until that last event happens, the trails will be a mess.

John

[kernel crash]

At first I was envious about your ride until I got to this "I can't count the number of times I stood and pedaled while my bike barely made forward progress." That reminded me why I don't like riding in those conditions.

[Jisch]

At first I was envious about your ride until I got to this "I can't count the number of times I stood and pedaled while my bike barely made forward progress." That reminded me why I don't like riding in those conditions.

I was just making a point about some of the difficulties, overall, highly worth it. The downhills were a freaking blast. We walked a few hills that wouldn't normally be walkers, and we put in a bunch of extra miles on the back tire, but it was a great time to be in the woods.

John

[Slider]

Yeah, there was no downside. It was winter conditions at their best. Full lock slides, no brakes, at speed.

You can do things on snow that are impossible on dirt. Winter is at least as good as the freeze-deprived months. :-)

Slider

[Redsars]

Looks like a great ride....where or what is the snip ?

[Slider]

Ellington, CT. AKA Soapstone.

http://www.bikerag.com/images/MAPS/ct-soapstone_map.htm

Probably not rideable this weekend, though.

Slider

[splat]

Hey I recognize that rock in the last 2 photos . It is tons os Fun! I love the Scnip!

That and Case ! CT at its best

[Jisch]

... I love the Scnip! That and Case ! CT at its best

While the Snip and Case are fun, I'd have to give the "best" award to Middlesex - its harder, but more challenging...

John

[Plywood]

Middlesex Fells in Stoneham, Ma?

really i like it too...

ive never ridden in CT before but from the looks of it, it looks fun

[Jisch]

Middlesex Fells in Stoneham, Ma?

really i like it too...

I've never ridden in CT before but from the looks of it, it looks fun

No, the place I was talking about is Middlesex in Middletown, CT. Not sure where you live, but its probably about an hour from the Mass Pike/route 84 exit. Its a lot of rocks and tons of climbing. Guaranteed smiles and blown out legs... Its a bit more intense than the Fells (though I only rode there once so I mighta missed stuff).

A few pics of Middlesex in CT:
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d91/Jisch/DSC01294.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d91/Jisch/DSC01307.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d91/Jisch/DSC01280.jpg

John

[splat]

I haven't been there ( yet ) looks a bit like cocakponsett which is lots fun too :)

[Slider]

Something like Cockaponsett, but better. Someday we'll have to show you just how much better.

Slider