Yeah its winter but that doesn't mean you have to stop riding. Actually once ground frost takes place and it stays cold it is less harmful to a trail than soggy fall or spring riding. One of the best rides I’ve had this fall was last week at Ontario County Park, high in the Bristol Hills it was 22 degrees, 2 inches of new snow, singletrack and the beautiful landscape. Don Lyons, the park superintendent who lives at the entrance, encourages Mt. Biking and the park is open all year. It is also one of the best places for winter hiking and snowshoeing. VMTBC members had a workday at OCP in early November and by clearing the trail it is very dry, firm and frozen. Make sure you stop and say hello to Don and tell him how much we appreciate what he does. So wherever you go to ride go when it is frozen, avoiding greasy thawed surfaces that take a toll on the trail tread. Avoid wet areas since your rut will soon freeze and trap water. Also come out to a trail workday and help maintain the trails that you use.
Here are some basic things to consider for winter riding:
· Ride when the trail is frozen, go early if it is going to warm up
· If it is cold and frozen the trail is "dry"
· If it is wet at the trailhead it will most likely be wet on the trail, let it freeze and try it another day
· Stay off thawed trails it takes a toll on the surface
· Avoid wet areas, get off and carry you bike, ruts ruin trails
· Roots, leaves, ice, snow packed trail Oh My! Be careful
· Dress appropriately, stay warm and layer
· Cycling speeds increase wind chill, i.e. frostbite on exposed skin
· Exposed metal on skin can cause frostbite, watches, key chains, jewelry
· Bring a cell phone
· Your camelback and line might freeze. try to keep it internal
· Keep your bike outside before you ride, warm bike = frozen parts
· After your ride if you bring the bike inside make sure it dries completely before you take it back outside.
· Use winter lubricants and grease
· When the bike drifts sideways make small corrections rather than over steering
· Plastic parts freeze and become brittle, be kind to those parts
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