January 10, 2011

First Snow of the Season

I’ve been waiting for this day for months: first snow!

Conditions for snow-biking were just about perfect. Mid-20’s temperature. Light wind. About 2 inches of fluffy powder on the ground, and more falling. First snow of winter, so most drivers were taking it slow, or staying home entirely.

I switched over to my snow tires, a set of Specialized Hardrock’rs with super deep knobbies, and switched to flat pedals as well, so that I could wear the new winter boots I got for Christmas.

The view from my garage -- a couple inches on the ground, and more coming down. Ready to ride!
Stopping beneath the power transmission lines, I could hear the electric popping of snowflakes as they're vaporized (I assume).
A peaceful tree-lined gravel road...
Falling snow covers all, and obscures the distant trees.
A stone fence, falling snow, and crystallized flakes melting on a Brooks leather saddle.
A red barn framed by a lane of snow-laden cedar trees.
The snow was falling thick and fat in an idyllic scene of road and bridge.
It was a joyful ride!
Making first tracks on a trail while traffic passed on nearby I-35.
Making first tracks on a trail while traffic passed on nearby I-35.
Snow continued to fall heavily as I made my way home.
A good look at the aggressive knobs on the Hardrock'r.

I got in about 15 miles, and it was just the ride I was looking for. Such a different experience to ride familiar roads transformed by a layer of white.

The tires did a good job in the fresh snow. I experiences some slipping and sliding as snow compacted by car tires gave way under the big knobs, but I never went down.

My way home was into a 12 MPH headwind, with deepening snow (perhaps 4 inches by the time I pulled into my garage). The forecast is calling for more snow overnight, but with cold temps and high winds, it’ll start drifting, and I may hole up until more mellow conditions return in a few days.

We may have snow cover from now until March, or it may be gone in a week, there’s no telling. But I hope to get out into the white again soon!

CategoriesRide Reports

DirtBum Written by:

I enjoy riding bicycles all over -- city streets, suburbia, rural roads, gravel roads, dirt roads, rail-trails, and singletrack. I love exploring the countryside and finding the interesting and historical treasures hidden in plain sight. You can follow my rides on Strava.

2 Comments

  1. trailsnet
    January 14, 2011

    You’re a brave soul, Randy.
    I’m waiting for it to melt before I hit the trail. Either that or wait until next week when I’ll be in Southern Utah & Nevada. It looks like the weather will be nice down there, so hopefully I’ll get in a couple bike rides.

  2. karin cordry
    January 26, 2011

    Your photos really portray the beauty of snow, of silence and of being alone. Thanks from sunny, noisy and busy L.A.

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