My UK Winter snow experience----home made snow tyres

[DirtyGinge]

Hi All
well, don't know if you know or not, but we have had a bit of a bad winter in the UK

Still, no reason not to cycle my 40 mile round trip ( man or mouse stiff upper lip and all that)

Anyway, the way I go to work is 20 mile one way through remote unsheltered country( no lights, no people, just cow)
there is an 8 mile section that is always the coldest around ....5C lower than anywhere else ( record this year -17C)and the ice pack has been severe this year...still being an "enthusiast" ( translate=man in shed with bike and beer)

i decided to build these home made snow tyres

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlHDMC6rj0E

they do make a massive difference....if your stupid on them, then you will slide, but for average cycling, 15 mph on packed ice not much problem...

still, wasnt sure if they really made a difference, so during a minor thaw, took them off and replaced with schwalbe marathons ( normal use tyre)

had to walk 1 mile back just to get back to tarmac, as I just couldnt stay on the bike..fall fall fall, dirt. they do seem to make the difference in ice between on the bike and off....simple...

just make sure you do back them off with good tape as in the video, otherwise they will pinch the tube and cause punctures

hope this helps all

regards

[GM Canada]

"enthusiast" ( translate=man in shed with bike and beer)

Hahaha, can I relate to that! What a great video as well!

Gary

[MonkeyMagic]

The guy in the video is an Aussie for sure
I'm thankful I don't have snow!

Gary, do you get snow where you live? I think I remember you saying somewhere you weren't using your wheels due to weather

[Hardcore]

I think it snows in Canada

[DirtyGinge]

yup not my video im afraid, an aussie in Japan, now thats got to be entertaining to watch

still, thought it was easier than pics to share the message

regards

[GM Canada]

The guy in the video is an Aussie for sure
I'm thankful I don't have snow!

Gary, do you get snow where you live? I think I remember you saying somewhere you weren't using your wheels due to weather

Here is a picture out on the road today, it doesnt snow much here compared to other parts of Canada that have already had snowstorms of over 1 meter in one day. I also Included a picture of Lake Louise in the summer and you can still see alot of snow in the mountains.

Gary

[DirtyGinge]

I must say gary, that lake looks sweet   ., msut be good summer cycling

[MonkeyMagic]

um thats snow dude

[Hardcore]

um thats snow dude

to whom do you refer to with dude

[Andrew]

there's not one American posting on this thread so the word dude cannot be used! - Fact!

[Hardcore]

dude isn't just for americans, I hope

[MonkeyMagic]

Andrew is taking it personal because he must own a dude ranch lol

[Andrew]

no dudes on my ranch, just dudettes! - what ever that means i'm not sure

Anyway dudes, i've got some spare old knobbly tyres, it could be a tempting activity to do over several dark evenings

Thanks for the Link 'Ginge

[DirtyGinge]

no worries

Im sure you all, like me, don't want the a%% hitting the deck....but I do like my winter crispy cycling

A real snowy cycle is almost as good as a warm spring morning for me, just the stopping problem is different

Got the dual pies yet andrew ?, my second finally cleared customs today.......soldering iron time

[GM Canada]

no dudes on my ranch, just dudettes! - what ever that means i'm not sure

Anyway dudes, i've got some spare old knobbly tyres, it could be a tempting activity to do over several dark evenings

Thanks for the Link 'Ginge

Dude and Dudette have been two fun names for my kids since they could understand the term. My daugther even used to say "I'm not a dude, I'm a dudette!"

Gary