I started road riding / group riding in the spring of 2024 at the age of 66.
This year was my first with WCC. It’s been a great season of riding.
Last winter I purchased a smart trainer in the hopes of staying in shape over the winter. That didn’t work out for me, lots of pain without any exhilaration.
This year I decided to try winter bike riding, trading sweat for snot, so to speak.
@Bill has been an invaluable resource in getting set up with the bike, gear and what to expect. My goal is to share my experiences so that if others are thinking about winter riding (other than fat biking) this may inspire them to give it a shot.
Once you read my account of last Saturdays ride ( Nov 29 2025 ), you will probably not be so inspired.
My winter bike.
Its a Norco Search (McPhail’s) with the Shimano Cues group set, Continental Top Contact snow tires and a separate front wheel set up with a studded tire for icy conditions. Fenders, fender extensions, Trek Frame (Ziggys) Bag and Bar Mitts for the drops.
On Nov 29, I put in my front studded tire and rode up to St Jacobs to meet @Bill Prior to that Bill asked me if I was sure that I wanted to do this given that large dump of snow and the fact that the snow clearing crews had not done a great job.
I confirmed I did, eager to try out the winter bike in “real” conditions.
We ended up doing a short loop of some country roads around St Jacobs, the roads really icy and inconsistent. I started to get confident with that front studded tire. I did go off the bike gently while we were together with no harm done to me or the bike.
Sorry about the fall Peter. Hope you heal quickly. While we can’t say for sure what caused your fall, I would strongly recommend you put a studded tire on the rear as well. The studs will really minimize the rear from fish tailing and hopefully keep you upright.
Hi Peter, It sucks that you crashed. Take care, especially with the concussion. Concussions can linger if not treated properly. Just a reminder that the club {Concussion Policy](Concussion Policy) includes return to sport protocol.
I’ve ridden with just a front-studded tire and had crosswinds spin my rear wheel on an untreated road. I was going backwards before I hit the ground. That was a harsh lesson.
Studs are great for ice; they don’t really make a difference in snow and ruts. If anything, sometimes they are worse than a gravel tire at least the marathon tires I’ve used. They are slow, but hey, that helps with wind chill.
Hey Peter, Rick here … hope you’re doing ok now! I just sent Bill a note … my post hip replacement surgery is going really well … have already been skiing at Chicopee! My surgeon was not impressed about the winter riding … but I’ve been doing really well at Physio … and got the green light from him lol. So the bike is in at Ziggy’s getting winterized and the studded tires on … hope to see the gang out and about sometime soon! Rick
That would be a great question for Bill. The last ride I think you would have been OK without studs. Also we are out in the open roads not on sheltered trails. So the wind may be a factor. Love to see you come out with us.
The gravel has been pretty good. The graders can get pretty much plough down to the gravel, but there are still places where it is icy. The paved roads have actually been the worst part. The cold weather and the salt shortage means some challenging conditions on some of the pavement. As we get into the maple syrup weather, the conditions get even more favourable for ice.
Although we haven’t been going fast, I expect it would be a serious effort to keep up on a fat bike, unless of course the rental also had e-assist.
You could also consider Kevin’s Fatventures, but studded tire tend to be helpful there as well.
We have almost one week of February in the books. Hopefully only a few more weeks until we start seeing some spring weather.
I was out for a couple of hours this morning, ideal conditions ( -1C low wind) and I finally got the clothing right. One layer on the bottom and two up top. Carried extra layers just in case.
Every time I’ve been out the conditions have been different. Today the dirt roads were snow covered with little gravel poking through.
I was happy to have the studs on, in particular getting to and from St Jacobs
