After Dark Snowbiking
I've been following the Iditarod Trail Invitational and have been having an itch to get out and ride my Pugsley. I had such a great time riding in the dark at the Arrowhead Ultra 135 that I decided to head out into the dark after I got home from work today.With temps in the single digits last night and only reaching into the low 20's today I was expecting some great trail conditions. No telling how much longer these trail conditions will last. It supposed to rain Sunday.
Sure enough it was some of the best conditions I've been on. I had the Endomorphs pumped up to 12 psi tonight. Seemed to be about right. I could ride all but the steepest parts of the hills. I went out as soon as the last bit of daylight was gone. With no moon up yet it was very dark. I was loving it! Lots of stars out and with the clear skies the temperatures dropped about 10 degrees during the hour and fifteen minutes I was out.
I live less than a mile from the snowmobile trail access trail. I took it over to the Munger, headed west till I got past Spirit Mountain ski area. I then took a side trail up the ridge to Skyline crossing under the old train trestle on the way. Across Skyline I picked up a snowmobile trail that would take me around Spirit Mountain to the eastern side for a quick descent along Knowlton Creek and back home.
A beautiful 12 mile loop. If I didn't have to get up and go to work tomorrow I could have stayed out another couple of hours. It doesn't get much better!!Sunday: skied
Monday: 19 mi
Tuesday: 20 mi
Wednesday: 27 mi
February: 459 mi
2008: 1,071 mi
posted by Doug @ 9:44 PM
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7 Comments:
The second picture is "scary" looks like a Hitchcock scene :>}
Great photos. Riding in these areas at night must add a whole new dimension to the rides. I know my night rides are always freaky.
You sure are eating up these winter conditions. I can't wait for them to end, here.
I love it! Since I've had my old bike converted to a single speed it's almost the only time I ride it. It's great being on the trails at night under the stars. The most fun for me has been cruising the lakes at night. I love those open areas where you can see all the stars. The people ice fishing think I'm crazy. How crazy are they?
It looks like you have a nice head light. What kind is it?
I use a Princeton Tec helment mounted Eos Bike in combination with a Princeton Tec Yukon Extreme Bike. The Yukon is currently mounted on the front rack. Together they provide more than enough light on snowy trails and I don't outrun them on the faster downhills.
Do you run those lights on rechargeables or do you have to use alkaline batteries?
I've been on some of those roads...on an old hybrid...and during the summer...in the daylight...but your post and pics brought back some fun memories nontheless!
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