JWW
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- Apr 13, 2000
- 2,527
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WINTER RIDING IN THE MOUNTAINS
by Ron Griffo, Big Bear Trail Riders
Unfortunately, we can't always have perfect riding conditions here in Southern California. It is one of
the best and most diversified states to ride in, but it's not perfect. Our local deserts are great in the
winter, spring and fall, but too hot in the summer. Our mountains are great in the summer, spring and
fall, but can be cold and extremely dangerous in the winter. For all of you who don't have a lot of
experience riding in cold conditions in the mountains, here are a few tips you might want to remember.
RIDE WITH A BUDDY AND BE PREPARED
For me, these are the most important things you can do while riding in the winter. Throughout much of
the fall, almost all winter, and most of the spring, temperatures above 5,000 feet usually drop below
freezing at night. You should be prepared for this, even if the temperature is warm when you begin your
ride. You never know what can delay you and keep you out on the trail after dark, such as a flat tire, an
injury, or just getting lost for a short time. If you find yourself at altitude after dark, you could be in for
an experience you won't soon forget if you're not prepared.
Bring a good riding jacket with you. It doesn't take long to become hypothermic if you're not prepared,
especially if you're still riding after dark. Carry matches or a lighter. You can easily get disoriented after
dark, even on roads and trails you know well. A rip-roaring campfire would make your overnight stay a
lot more comfortable, and could possibly save your life if it gets cold enough. It would also give anyone
searching for you something to look for. Take a flash light, as you'll need it to find firewood. Stumbling
around in the dark is not a lot of fun. Cell phones and short-wave radios are a great idea, but they don't
always work in the mountains, so don't rely on them. If you're down in a canyon or behind a mountain,
you probably won't get a signal. And last, don't take this matter lightly. You life could depend on it.
DON'T BE FOOLED
It might be a beautiful, sunny day and the riding conditions in the mountains may appear fine, but you
never know what is lurking in the shadows. Snow and ice have a funny way of hiding in the mountains.
Case in point: A couple of years ago when the LA-B to V event came through the Big Bear area,
everything seemed fine for the first couple of hours. Then, on forest road 3N16, just before lunch, on a
sweeping left hand turn, lurking in the shadows was a 100 foot long slab of ice. All six riders I was with
went down, myself included. It looked like an old Keystone Cops movie. One after another, we all slid
and crashed on the ice, then scrambled to get out of the way of other sliding riders coming behind us.
Luckily, none of us were injured, but I had heard at the lunch break that not everyone was so lucky.
Another problem you could encounter while riding in canyons is if there is ice on the way down,
consider the possibility of ice on the way up. Sometimes, the wise thing to do is to walk down a way to
make sure that if you continue on, you can get back up out of the canyon. Getting stuck with icy uphills
in front and behind you can be one of those experiences that keeps you out after dark.
RIDING ON ICE AND SNOW
If conditions are right, riding in snow can sometimes be a lot of fun. Ice is never fun. If the snow is soft
and thin, it can be a bit challenging but still very rideable, especially if you have new tires. Try to keep
your bike as upright as possible at all times. Obviously, never lay the bike over in a turn if you think
there is ice. Try to brake and accelerate as smoothly as possible. Don't do anything sudden. If you're
going to crash, that will probably be the reason why. Anticipate all of your moves well before you make
them. If you take your mind off the ice while you're on it, you're going down for sure. In other words,
stay focused. If you get into a situation where you must have more traction, lowering your tire pressure
for a short time can help; 8 to 10 pounds works pretty well, but ride slowly and re-inflate your tires as
soon as you're back on the dirt.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Never set yourself up to finish a ride late in the day. Your margin for error is very short in the winter,
with four hours less of sunlight. Don't get separated from your riding buddies. You must pay even
closer attention in the winter to where everyone is, all the time. Looking for a rider who might have
taken a wrong turn behind you could be another one of those things that puts you out riding in the dark.
Take the following items on any ride that is not just around your truck: A backpack with a first aid kit,
flashlight, cigarette lighter or matches, spare tube or patch kit, tire pump or CO2 cartridges, tools, tow
rope, chain master link, JB Weld, and drinking water. I also bring a chain-breaker, WD 40, Power Bars
and a cell phone. For extreme weather conditions or the possibility of rain, take extra socks, gloves and
rain gear.
I hope this information will help make your winter riding experiences safe and a lot more fun.
by Ron Griffo, Big Bear Trail Riders
Unfortunately, we can't always have perfect riding conditions here in Southern California. It is one of
the best and most diversified states to ride in, but it's not perfect. Our local deserts are great in the
winter, spring and fall, but too hot in the summer. Our mountains are great in the summer, spring and
fall, but can be cold and extremely dangerous in the winter. For all of you who don't have a lot of
experience riding in cold conditions in the mountains, here are a few tips you might want to remember.
RIDE WITH A BUDDY AND BE PREPARED
For me, these are the most important things you can do while riding in the winter. Throughout much of
the fall, almost all winter, and most of the spring, temperatures above 5,000 feet usually drop below
freezing at night. You should be prepared for this, even if the temperature is warm when you begin your
ride. You never know what can delay you and keep you out on the trail after dark, such as a flat tire, an
injury, or just getting lost for a short time. If you find yourself at altitude after dark, you could be in for
an experience you won't soon forget if you're not prepared.
Bring a good riding jacket with you. It doesn't take long to become hypothermic if you're not prepared,
especially if you're still riding after dark. Carry matches or a lighter. You can easily get disoriented after
dark, even on roads and trails you know well. A rip-roaring campfire would make your overnight stay a
lot more comfortable, and could possibly save your life if it gets cold enough. It would also give anyone
searching for you something to look for. Take a flash light, as you'll need it to find firewood. Stumbling
around in the dark is not a lot of fun. Cell phones and short-wave radios are a great idea, but they don't
always work in the mountains, so don't rely on them. If you're down in a canyon or behind a mountain,
you probably won't get a signal. And last, don't take this matter lightly. You life could depend on it.
DON'T BE FOOLED
It might be a beautiful, sunny day and the riding conditions in the mountains may appear fine, but you
never know what is lurking in the shadows. Snow and ice have a funny way of hiding in the mountains.
Case in point: A couple of years ago when the LA-B to V event came through the Big Bear area,
everything seemed fine for the first couple of hours. Then, on forest road 3N16, just before lunch, on a
sweeping left hand turn, lurking in the shadows was a 100 foot long slab of ice. All six riders I was with
went down, myself included. It looked like an old Keystone Cops movie. One after another, we all slid
and crashed on the ice, then scrambled to get out of the way of other sliding riders coming behind us.
Luckily, none of us were injured, but I had heard at the lunch break that not everyone was so lucky.
Another problem you could encounter while riding in canyons is if there is ice on the way down,
consider the possibility of ice on the way up. Sometimes, the wise thing to do is to walk down a way to
make sure that if you continue on, you can get back up out of the canyon. Getting stuck with icy uphills
in front and behind you can be one of those experiences that keeps you out after dark.
RIDING ON ICE AND SNOW
If conditions are right, riding in snow can sometimes be a lot of fun. Ice is never fun. If the snow is soft
and thin, it can be a bit challenging but still very rideable, especially if you have new tires. Try to keep
your bike as upright as possible at all times. Obviously, never lay the bike over in a turn if you think
there is ice. Try to brake and accelerate as smoothly as possible. Don't do anything sudden. If you're
going to crash, that will probably be the reason why. Anticipate all of your moves well before you make
them. If you take your mind off the ice while you're on it, you're going down for sure. In other words,
stay focused. If you get into a situation where you must have more traction, lowering your tire pressure
for a short time can help; 8 to 10 pounds works pretty well, but ride slowly and re-inflate your tires as
soon as you're back on the dirt.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Never set yourself up to finish a ride late in the day. Your margin for error is very short in the winter,
with four hours less of sunlight. Don't get separated from your riding buddies. You must pay even
closer attention in the winter to where everyone is, all the time. Looking for a rider who might have
taken a wrong turn behind you could be another one of those things that puts you out riding in the dark.
Take the following items on any ride that is not just around your truck: A backpack with a first aid kit,
flashlight, cigarette lighter or matches, spare tube or patch kit, tire pump or CO2 cartridges, tools, tow
rope, chain master link, JB Weld, and drinking water. I also bring a chain-breaker, WD 40, Power Bars
and a cell phone. For extreme weather conditions or the possibility of rain, take extra socks, gloves and
rain gear.
I hope this information will help make your winter riding experiences safe and a lot more fun.
