Winter/snow Muni

[baconm13]

I figured since winter is right around the corner I would start a new thread for winter. Please post any parts, shoes, clothes, techniques and contraptions that made unicycling in the winter that much easer/fun-er. I know there is a few other forms for this but I thought we need a fresh start. So on with the races.

[AustinLee]

For shoes, I would suggest something warm, waterproof, and gators around your snow pants and boots, since a upd into snow will fill your shoes with cold.:D

[baconm13]

I would like to start with tires. I use a WIDE TIRE (2.7+), this has helped a lot in the past. With this wide tire you have options when it come to pressure. You can dump almost all the air out to try to "float on top". Option 2 max it out in an attempt to cut through it to the hard packed stuff below, this may also work better with narrower/thin spiked tires.

[baconm13]

I'm thinking some kind of boot. One with lots of ankle movement.

[knoxuni]

i use homemade chains and a 2.8in tire snowboots snow suit and full face helmet with ski goggles and thick gloves, when you wreck it doesnt hurt at all

[baconm13]

i use homemade chains and a 2.8in tire snowboots snow suit and full face helmet with ski goggles and thick gloves, when you wreck it doesnt hurt at all

how diy you make the chains? and what did you make them out of?

[knoxuni]

if you run brakes you can use them but they are just a little bit of chain and some clamps

[AustinLee]

I had an idea, that maybe for chains, you could use hose clamps around the rim and tire with the knobby screw part sticking out...

This might damage the rim, though...

[saskatchewanian]

I used chains for one winter. They worked OK but studs are better.

I would much rather have a dedicated winter tire than risk damaging my rims.

[saskatchewanian]

Layers, it is all about layers. generally I will go with long underwear, top and bottom, if it is colder than -25 or -30 I add a thin sweater, then I have my camel pack, then I have a fleece vest over the cammelpack and usually open in the front. Then a windbreaker which I modified to fit over the backpack. Regular heavy pants, insulated hiking boots, KH wrist wrap gloves and an uninsulated gauntlet mitt shell. Touque and ski-goggles.

Plenty of energy food, a couple lighters, some tinder, a small pot /metal cup incase you need to melt some snow, two tea bags and a flashlight.


The biggest problem with my setup is my windbreaker does not breath so I have to take it off periodically and knock the frost off where it builds up on the inside. I could also use warmer boots but don't want to go too bulky.

[unireed]

Layers, it is all about layers. generally I will go with long underwear, top and bottom, if it is colder than -25 or -30 I add a thin sweater, then I have my camel pack, then I have a fleece vest over the cammelpack and usually open in the front. Then a windbreaker which I modified to fit over the backpack. Regular heavy pants, insulated hiking boots, KH wrist wrap gloves and an uninsulated gauntlet mitt shell. Touque and ski-goggles.

Plenty of energy food, a couple lighters, some tinder, a small pot /metal cup incase you need to melt some snow, two tea bags and a flashlight.


The biggest problem with my setup is my windbreaker does not breath so I have to take it off periodically and knock the frost off where it builds up on the inside. I could also use warmer boots but don't want to go too bulky.

holy hell how much does all that weigh? and do you look like the michilin man?

[saskatchewanian]

Doesn't weight all that much and nope not Michelin manish at all. Maybe a bit hunch backed with the backpack under the jacket.

The clothing is probably lighter than a snowsuit (unless you are talking about a fancy down suit) as for the gear, about half a pound of food, about 1.5 pounds for backpack, tools, cup, fire kit, lights, 3lbs of water. so about 5lbs.

Not too bad if it is going to save your but if you hurt yourself on the trail.

Oh yah and always tell someone where you are going so they can find you if you don't come back.

[unireed]

i definitely do not doubt your method, but to a californian who gets zero snow it just seems, well, different. but kinda bear grylls-ish

[knoxuni]

i like no chains or studs the best

[baconm13]

I had an idea, that maybe for chains, you could use hose clamps around the rim and tire with the knobby screw part sticking out...

This might damage the rim, though...
thats a really good idea. you may want to get some kind of rubber tube to protect your rim and tire.

[baconm13]

i definitely do not doubt your method, but to a californian who gets zero snow it just seems, well, different. but kinda bear grylls-ish

you should come up to minden for a snow ride some time.

[jaco_flans]

I ride in snow just with my Gazz, no studs or chains, but it would probably be good for ice. I'll ride my Muni alot this winter, I hate winter except for the "Wuni" side, I love Wuni-ing.

[turtle]

i just use my uni as it is (26" with the 3er tyre) some times i used tgis for the uphill:

(the two vids, to how much fun it is!!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYLpjixbfgs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lloq38tIwk0

[baconm13]

i just use my uni as it is (26" with the 3er tyre) some times i used tgis for the uphill:

(the two vids, to how much fun it is!!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYLpjixbfgs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lloq38tIwk0

what kind of boots do you use when riding in the deep stuff?

[turtle]

a good high hiking boot

[baconm13]

what do you use to keep your legs water proof? gators or something like that?

[saskatchewanian]

If it is cold you don't need anything to be waterproof, just snowproof.

infact it is best not to have your shell be waterproof (unless it is made from a fancy waterproof/breathable material), you really don't want moisture trapped in your insulation.

edit: to (sort of) answer your question I have some old wool socks that I cut the bottoms out of so I can have them go over the top of my boots and up my leg giving me a nice flexible "snow seal" if I plan to do a lot of walking in deep snow.

[turtle]

i wear some skiikng (touring) pants with a hook at the end (in the front) so i can a kind of connect the pants with the shoes (lance), and i wear some gore tex socks to keep my feet dry (i do that also when it rains).

edit: on the snowturtle vid i didn't wear those pants, i had the "platzangst" freeride shorts with some long winter-bike pants under it, knee- and shin guards and the socks and hikingboots as i said, that's enough if it's not to cold.

[baconm13]

the problem is, here its usually melting snow. so theres lots of water about.

[AustinLee]

Also, if you get snow in your shoes, your body heat melts it into water, which can cause chafing, blisters, or frostbite.

I would recommend gators, as they are easy to use, warm, and completely waterproof.

[baconm13]

I am already looking at the gator market for our snow rides im planing if your game

[AustinLee]

I'm definitely up for it! There are some awesome groomed cross-country ski trails in Hope Valley, where I think it would be perfect to unicycle.

[saskatchewanian]

I'm definitely up for it! There are some awesome groomed cross-country ski trails in Hope Valley, where I think it would be perfect to unicycle.

stop

think about it

groomed ski trails


not groomed walking/biking/mulit-use trails


skiers hate ruts on their groomed trails, they are groomed for them by their organizations through their own fees.

don't give unicyclists a bad name

[uniShark]

stop

think about it

groomed ski trails


not groomed walking/biking/mulit-use trails


skiers hate ruts on their groomed trails, they are groomed for them by their organizations through their own fees.

don't give unicyclists a bad name

+1

However, I think snowmobile trails are fair game - just keep your ears open and get off the trail when you hear them coming.

[knoxuni]

i use the backcountry ski course because there is big drops and tetnical lines

[uniShark]

My setup, first experimenting last Spring, was using my KH 29 with the xc rim and stock Stout tire. Worked just fine on packed streets and walking/hiking trails, but not so good in deep soft or slushy snow.

I also did just a little bit of riding my Coker with Non-Skid tire on snowy streets, and that worked well. I'm looking forward to more winter riding with the Coker this year. I'm also thinking of ways to strap my uni (the 29, not the Coker!) to a pack, then snowshoe up and uni back down.

For anything outside a well-used park and beyond a short walk to the car, I recommend carrying at least what Sask. listed. In addition, I always carry a snow shovel and emergency blanket (lightweight reflective plastic) for any winter backcountry travel.

[knoxuni]

i have 20lbs of stuff i cary during the winter on any ride

[baconm13]

safety first

[AustinLee]

stop

think about it

groomed ski trails


not groomed walking/biking/mulit-use trails


skiers hate ruts on their groomed trails, they are groomed for them by their organizations through their own fees.

don't give unicyclists a bad name

I have an explanation.

The ski trails I am talking about are pretty much snowmobile and snowshoe tracks, which would be perfect for unicycling. They are "groomed" by a snowmobile pulling a plow-looking thing. The reason I called them ski trails is because I am a cross-country skier, and I ski in the tracks on the side of this huge "snow road".

They are on free public use land and are "groomed" by the small ski rental yurt in the parking lot.

This "road" would be pretty awesome to ride, though.

When I ride this this winter, I will post some pictures and maybe a video, so that you can see what I am talking about.

EDIT:
(edit2:oops, sorry about the picture size...)
Found a picture of the yurt in the parking lot!
http://www.hopevalleyoutdoors.com/yurt1.html/JYurt1.JPG

[Kartochitatel]

Also , don't forget balaclava - it is really helpful
also with it you can use snowboard-googles.

[baconm13]

long underware is a must

[Nurse Ben]

i use the backcountry ski course because there is big drops and tetnical lines

Where would we find such a place in Knoxville? Inquiring minds would like to know, esp since we average about four inches of snow per year ;)

[Nurse Ben]

You don't need all that much clothing to ride unless it's wet, windy, or cold.

I ride year round and I tend to avoid riding when temps get to far below freezing, so in mid winter my lowest riding temp might be 25deg and dry.

For me, the coldest parts of my body are hands, ears, nose, and toes. I tend to get hot, so dressing in "convertible" layers that can unzip, open up, etc...

Upper Body: My favorite wind shell is a biking vest, mesh back, windproof front with a full length zipper, then I wear a long sleep polypro that also has a zip front, then maybe a riding T under it all.

Lower Body: Riding shoes, hiking socks (use a thinnner insole to make room), semi tights, riding shorts.

Hands: Hillbilly leather glove wrist guards are usually enought, I suppose I could add a fleece mitt if it got really cold

Face/Ears: I wear a fleece ear muff that fits under my helmet. My head rarely gets hot, so I just wear a helmet.

Most important thing to avoid is sweating, since being wet will lead to being cold. So, you're either gonna start off a little cool or you're gonna be shedding layers very quickly. Consider taking a short run up a hill to get warmed up before heading out, this'll take the edge off the cold.
Also avoid long rests as you'll get cold. Let someone know where you're going
Carry an emergency blanket, some food, and a whistle.

[uniShark]

+1 to Ben's comments.

Also: NO Cotton.

[knoxuni]

i got to northern ohio for family stuff

[baconm13]

little tip. when riding in the cold weather put a hand warmer in with your water bladder. this is not as much to prevent ice but to keep your water warm. drinking cold water during excessive exercise can cause light headed, vomiting, and cramps. drinking warm water helps prevent this. (when i say warm i mean 60F+)

[knoxuni]

never ride somewhere you have never been before also

[AustinLee]

Why not?

Me and baconm13 just did yesterday!

[knoxuni]

not in the snow i new someone who did that they got lost in 20 degf weather

[jaco_flans]

I always ride where at new places, it just gets boring if you always stay at the same spot. And I like adventuring in the woods too:p

[saskatchewanian]

Part of the reason I ride in the winter is to go areas that are just plain miserable to try to get through in the summer, like swamps, marshes and peat bogs, across lakes and rivers etc.

Have fun and explore but have planned escape routes and tell people where you are going.


Chemical pack for keeping your water warm is a good idea but I just keep my whole camel-pack under my insulation and shell, works pretty well for me down to -40˚C. If my pack was much warmer than my body keeps it it might promote back sweating.

Oh and for hands. don't worry about adding more insulation to hillbillys etc. Just add a wind-proof shell and you will have toasty fingers. If you are using bar ends or a handle bar style handle put on a pair of those cheep foam grips, they prevent the handle from sucking the heat out of your hand(s).

[baconm13]

Chemical pack for keeping your water warm is a good idea but I just keep my whole camel-pack under my insulation and shell, works pretty well for me down to -40˚C. If my pack was much warmer than my body keeps it it might promote back sweating.

I usually put the put one chem pack half way up the bladder, on the far side from your back. Use a bit of tape to hold it. it will make a huge difference when you drink. it will also help with the crash feeling you get if you have to stop for a few min,ex: fix a flat....ect...

[baconm13]

What tire pressures do you guys usually run?

[knoxuni]

20 running tubless with a 24' kenda kenadics 2.6

[saskatchewanian]

What tire pressures do you guys usually run?

Anywhere from low to really low. I am rarely over 15psi in winter.

depends on what you are riding on.

[baconm13]

i found that narrow tires (1.75 in or smaller) do better at HIGH pressure simply because you cut through the snow to the road below.

[uniShark]

Hey all: I'm looking for new winter boots. I'd like to use them for snowshoeing and winter uni, as well as some general walking around in snow/slush. I'm looking for something at least 8" high, with light to medium insulation (like 200-400g Thinsulate), and with relatively flat soles for uni use.

Any ideas?
What do y'all use for winter riding?

[Kartochitatel]

Unty - fury boots (http://www.kamus.ru/katalog/unty-muzhskie/unty-ukorochennye.php)
Have you used that before?

[uniShark]

Unty - fury boots (http://www.kamus.ru/katalog/unty-muzhskie/unty-ukorochennye.php)
Have you used that before?

Those look perfect!
Now all I've got to do is find them in the U.S. or on-line with shipping, at a total price that's low enough so I don't mind abusing them with winter riding. . . :D

[Kartochitatel]

Those look perfect!
Now all I've got to do is find them in the U.S. or on-line with shipping, at a total price that's low enough so I don't mind abusing them with winter riding. . . :D

Hei, ask them.
mb they can ship it to usa :)
write here (http://www.kamus.ru/pismo/)
Имя - it is ur name
prices from 330$