finally first tracks

Got out Sunday afternoon hoping to hit the Standing Bear Lake trail before it was plowed. City is doing a much more timely job of clearing trails this year compared to last year thanks to our bike coordinator, Carlos.

Hard effort to keep momentum but it was cool. Can see pedal strokes in the snow. Any uphill grade was quickly noticed and caused me to go anarobic.

Close up of snow depth, about 8 inches. Pedals and and mud flap draging in the snow.

Very challenging in unplowed snow with car traffic. 40C studded tires would break through the packed snow while the 52C with <20 psi gave better traction and floated ontop more.

Studded tires increase traction on solid ice, but low pressure fatter tires work better on loose or hard packed snow.