Special Features: Winter Mountain Bike Trails

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When the cold weather sets in, it is not necessarily time to hang up your mountain bikes for the winter and hibernate. Don't let a little snow, ice and a bit of cold weather weather keep you off your bike this winter. Step outside for a bike ride through a winter wonderland. With the leaves off the trees, new vistas open up giving you a different perspective on mountain bike trails you may already be familiar with. And . . . no pesky mosquitos.

Winter biking isn't difficult. All it takes is to prepare for winter biking and know which mountain bike trails will provide the best mountain biking opportunities during the winter months.

In the northern reaches of New England, upstate New York and the mountainous regions of the Mid-Atlantic, harsh weather conditions and deep snow cover are the norm. Cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing will obviously predominate when the snows come. However, limited bicycling possibilities do exist in these areas. As you move away from the mountains and higher altitudes to the valleys and coastal regions, the climate becomes milder, with little or no snow.

There is a small but growing group of snow and ice-bikers who will tackle snowmobile trails, ice and below zero temperatures during the winter. This requires body and bike protection from the cold, studded tires and snow & ice riding and basic cold weather survival skills.

However, Mountain biking in the snow and ice may not be everyone's cup of hot chocolate, in which case, it is time to get out and ride on mild winter days. Local dirt backcountry roads, forest roads, rail trails and multi-use trails, when relatively clear will provide the best opportunities.

Though there may be as many variables as there are snowflakes, a few things are certain. Mountain biking in the winter can be a lot of fun in optimum conditions. While we don't get into excessive detail about snow biking conditions, here are a few basic tips to keep in mind.

• Always check ahead for current weather and snow conditions or restrictions/closures for mountain bikes.
• Use caution on roads with vehicular traffic because shoulders could be covered by plowed snow. Watch out for "Black Ice", a thin layer of ice that looks like slick wet pavement. Slow down and if you can, either get off and walk or ride cautiously around it. If you must ride across it, slow down as you approach and avoid braking or making turns on it.
• Roots, rocks and other obstacles may be hard to see or hidden under the snow cover.
• Keep the rides relatively short. Avoid biking many miles into remote forest or choosing steep narrow trails with precipitous drop offs.
• The best snow conditions for biking are a few inches of the dry, fluffy stuff. In the early morning, when the trails are frozen (hardpacked) is the best time for riding. Avoid very deep, wet or icy snow.
• The way the bike handles in snow is different from what you may be used to on dry summer trails. It takes longer to stop, is harder to pedal, and much slower going. If you are trying this for the first time, practice on a nearby quiet backroad or fairly level trail. Practice turning, stopping and braking.