I actually rode it!!

[smudge]

I have tried for a few years to make my own fat bike trail for winter at camp.  I finally got to ride a winter trail! It was too soft using snowshoes, so I walked it with boots. I still pulled the drag sled, bit I had to really get some better psi for compression. The boots without snowshoes worked, but it was quite bumpy.

Not only was it bumpy, but I don't do well on narrow trails. I am a wiggly rider. Needless to say, I spent a great deal of time like this...

It was still great to finally ride the trail.

[Airehead]

Yeah. How fun. 

[bikeman564™]

fun stuff

[Mr. Silly]

11 hours ago, smudge said:

Needless to say, I spent a great deal of time like this...

Have you considered these?

[smudge]

13 minutes ago, Mr. Silly said:

Have you considered these?

[Longjohn]

Back in the day I used to race my dirt bikes in deep snow sometimes. I never tried it on a bicycle, it looks like too much work.

[ChrisL]

39 minutes ago, Longjohn said:

Back in the day I used to race my dirt bikes in deep snow sometimes. I never tried it on a bicycle, it looks like too much work.

I was wondering if you could plow through soft snow on a fat bike or is it too hard?  

Hey @dennis what do the racers do in Arrowhead & what do you do in remote areas? They/you  just plow through & make your own track?  Seems like it would be hard...

[Zealot]

Awesome!!

[Razors Edge]

53 minutes ago, ChrisL said:

Hey @dennis what do the racers do in Arrowhead & what do you do in remote areas? They/you  just plow through & make your own track?  Seems like it would be hard...

I'm betting you just send a few snowmobiles ahead of you to create a path.  Why didn't @smudge think of that???

[smudge]

1 hour ago, Razors Edge said:

I'm betting you just send a few snowmobiles ahead of you to create a path.  Why didn't @smudge think of that???

I have thought of it often. If I still had my 71 Ski-Doo Elan, I probably would use it for trail making. But I don't have it, so I am enjoying the outdoors via snowshoes and drag sled to make the trail. 

[Dirtyhip]

You are  so cool. 

[smudge]

12 minutes ago, Dirtyhip said:

You are  so cool. 

[dinneR]

3 hours ago, ChrisL said:

I was wondering if you could plow through soft snow on a fat bike or is it too hard?  

Hey @dennis what do the racers do in Arrowhead & what do you do in remote areas? They/you  just plow through & make your own track?  Seems like it would be hard...

It is hard. Bigger tires, lower pressure can help, but it's just a lot of work and you sweat.

Snowmobiles aren't the best either. They leave their own track which can chew up the trail. A groomer is the best.

From my morning ride. In the first picture you can see the ski tracks and my squiggly tire track. It was 15F and I was sweating. 

[smudge]

I have really good tires (45Nrth Dunderbiest and Flobiest). I basically point the bike in the direction I want to go, and it goes. BUT...  Any deep snow is just too much.  I know my engine needs some work, but it can still be a tough go. The only time my tires gave out on me yesterday on my trail was when I rode off the trail into the unpanked snow, or when I was trying to get going again and they'd spin out cuz I didn't have enough weight on the rear tire. (Once I got on the saddle, there was probably too much weight!)

[Razors Edge]

26 minutes ago, dennis said:

It is hard. Bigger tires, lower pressure can help, but it's just a lot of work and you sweat.

Snowmobiles aren't the best either. They leave their own track which can chew up the trail. A groomer is the best.

From my morning ride. In the first picture you can see the ski tracks and my squiggly tire track. It was 15F and I was sweating. 

So, depending upon the snow conditions, would a race groom the route prior to a race? 

What's the sort of go/no go for non-groomed fat tire riding? Three inches? More?  It looks like more in your pics, but hard to tell.

And, what about the ski attachment? Just for hard pack?

 

[dinneR]

53 minutes ago, Razors Edge said:

So, depending upon the snow conditions, would a race groom the route prior to a race? 

What's the sort of go/no go for non-groomed fat tire riding? Three inches? More?  It looks like more in your pics, but hard to tell.

And, what about the ski attachment? Just for hard pack?

 

Some races groom. The Fat pursuit groomed. The arrowhead does not, but it takes place on snowmobile trails so it's usually in decent shape. When it snows a foot, you are going to struggle.

We had a lot of snow overnight and this storm will last until Sunday. Predictions are 1-3 ft in the mountains, less in the valley.

You can't even see the trail here. If it gets groomed it could be awesome. 3 inches is probably okay, six is hard, beyond that you earn it. Even after grooming the trail needs time to set up. Cold is good, warm is not.

Props to Smudge for making her own trail. That can't be easy.