Keeping the trails fresh for a dryer day
One of the great things about living in British Columbia Canada is that there is a 12 month window for Mountain Biking. There really is no time of the year that you can’t throw a leg over a bike and hit the trails. Sure it may be wet, and it may not be all that warm but with a little bit of perseverance and preparation, it is rare to find a day that riding isn’t an option.
For me, the hardest part about riding in the winter is knowing when to stop. Unfortunately, living in an area that sees perpetual rain between the months of October and March, the trails can get a little bit soggy. Being so, it is easy to forget the fact that getting wet and cold is not the only downfall to riding in such conditions. The other negative is the abuse that the trail takes. All trails can and will take some abuse, but some can take more than others.
When riding in the wet winter months it is best to stick to trails that are not subject to flooding, avoid low lying areas and keep to harder packed trails rather than true forest floor. The best wet-weather trails actually have a camber to allow for drainage. By sticking to appropriate areas for riding, the trails will last longer, require less maintenance and provide you with a better ride experience. In addition to saving the trail you will stay dryer while riding faster and smoother than on the alternative. Remember, the trails are made to be ridden, but sometimes they need to rest. Instead of hitting your favorite loamy trail, try something a little different, and save the others for a dryer day.
Dustan
December 7th, 2009 at 12:58 PM
Wow. You are lucky! 12 months of biking! I have to make a rest for a period of four months now. My body does not take good the cold air (I have asthma). But sometimes wet forest trail is a fun. To go through the mud… like a childhood days.
Somehow I like the weather when it is a little water in the air, and the smell of autumn in the forest. It gives me somehow worm feelings.
And I have a technical question – maybe not exactly to You, but… I have no luck to find a technical contact for my “Norco questions” here in Poland, so I try to reach anyone who could help me a little. I have Norco Six Three 2007. And I am planing to upgrade my fork to FOX 36 VAN RC2 and other small and big changes. One of them is a chine guide (if I name it correctly). I would like to use still front derailleur but need to keep my chain on pleace. Can You tell me what model should I use? I found that maybe e-13 DS is something what is worth a look… but maybe there are some better choices?
And one more question then. There is FOX VAN R damper in the bike installed (it is S frame so the spring is 450). I weight about 85 kg (+2-7kg equipement). Shall I get a harder one for more freeride riding style ? Or this one will hold?
December 15th, 2009 at 11:36 AM
Hi Michal,
We are lucky in Canada, and to be honest – we forget that a lot. There are not many places this good for riding all year round.
I would suggest using an E-13 DS or the lighter DRS. This is what the Norco Factory Team uses on dual ring bikes. Another option for you would be the Blackspire Dewlie, that is another great product.
For your spring rate you should be riding at about 25-30% sag. If you are finding that you are running at more or less than this amount then you may find that a different spring will improve the ride characteristics of your bike.
Have a look at this article for measuring your sag: http://www.norco.com/blog/429/suspension-sag-adjustment/
Thanks,
Dustan