Fatbiking and Other Junk

Not Quite Ready.

Yesterday afternoon I rode up Cache Creek and it was still pretty soft, despite being groomed a few days ago and having lots of foot traffic on it.  Maybe after this next pulse of snow it will be better.

Getting Out.

I got the chance last Sunday to ride the inner park road up to Jenny Lake in a couple inches of snow and it was pretty fun.  First person to ride the Jenny Lake one-way in the snow (about 6 inches deep so a lot of work).  We got a bit of snow in town so in shady spots the roads are really icy so I got the Fatback Skookum rolling with the full studs.  The shifting was all cattywhumpus at first.  I hadn't ridden this bike in well over 9 months so I thought the shifting would be a bit off due to cable stretch but it was actually the b screw in the rear derailleur.  I needed to adjust the tension on it and that surprised me.  I didn't think my chain would stretch that much.  Better check it to see if I need to swap it out.

First Snow.

That is sticking, that is.  We have had a few snow showers so far this fall but nothing has stuck yet.  Not today.  I think this will stick for a while but it came in warm so it was wet and semi-melted as the snow hit the ground and as it continued to get colder over the night, the snow stayed snow.  However, we have a lot of slick icy patches around so time for the studded snow tires on the bikes.  I'll get the Skookum rolling first since it has full studs and those wheels are easier to swap out.

45North Flowbeist Review.

I have had a pair of 45North tires on one fat bike (a Skookum) set up as tubless for a few years now.  I love the rims and wheels (HED setup) but have been underwhelmed by the Flowbeist.  This is the second one to suffer a leak that the sealant can't keep up with.  A great tire for loose conditions and snow, but sucky for tubeless setups.  My second one got bad leaks within 200 miles of riding but had loads of tread left.  Rather than try and warranty it and get another crappy Flowbeist, I think I will just put a tube in and run it that way.  I know you weight weenies would cringe at that but all I need to do is push a bit more poop out in the am to make up for it.  No big deal.  The tire name should be changed to Blowbeist instead.