Trial by Chains

[smilin jack]

Yesterday I rode up to McDowell Creek and went for several miles up the gravel road where we went last summer. The front wheel was kind of slippery in the snow, side to side, and I wasn’t too comfortable riding in the two inches of snow, so came back down and rode home.

Today I rode back up there about 11am. On the way thru the curvy river valley section there was a car in the ditch and a lady waving her arms. Duh, I hadn't seen the ice on the pavement, but got slowed down before joining her car in the ditch.

Stopped in the upper falls parking lot to put on the front tire chain to give it a snow trial. The chain cross bars were tied on using the 100 pound test green fishing cord (halibut leader) shown in this photo. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...&id=1339796088

Here’s another picture after several miles up the mountain.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...&id=1339796088

The front tire still did a little slipping, but was very controllable at 20 mph. When I got home, I tried some 13” auto snow chains on the front and it fit pretty well. It slightly brushed the fork boots, but probably could be zip-tied thru the spokes to make the setup narrower. These chains have the ice breaker lugs and should check the side slipping. I decided to throw these car chains in the top box… just in case of snow Monday on the commute home. If it’s snowy Monday morning, I’ll take the car.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pi...&id=1339796088

With a set of car chains front and rear on the bike, the muddy Alaska highway (Haul Road) wouldn’t be a problem. That's on my bucket list.

Dave