The Walking, Hiking, Biking, Climbing, Skiing and Snow Shoeing Thread

[North Country Gal]

Had an ice storm a couple days, ago, so our plowed snow packed roads are now ice covered snow pack roads. Took the fat bike out for a run on the neighborhood roads, anyway, to give the dogs some exercise. Pretty amazing, those fat bikes. The dogs were even slipping a bit on the ice, but not me on the fat bike. Was able to ride on a snowmobile track that lead off into the woods, off-road, for a bit. Ride 'em cowgirl. Yee haw!

[Sir Henry]

I think your tires are a bit bigger than mine.

[daytime dave]

I'm glad to hear the fat tire bikes are fun. We have hybrid bikes for road and trails. Skinny skiing in the winter.

[Sir Henry]

I walked 5 miles again today. I walked with Esther and her boyfriend who is older and walks slower. He turned back after a mile so Esther and I picked the pace up. I'm always pushing her to go faster and while she doesn't like it at the time always thanks me in the end.

[North Country Gal]

The snow back in the woods is too icy and crusty for skiing, so slapped on the snowshoes and worked on making a trail that maybe the fat bikes can use. Been awhile since I've done the snowshoe thing, but when all other means of traveling in the snow fail, the snowshoes will get you though. I use backcountry snowshoes equipped with crampons for climbing and descending and handling ice. Needed them, today.

[Sir Henry]

The snow back in the woods is too icy and crusty for skiing, so slapped on the snowshoes and worked on making a trail that maybe the fat bikes can use. Been awhile since I've done the snowshoe thing, but when all other means of traveling in the snow fail, the snowshoes will get you though. I use backcountry snowshoes equipped with crampons for climbing and descending and handling ice. Needed them, today.

I love the winter and ice. The YMCA winter outings will be starting soon and I can't wait to see the gang again. I walked about three miles yesterday or was it the day before?

[North Country Gal]

Nine below, after breakfast, when I headed out to run the dogs and do some fat bike riding in the snow, both on trails and the ice on our lake. Yeah, I know it sounds nutty to southern folks, but nothing special, for folks up here. Mostly wanted to try out a new set of bar mittens on one of the fat bikes. These are big neoprene hoods that fit over your hands, the handlebars, brake levers and shifters that you can use with only light gloves to stay warm in the worst sub-zero cold. Work great.

[Squatch]

So glad to hear about all the positive attitudes about getting out and being active, here. For me, the bike riding, the skiing, the canoeing are ways of life, right along with my shooting and other pursuits. They are things I do because I don't want to live without them. Calling them hobbies is way short of the mark. They're part of who I am. I'm a doer, not a spectator. As for the exercise, when I've tried exercising for the sake of exercising, it just never lasts. Put me on a bike or skis, though, and I never want to stop.

I couldn't agree more. For years I've said there are 2 kinds of people in the world. Those that get out and do it. And those who watch others do it on TV!

My bikes were the basis for my existence until I wore through the cartilage in my knees and hips. I still ride some but my Century days are over. Same for the backpacking. But I have just found other ways to do the things I like. I now use my 4x4 to get into the back country to camp along with the canoes. As we get older we have to adapt or die!

[North Country Gal]

We sure do adapt, don't we? It's called being smart.

The canoe is a lovely way to travel, too. Bill uses a kayak, but I use a solo canoe, simply because I grew up in a canoe and feel more at home in one. Our lake is small at only 77 acres, but very secluded and quiet and the stream that feeds it adds another mile plus of near wilderness paddling, all right outside our back door. Never a day goes by that I don't thank heaven, above, for what we have.

[CT_Shooter]

Never a day goes by that I don't thank heaven, above, for what we have.

What a great place to live, NCG! What you folks have and enjoy really is something to dream about. It's just beautiful. You are very fortunate and are clearly enjoying yourselves, so please take this next comment in the friendly way it's intended. It comes from someone who not long ago also had a decades long, vibrant, outdoor lifestyle that was shared with my loving wife and filled with wonderful boating, fishing, and hiking adventures. Like you, we fully enjoyed every moment of those happy times.

But things can and do change. So, in your prayers of thanks for what you have, please also remember to include thanks for your continued good health. You should cherish every minute that you have it, because a simple slipped disc or a not so simple cancer (as happened to us) or any other in a myriad of potential ailments can change things. Sometimes, they can change pretty much everything.

I envy you. I know it's a sin, but it's true. These days, I love to read about and see pictures of other people's adventures. They often trigger memories of my own...like yours just did. Thanks.

[Sir Henry]

Getting out into the cold is what I love so I can certainly understand your thoughts NCG. I think one of the reasons I like mountaineering is I can get into winter even in the summer. I don't think it ever gets above freezing on the top of Mount Rainier.

[North Country Gal]

Oh, by late February and March (March is still very much a winter month for us), I get a little itchy for spring and warmer weather to arrive, but I've tried living in places with milder winters and it just wasn't for me.

[Sir Henry]

I'm still walking the Tolt Pipeline several times a week and also doing squat thrusts and knee bends. I joined a Wednesday Walkers Meetup group and walk with others twice a week. But mostly I walk alone.

[North Country Gal]

Switched out to studded fat bike snow tires, since we've had as much ice, this winter, as snow. Really works great, though. Been riding, every day. This is one mean snow riding machine.

[Sir Henry]

That bike would be great on the Tolt Pipeline. I see them all the time although I think yours is better than most of the ones I see.

[North Country Gal]

Thanks. Actually, this is one of four fat bikes I run with different setups for different terrain and times of the year. Lot easier to just grab a bike and go for a specific riding job and/or trail conditions than take the time to convert over wheels and tires and so on. Last summer, at least half of my back country trail riding was on fat bikes, anyway. Will be my main summer bike this year.

[daytime dave]

That is a really nice bike.

[North Country Gal]

Thanks. It's one of two Norcos I have. Love them. Norco is a Canadian bike company. Don't see a lot of them down here in the states.

[Jdl447]

A group rides fat tire bikes on some trails that I walk but I never noticed how short the front sprocket is until I saw yours in the picture. Must get pretty good torque eh?

[North Country Gal]

Yup, eh.

The smaller sprocket is about lower gearing need for the heavy pedaling effort needed when off road, especially in sand or snow.