Q: Is winter biking safe?
A: Winter conditions (cold, lack of daylight) warrant additional safety considerations. However, with the right preparation winter riding can be a fun and memorable addition to your seasonal routines. Please check out our Winter Riding Safety Tips post for an excellent summary and local example of what can happen to the under-prepared.
Q: Does GORBA do club rides in the wintertime?
A: YES! Our club rides don’t stop because neither do you. GORBA club rides occur year-round and are a great way to try winter riding with good people who have the experience and knowledge to help you love winter riding too! If you aren’t a member in 2023, consider joining up in January when the new membership year rolls out. Club members know the when and where of every ride in the calendar.
Q: Do I need a fat tire bike to ride at GORBA’s trails, including the Winter Loop?
A: Fat tires (≥ 3.5” width) are not a requirement to ride at Guelph’s wintertime trails. However, we do ask that only fat tires come out when we receive significant amounts of fresh snowfall. This is because fat tires act like snowshoes to compress and smooth the snow without rutting it to form a smooth, packed track that all tire sizes can enjoy!
Q: What are the advantages of fat and plus (~2.8”) tires in wintertime?
A: Wider tires help a rider “float” over snow by increasing the size of your contact patch with the ground. This also increases your traction in slippery conditions. We encourage all riders to go as wide as they can for winter. Wide tires also have a significant control advantage in softer, warming snow (think ‘mashed potato’ consistency).
Q: What about ice?
A: Guelph and wider Southern ON is no stranger to freeze-thaw conditions. As a result, the Winter Loop often sees firm, icy conditions. This is when studded tires shine! Studdable tires exist for all widths of bicycle tires and provide an unparalleled grip on ice.
Q: What tire pressure should I use?
A: Tire pressure is a function of many things, primarily tire size, rider weight, and the conditions—the latter being the most important in winter. Tire pressure can be as technical as you want, but overall we encourage you to experiment with low pressure in winter. Lower pressures improve traction and are better for the trails. You’d be surprised how low you can go (< 10 psi) when running on snow!
Q: Where can I get gear for winter?
A: Why not check out our local bike shop sponsors? Winter is a slower season for bike shops, so it’s a great time of year to help them out, grab some end-of-year sales, ask your questions, and get ready for winter riding with the right gear and technical clothing.
Q: Can I help maintain or groom the Winter Loop?
A: There are a few ways you can help the Winter Loop be a great experience for everyone. First, keep an eye on the forecast. Snowshoes are the first pass on the Winter Loop after a fresh snowfall and are always welcome. Cross-country skis don’t hurt either. Then fat bikes help smooth things to perfection for all riders!
Q: Can I run, hike, or walk on the Winter Loop?
A: The Winter Loop is built by and for mountain bikers. As such, we ask those on foot to either wait for firm and frozen conditions to prevent ‘post-holing’ (breaking through the snowpack with a boot or shoe) on the Winter Loop, switch to snowshoes or skis, or to stick to Grand Trunk trail. We appreciate your understanding and respect of the time and effort that goes into creating our trails and the Winter Loop by waiting for the right conditions.
Q: I don’t live in Guelph, or I am not sure if it’s OK to ride in Guelph today. How can I know if Guelph is good to ride?
A: In addition to paying regular attention to Guelph’s forecasts, Trail Crew posts current trail condition updates to the website—you’re here now! The top left of any page on our website will include a clickable link to the current trail conditions, year-round.
WINTER TIRES: THE BOTTOM LINE
A Fat Bike (3.5” and up) is for you if:
- You want to maximize the range of winter conditions, trail systems, and events (e.g., fat bike races) you can ride in Southern ON and beyond;
- You want to assist with local Winter Loop grooming efforts after a fresh snowfall;
- You like having a bike dedicated solely to winter riding.
A Plus Tire Bike (~ 2.8”) is for you if:
- You want to ride the bike frame you already have, and are okay waiting for the right local conditions (groomed and packed);
- You aren’t sure if you will enjoy winter riding, and/or only plan to go out a few times when conditions are ideal;
- You are on a budget.
Studded Tires are for you if:
- You want to ride even on icy days (which are frequent in Guelph and wider Southern ON);
- You want to have the best grip possible when conditions get icy or slippery.