The Snow Dog Update: #2- Snow Crawling

Update #2: Snow Crawling: Okay, if winter persists, you guys and gals out there are going to get sick of hearing about the Salsa Cycles Mukluk I have here that I dubbed "The Snow Dog".

Why? Because it is an awesomely fun rig, that's why. I have been going out for rides in ridiculously cold weather because this bike is so fun to ride on hard, frozen snow. Temperatures in the mid 20's on up? Well, it isn't as fun, but it still is a hoot. I just have discovered a whole new way to enjoy this bike recently, and I love it. It is soooo fun! I call it "snow-crawling". Kind of like "rock-crawling" in a 4X4, only, well......different!


Used to be that when I strolled down the streets I would get angry when I saw people's sidewalks that were un-shoveled. How rude and un-caring, I once thought. In fact, I was almost becoming a bitter man over this thing. You see, I bust my tail to keep my walk clean, and not only that, but I also clean out the parking area in the street for myself, my neighbors, and most importantly, my Lady. (Mrs. Guitar Ted) She's a Texas girl, and her and snow are not the best of friends, shall we say? Yeah, so I wasn't looking upon the lazy, non-snow shoveling heathen around me with any "warm fuzzies", if you catch my drift.

Well, now I have a new appreciation for these folks. I just love finding beaten down snow paths in areas where folks don't shovel now. With the Snow Dog, they become challenging, rough skinnies. Go off-line and instead of falling you simply sink into the un-packed snow and come to a grinding halt. Fun and I am so thankful for it now. It makes me sharpen my skills.

The other really fun thing are the berms stacked up by various plows that people have walked over to access street crossings. I get a running start in the street, and launch the Snow Dog up and over the steep pitches. If I get hung up, or blow it, I simply sink into the snow, and don't ruin any chain ring teeth or chain rings in the process. What could be better?

So, "snow-crawling" is this and more. Really skinny, deeply carved pathways through snow banks are fun, and build my skills. If I get off-line, again, snow is forgiving. Other cool challenges can be found all over town on sidewalks, alleys, and on street corners. I've gone down some pretty vertical drops of up to four feet and launched up many almost as high. All made of snow. Fun stuff!

The Mukluk is really great at this stuff too. It is almost a fat tired BMX bike, with a really slack head angle! In fact, that is my only complaint so far. Crawling at walking speeds over sketchy snow and trying to pull off a corner is really tough. I'm going to have to start practicing corner hopping! Launching the front up in the air is easier than you might think, and those big, cushy tires have mondo grip and cushion the rough patches nicely. That said, I could totally see where a front suspender would rock on a fat bike for warmer weather on faster trails. Oh yeah! That would be so cool.

Bottom line? This bike is so much fun, and I am totally blessed to have it. I know I would not be riding as much as I have this winter without it. I did an hour plus today at a double digit below zero windchill, actual air temperature of 5 above. No way would I have pulled a bike out last year- or any year before this- at those temps. That makes it totally worthwhile. Not to mention my continued commuting to work on it. (Have you noticed gas prices of late?)

Okay, I'll try not to post so much about this bike. But I really am having fun on it, so I can't seem to help it!