A few other interesting tidbits... as a winter fat bike rider in Minnesota... braving the cold is a fact of life... you can also put your feet in plastic bags, under your socks, to stay warm. wearing your camelback inside of your jacket keeps the water from freezing... hydration is important because fat biking in the snow is a lot of work... I am not sure if the riders realize, but riding in the woods is so much better because the trees stop the wind... and there is also significantly lees snow drift... I've been riding consistently over winters without any hesitation... except when the now is deep and not groomed.. otherwise.. it's business as usual...
@@grantritchie there are also foot warmers you can adhere to the bottom of your toes that work very well... The plastic bag works to keep your socks dry.. moisture conducts cold... otherwise, clothes layering and just outright getting used to cycling in the cold is the psychological barrier...
If -20 Celsius isn't too cold for a fatbike ride, then this may not be. However, it's very dry in central Alberta, so -20 feels different than say a coastal climate, and my speed never approaches road or gravel numbers. I learned to use surgical gloves as a barrier layer years ago while commuting in the Spring months in Vancouver.
@@grantritchie It's much nicer if the sun is out and you catch some radiant heat on black clothing. We get a fair bit of winter sun here, so it helps. I have worked outside in Alberta for the last 9 winters on remote facilities in the oil and gas industry, and it regularly drops to -35 for periods, so I've become somewhat acclimatized to the cold. Merino wool is a must for your entire body base layer, including your feet. I have been wearing 45NRTH Fasterkatt boots for 5 winters now. Before that, it was merino socks and heavy winter shoe covers, but I suffered. Good on you boys for staying out there on the chilly days! I really enjoyed the presentation. Cheers from Canada.
While Eurostar don't accept bikes at present, Eurotunnel have a cycle service which goes from Folkestone to Calais for £35 per bike which seems like a reasonable deal. Then it looks like you can get the train all the way from Calais to Girona with just 2 changes (Boulogne and Paris) Now that would make a good video..
Sherwood Pines is a beautiful little place to escape, there's a good route up to Clumber Park too.
Yea 100%! Oh cool, do you have any routes in Komoot or a GPX, would love to explore!
Ferry from Portsmouth to Santander is an option…not done it myself but interested to try it one day
Oh interesting option! Do you know how you would you get to Girona from Santander?
@@grantritchie actually looks quite complicated! Train goes via Madrid, or a bus then train…of course it’s only an 800km ride ;-)
😅
Was out mountainbiking in -11 the other day. It was pretty horrid
A few other interesting tidbits... as a winter fat bike rider in Minnesota... braving the cold is a fact of life... you can also put your feet in plastic bags, under your socks, to stay warm. wearing your camelback inside of your jacket keeps the water from freezing... hydration is important because fat biking in the snow is a lot of work... I am not sure if the riders realize, but riding in the woods is so much better because the trees stop the wind... and there is also significantly lees snow drift... I've been riding consistently over winters without any hesitation... except when the now is deep and not groomed.. otherwise.. it's business as usual...
Some super useful tips in here, thanks for sharing Fernando. I definitely need to try the plastic bag or clingfilm under my socks tip.
@@grantritchie there are also foot warmers you can adhere to the bottom of your toes that work very well... The plastic bag works to keep your socks dry.. moisture conducts cold... otherwise, clothes layering and just outright getting used to cycling in the cold is the psychological barrier...
I think the both of you are a bit crazy, but here in the southern part of the states, it’s about that cold , and I’m about to go out for a ride
Let us know how you get on ;)
If -20 Celsius isn't too cold for a fatbike ride, then this may not be. However, it's very dry in central Alberta, so -20 feels different than say a coastal climate, and my speed never approaches road or gravel numbers. I learned to use surgical gloves as a barrier layer years ago while commuting in the Spring months in Vancouver.
-20 Celsius sounds rough, do you have any tips for keeping feet warm? The surgical gloves definitely do help with the hands!
@@grantritchie It's much nicer if the sun is out and you catch some radiant heat on black clothing. We get a fair bit of winter sun here, so it helps. I have worked outside in Alberta for the last 9 winters on remote facilities in the oil and gas industry, and it regularly drops to -35 for periods, so I've become somewhat acclimatized to the cold. Merino wool is a must for your entire body base layer, including your feet. I have been wearing 45NRTH Fasterkatt boots for 5 winters now. Before that, it was merino socks and heavy winter shoe covers, but I suffered.
Good on you boys for staying out there on the chilly days! I really enjoyed the presentation. Cheers from Canada.
Couldn’t agree more on the Merino 👌🏻 thanks for sharing and glad you enjoyed!
While Eurostar don't accept bikes at present, Eurotunnel have a cycle service which goes from Folkestone to Calais for £35 per bike which seems like a reasonable deal.
Then it looks like you can get the train all the way from Calais to Girona with just 2 changes (Boulogne and Paris)
Now that would make a good video..
👀
Which YTers was he riding in Spain with?
Lawrence Carpenter and the Cycling Tattooist 👌🏻
I think it’s possible to get a train on the euro tunnel.
Interesting! I’ve been told they haven’t been accepting bikes since Covid. Will need to see if I can contact them.
@@grantritchie
From Folkestone.
Ah yes, not the Eurostar. Yea that’s a good option!
Great vlog. Whats your neck buff
Thanks mate! It's from Komoot, it was given to me at an event last year (Wild Wales), not sure if you can buy them directly.
Sun out and light winds? F*ck the cold! Enjoy the ride!
👏🏻
❤
Nope, I’d say it was perfect weather for a ride