So you finally got that e-bike and have been enjoying it through the seasons. What a powerful and stealthy beast for silently transporting you to your favorite hunting and fishing spots. Getting in and out of your honey holes is always half the battle, especially as we gain senior citizen status. I am one of those old guys with an artificial hip to boot. It pained me no end to sell my mountain bike this year, but the exhilaration of cruising on my electric innovation eased the pain.
Let me confess from the outset, I have not yet ridden my electric pony in the snow, although I did this regularly on my Yamaha 250 as a young man. What advice I give here has been gleaned from numerous sources online, and common sense.
First of all, these vehicles are not snowmobiles. Although they can shred snow, there are limitations.
Tire size is number one. Four-inch donuts with an aggressive tread are mandatory. Some claim reducing air pressure a bit will keep these more grippy.
Bear in mind that overall range of travel you may be accustomed to in warmer months may be reduced by frigid temperatures. Like all batteries, function in the cold is reduced. Your range will not be what it was in warmer weather. If you can find an insulating cover for the battery, use it.
Eskimos have many names for different types of snow. It makes a difference if you are planning to take a quick jaunt to your blind in a few inches of powder, or plowing through wet slop in the spring.
Snow can hide obstacles as well. Ever do a header on any bike? It happens even when we can see the terrain ahead. You certainly want to avoid unfamiliar paths that could hide stumps or old rusted wire fencing.
When the need comes to stop, anticipate increasing your braking distance. It is not just the decreased friction, but hydraulic brakes contain fluid that can thicken, reducing effectiveness.
Keep your seat down low so you can use your feet as stabilizers at times.
Your body will of course require clothing to break the wind and keep you warmer. These bikes have no windshield to break the bite of low temperatures, and you can freeze body parts that you may wish to use again in the future.
Make yourself visible with bright colors. Other vehicles may not be expecting to encounter silent bikers gliding through the winter wonderland.
There is a reason you don’t see many folks riding motorcycles in extremely frigid weather. Cold is the buzz killer. If you do brave the elements, make certain to wash corrosive salt and sand grit off that bike at the end of your ride.
