Location: Ride Headquarters in Sherborn, MA (NOT Lexington!)
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain Ride / Roads and snow-covered trails
Date & Time: When the first snow hits!
Distance: ~10 miles, approx 2 hrs, condition-dependent
Price: Free
Please RSVP via email to snow@rideheadquarters.com
Photo of RSC First Snow rollout that happened December 1, 2019.
The RSC First Snow 2020 happens at Ride Headquarters this year to help with proper Social Distancing.
In 2018, we had over 40 people come out for the first snow ride. The snow came fast, got deep quickly, and the moment the ride was over, it turned to rain then vanished. It was magical to be out in it. It happened at 9:30pm on a week night in mid-November. This will be the sixth year we’ve hosted this winter kick-off super ride! Get ready now and stay tuned so you’re sure to make it to this ride and all that follow it!
In 2017, we had a huge turnout for the first snow ride which hit early in the afternoon on a Saturday!
Details: When the first snow comes to eastern Massachusetts, we ride in it regardless of the time of day or day of the week. This is our 6th year hosting this memorable and much-too-fun ride. This year to help maintain appropriate social distancing, Ride Headquarters, our Sherborn location will be hosting the ride.
Route: The route is available to attendees 15-minutes prior to roll-out.
Estimated time: ~2 hours
Ride Notes: The pace is based on conditions. We don't ride too slowly because we'd get cold, we don't ride too fast because that wouldn't be safe with the snow. We will ride spaced out with a leader or two. No one gets dropped. Be sure to come prepared with the right bike & tires, and proper attire for the conditions and temperature. Read on below, there is a lot to this ride and how it works. Be sure to understand it to be able to participate in it! KEEP READING - lots more information is further down this page.
Keep reading for required equipment. Front and rear lights and studded tires are required since it’s icy. It’s usually not icy for the first snow ride, but this one is different!
Last Minute Information: Watch Ride Studio Cafe's Twitter feed for last-minute updates, especially considering this is a last-minute ride. The only way to find out when this ride is happening is to watch our Twitter & Instagram feeds!
RSC Twitter - RSC Instagram - RHQ Twitter - RHQ Instagram
Contact Information: Email - connect@rideheadquarters.com, Phone - (413)-461-7433 - we receive voicemails left at this phone number regardless of whether or not we’re at the shop.
RSVP: Please shoot us a note if you think you’ll be coming so we have an idea of how much hot cocoa, how many chairs, and how many s’mores to supply tonight! snow@rideheadquarters.com
Social Distance & Riding Rules
Everyone who chooses to participate in this ride must be comfortable with the protocols surrounding social distancing for the entire ride/event.
Everyone stays masked the whole time unless outside and more than 10 feet apart
Everyone rides with 6’ or more between (this shouldn’t be an issue)
Minimize touching surfaces and common items, use hand sanitizer and wash up in bathrooms as appropriate as frequently as you need
All of our Riding Rules apply. Read and digest them before the ride. All riders are expected to abide by these throughout the ride. All rules stated here on this page or in our social distance protocol override any conflicting rules stated in our ride rule page.
Waiver: RHQ requires a signed waiver before your first ride. Please fill it out online prior to your first ride.
This is a Chill Club qualifying ride!
RSC First Snow Nitty Gritty Details
One of our favorite pastimes is riding in snowfall. You can hear the snow crunching under your tires. It’s such a quiet time; all sound is suppressed by the snowfall. No one is out on the roads and trails. The world feels primitive.
The moment of the first snowfall is THE time to ride. We are leading a ride when this first snow hits!
WATCH TWITTER to see the latest and get ready now so you can join in!!!
Riding in the snow is peaceful and primitive…just as this photo suggests.
We are ready. Are you?
Ride Synopsis
We are leading a ride that begins at Ride Headquarters 60 minutes after the first snow of the season begins. We define the first snow as having accumulation of approximately 1” of snow at “go” time, and the forecast must predict that it will snow for the duration of the ride.
We won’t be riding if the snow isn’t going to last for the duration of the ride.
Most important to note: GO time is decided with at least 1 hour of notice for you, more if possible. So be ready and keep checking our updates to know when it will hit.
The ride will be 90 minutes to 2 hours in length total. No more. The distance of the route will take into account how hard the snow is falling & how fast the ride will be.
The route is mixed terrain. Expect to be on- and off-road, on trails and through woods.
The pace of the ride will be high enough to keep everyone working hard. This way, everyone stays warm. This doesn’t mean we’ll be moving fast considering studded tires and winter setups aren’t exactly fast.
Here’s How We Plan for the First Snow
Be flexible. We have no idea when it’s going to snow. It’s most common for snowfall to occur during the afternoon but it could be 2am or any other time. A mindset focused on the ride, rather than when the ride will occur, is helpful.
Be ready. Have a Snow Essentials Duffel packed and with you at all times – we provide some content hints below. Have your bike ready to go.
The Right Tires: Having studded tires are REQUIRED for this ride because the icy cold temps will cause ice to form. Once the first snow falls you will very likely want to be riding studs for the rest of the winter.
Headlight & Taillight: Whether we’re riding at 2pm or 2am, you have to have at least one headlight to join us. Snowfall makes it really difficult for drivers to see cyclists. A headlight and taillight will save you. Make sure you charge those lights a few days in advance. If you’re looking to upgrade your light system, check-in with the Ride Headquarters; we have the best winter light systems available.
Last year we were out on December 1st in the early evening with 30+ people. In 2018, we were out from 9:30-11:30pm on a weeknight in mid-November with over 40 riders. In 2017, we were out riding at 1pm on a Saturday afternoon with over 40 riders. The year before that was an 8am Monday morning ride. The previous (and inaugural) year, we were out riding at 3am. People came as far and wide as Jamaica Plain to join in the festivities!
Knowing When the Snowfall Ride Moment Arrives
We’re using Twitter and Instagram to keep people informed of when the ride moment is happening. We’ll “Twinstagram” intermittently as the weather changes. We’ll do our best to inform riders as the moment gets nearer. The final Twinstagram will be 60-minutes before the ride begins. That’s your klaxon to get your butt and bike over to RIDE HEADQUARTERS for a very memorable ride.
If you don’t use either Instagram or Twitter, you’re going to have a challenging time joining us. We will be posting some information on Facebook but we’re not using it as the go time alert. Watch the hashtag:
#rscfirstsnow
Tricks for Riding in the Snow
Traction: Snow riding is all about traction. Four ways of maximizing traction are:
Apply steady horsepower to the pedals. This is a lot more difficult than it appears. If you’re riding at 70 hp on a snowy trail, a change of 10%, or 7 hp, is a lot – and can be the different between maintaining your line and losing traction entirely. Practice steady horsepower output.
Keep your bike upright, even while turning. The more you lean into a corner, the less traction you have. Most tires have less tread and fewer studs toward the sides of the tire. Don’t lean your bike too much. Riding upright keeps you upright.
Tire pressure: Lower tire pressure provides better traction. Of course, you want to balance this with the possibility of getting a flat. We find that riding on an inch of snow is deceptive, in that you feel like the trail is really smooth, when in reality, all the obstacles are still there – and just as sharp – you just can’t see them, so your chance of getting a flat probably increases slightly.
Tires and treads: Studs are best. Wider is better than narrower. Treads are better than slicks.
Be careful. This may seem obvious but we see this as a fundamental issue each season in the first snow. Taking a tumble in the ice and snow can be problematic; these falls are fast, unexpected, and hard. Ride conservatively and don’t worry about winning.
No fenders: Snow time may seem like a great time to have fenders, but it’s not. Not only are fenders dangerous on mixed terrain – due to sticks and debris on the trail, it’s also likely that your fenders will get packed with snow and make your ride a lot tougher.
Batteries die. Batteries don’t like the cold so they power down a lot more quickly than on an autumn day. Three hours of battery life can become one hour – or worse – in the cold months. Keep your electronics warm – in your jacket or jersey, not in your saddle bag – until you need them. This includes your phone, backup battery, spare light, and your Garmin – if you’re not the ride navigator.
Likely Weather Conditions
It can’t snow if it’s too cold so it’s likely to be somewhere between 28 and 36 degrees. Also, you’re likely to get a bit wet as the snow melts on you; gear that leans toward rain protection can be useful.
Always Be Prepared: Snow Essentials Duffel
Have your Snow Essentials Duffel in your car – if that’s your mode of work transport – so you’re always ready to roll. In that bag, we recommend:
All the clothing you typically use for 30-40 degree riding. Clothing that likes wet conditions isn’t a bad idea, either. Note: We’re only including the gear that people often forget when they’re in a hurry, and riding in unexpected conditions. If you forget to put your bibs in your Snow Essentials Kit, we have no sympathy!
Headlight 100% charged and ready for 2.5 hours of use. Ideally, two headlights – one on your bars and one on your helmet.
Taillight batteries in good condition.
Winter shoes or your autumn shoes with overshoes.
Long thick wool socks
Helmet – with light mount ready to go.
Long finger gloves, possibly with liners.
Three season cap that covers your ears. A brim will be appreciated – it can help keep the snow out of your eyes.
Neck gator - doubles as a face covering, which you’ll also need when not riding.
Protective glasses if that’s your kind of thing for riding in a snowstorm.
High-vis vest if you like to be visible. If there’s ever a time to increase your visibility, it’s during a snowstorm; drivers have a really difficult time seeing cyclists through snowfall.
Towel to dry off after the ride. The Studio has towels, too, but a big towel that travels with you can be nice!
For the Diehard Riders That Are 100% Committed
Drop off your Snow Essentials Duffel and your winterized bike at the Ride Headquarters within two days of the expected snow date. That will make it easier if you’re coming from work. Make sure you have some kind of obvious name tag on your bag and bike so we don’t recycle them by accident. We’re always tight for space at the Studio so only drop off your gear if you’re 100% certain you’ll be riding with us. You must confirm an appointment in order to do this, Ride Headquarters is open by appointment only right now.
Ride Headquarters Is Here To Help
We have just about anything you could need for winter riding, including:
Winter Bikes. There are considerations to be made where it comes to the bike you ride in the winter. We have bikes that are great all year, but are extra special for winter riding. Check out the Honey BiFrost bike: summer mountain bike, winter fat bike. Titanium is a perfect frame material for a bike that’s going to see the salt and harsh conditions of winter. A winterized bike is also important. For example, if snow is allowed into the brake housing, your brakes will likely freeze up. We can winterize your bike to keep your rolling.
Lots of studded tire options. And the tubes needed for each tire size. We can help determine the ideal tire size for your bike and guarantee what will fit and what won’t. Not all studded tires are created equal. We can help determine the right price point for your riding needs.
Studded tire installation help. Studded tires are often the toughest type of tire to install because they’re thicker, stiffer, and sometimes are steel beaded. We’re happy to help.
Lights: We have the toughest winter lights available. We’ll help you determine optimal number of lumens for your needs. We’ll help you determine where the best mounting spot is on your bike or body. The best kind of taillight for visibility and longevity. So many options – all with different strengths and weaknesses.
Gloves: We have everything from lightweight full fingers to deep winter 45Nrth gloves and liners. We have an array of models and sizes to determine the ideal setup for your type of riding. We can help with determining which are best for wet weather, for glove liners, or for the coldest days. Lots of glove options for lots of kinds of riding.
Winter Shoes: We’ve got 45NRTH Wolvhammers in stock and if you’re a fat biker or just like to ride all winter on the coldest days, we’ll get you the Wolfgar boots. We’ll help you find the right size, and install cleats on your new boots, too.
All winter clothing, including deep winter tights and a range of jackets for all conditions.
We hope to see you in the first snow!
#rscfirstsnow
Come by at least 15-minutes early to Ride Headquarters so you can make any last minute bike adjustments. Doors will be open at the store at least 30 minutes prior to GO time.