Hey all! It's great to see there's a dual sport community in Newfoundland. I'm moving to St. John's this summer to start school at the Marine Institute. I'm originally from Calgary, but the past year I've been living in Moncton New Brunswick attending school. The sheer amount of trails here in NB has made me very keen for offroading, and I've just been loving it. I'm very excited to move to Newfoundland, the island looks beautiful, and I can't wait to explore it. Aside from my introduction, I could use some help making a fairly important decision
I've been thinking about the possibility of riding my bike through the winter. This last winter season I was able to ride successfully in New Brunswick. I rode my KLR with studs, and it really wasn't that bad. But they're pretty good about plowing the roads here and the season was very mild. The only issue I had was the salt corroding the shit out of my bike
Since I don't actually know anybody from St. John's you're input about all this would be invaluable. I don't have a car, so I have to make the big decision if I will be riding through the winter or not, because if I don't ride, where I find a place to live will be very important. The rental market in St. John's kinda sucks. I'd like a to rent a place where I have at least a little storage for all my crap (my tools, parts, tires take up a lot of space, and it's stuff I don't want in my room), and if I was lucky I'd like a garage. But every place I've looked at online that is conducive to a dual sporter is far (>4km) away from the university. I could take the bus... But I'd rather not, especially if it calls for a >45 minute commute. So I would be looking at commuting on my bike, and I need to know if this a horrific idea.
Riding on ice and snow isn't that bad, it's just when I have to do it around traffic it becomes an issue. I haven't had to do a panic emergency stop yet, but I know I would drop the bike if I was on ice. I usually just avoid main roads so I don't have to worry about that kind of thing. So are there areas of town that commuting to the marine institute might be a nightmare for me?
How often are the roads plowed? Is it generally right after a dump? How much salt is used?
If I had to describe the worst conditions is in the morning after a wet warmish day, there'll be a significant amount of snow and water to freeze over from a very cold night (less than -6°C or so) . It leaves essentially a soft ice sheet on the road. It's rideable, but makes me very nervous. How many mornings like this would I be experiencing?
I really appreciate any advice on this matter. And if you have any general advice for me that would be fantastic as well.
Thanks!
Simon
I've been thinking about the possibility of riding my bike through the winter. This last winter season I was able to ride successfully in New Brunswick. I rode my KLR with studs, and it really wasn't that bad. But they're pretty good about plowing the roads here and the season was very mild. The only issue I had was the salt corroding the shit out of my bike
Since I don't actually know anybody from St. John's you're input about all this would be invaluable. I don't have a car, so I have to make the big decision if I will be riding through the winter or not, because if I don't ride, where I find a place to live will be very important. The rental market in St. John's kinda sucks. I'd like a to rent a place where I have at least a little storage for all my crap (my tools, parts, tires take up a lot of space, and it's stuff I don't want in my room), and if I was lucky I'd like a garage. But every place I've looked at online that is conducive to a dual sporter is far (>4km) away from the university. I could take the bus... But I'd rather not, especially if it calls for a >45 minute commute. So I would be looking at commuting on my bike, and I need to know if this a horrific idea.
Riding on ice and snow isn't that bad, it's just when I have to do it around traffic it becomes an issue. I haven't had to do a panic emergency stop yet, but I know I would drop the bike if I was on ice. I usually just avoid main roads so I don't have to worry about that kind of thing. So are there areas of town that commuting to the marine institute might be a nightmare for me?
How often are the roads plowed? Is it generally right after a dump? How much salt is used?
If I had to describe the worst conditions is in the morning after a wet warmish day, there'll be a significant amount of snow and water to freeze over from a very cold night (less than -6°C or so) . It leaves essentially a soft ice sheet on the road. It's rideable, but makes me very nervous. How many mornings like this would I be experiencing?
I really appreciate any advice on this matter. And if you have any general advice for me that would be fantastic as well.
Thanks!
Simon
