Achtung! Sledgers

The temperature has been dropping the past week in Basel, last night down to -19! Brass Basilisks beware. I managed a night ride in the powder snow with 2 others on Thursday night in the woods around Alschwil, but too cold to take any photographic evidence and also no time as it was a fast ride trying to keep up with those experienced Swiss cyclo-cross guys.

However, the skies are blue after the snow and during the day the temperature soared up to -7 so I set out up the snowy trails to Gempen. Today there is no mud zone at all, its snow all the way from the back door to the top. Its been so cold that the snow is still powdery, and somehow I found the grip to be more than sufficient to power upwards and onwards.
Lots of walkers today, one snowboarder and one or two mountain bikers as well, but the preferred mode of transport was by sledge.

Breathtaking views from the summit, it was worth braving the cold for the views over the frozen land. But as I took the gloves off to take a few photos  almost immediately my fingers lost all heat. There was no way they would recover, so I had to head home without riding the ridge trails beyond Gempen village this time. My feet were fine, I wore walking socks, normal neoprene overshoes and then another set of waterproof overshoes did enough to keep my toes warm. I wore legwarmers, then normal leggings and shorts on top which were more than enough and despite only 3 thin layers with a waterproof layer my body never felt cold. But the double gloves were no match for this Siberian blast. I was beginning to wonder how quickly frostbite can take hold, I should fit some hand warmers inside the gloves if the temp stays this low much longer.

The descent was much more fun and faster than expected, again the snow holding fast beneath the tyres.
By the end of the descent, I join the trail (still completely snow covered) beside the Birs river. Its now that I find the fork suspension is extremely slow almost as if they are locked in the bottomed out position. Is there a temperature range for Fox Float forks? I shall have to investigate. Could be that cold air in the forks no longer create enough pressure to rebound the forks.