Riding Techniques
Photo credit: cs.amsnow.com
Leaning
While this may seem extremely basic, leaning on a snow-bike is very different than on a normal bike. Due to the deep snow, simply turning the handlebars of the bike will not be very useful. Similar to riding a bike on the street, you must commit to the turn, and lean into it. It is rarely necessary to turn the handlebars at all. The combination of the bikes torque, and the sharpness of the lean angle, will allow for as sharp a turn as the rider needs. It is important that the rider then give the bike more gas, and begin to steer into the turn. This will force the ski into the snow, allowing the bike to travel in the desired direction.
While this may seem extremely basic, leaning on a snow-bike is very different than on a normal bike. Due to the deep snow, simply turning the handlebars of the bike will not be very useful. Similar to riding a bike on the street, you must commit to the turn, and lean into it. It is rarely necessary to turn the handlebars at all. The combination of the bikes torque, and the sharpness of the lean angle, will allow for as sharp a turn as the rider needs. It is important that the rider then give the bike more gas, and begin to steer into the turn. This will force the ski into the snow, allowing the bike to travel in the desired direction.
Photo credit: snowest.com
Side Hilling
On a snowmachine, side hilling can be rather challenging because of the weight and width of the sled. However on a snow-bike this problem does not exist. The goal of side hilling remains the same; avoid going down the hill. As seen in the photo, there are often things at the bottom of the hill that a rider does not want to encounter, such as trees or a steep cliff. Going up the hill on a snowmachine can often be difficult because you may not have a straight shot up, or the hill is just too steep. A snow-bike however, is narrow enough that there is no rotational moment fighting you. Making it up the hill is as simple as leaning and accelerating. It is still very important to be aggressive with the throttle. This ensures that the track is always digging into the snow, which keeps the bike moving upward. If the rider applies brakes, the bike will correct itself due to gravity, and point down the hill.
On a snowmachine, side hilling can be rather challenging because of the weight and width of the sled. However on a snow-bike this problem does not exist. The goal of side hilling remains the same; avoid going down the hill. As seen in the photo, there are often things at the bottom of the hill that a rider does not want to encounter, such as trees or a steep cliff. Going up the hill on a snowmachine can often be difficult because you may not have a straight shot up, or the hill is just too steep. A snow-bike however, is narrow enough that there is no rotational moment fighting you. Making it up the hill is as simple as leaning and accelerating. It is still very important to be aggressive with the throttle. This ensures that the track is always digging into the snow, which keeps the bike moving upward. If the rider applies brakes, the bike will correct itself due to gravity, and point down the hill.
Photo credit: Reagan Sieg
Cliff-Dropping
Most people would consider cliff-dropping to be extremely dangerous or even a little stupid, and they would not be wrong. However it is also one of the most exhilarating things a rider can do. Usually this is done simply for the excitement and challenge. When attempting to take a drop, it is very important that the rider survey the whole situation beforehand. It is best to back up and look at the drop from a distance, preferably from the bottom so as to analyze the landing and height of the drop. If this cannot be done however, riders will often drop snowballs over the side and count how many seconds it takes to hit the bottom. The snow depth is crucial when cliff dropping. When there is a good 6-8 feet of fresh powder, it feels like landing on a pillow. However, without deep snow to land on, the rider and bike can be seriously hurt.
Most people would consider cliff-dropping to be extremely dangerous or even a little stupid, and they would not be wrong. However it is also one of the most exhilarating things a rider can do. Usually this is done simply for the excitement and challenge. When attempting to take a drop, it is very important that the rider survey the whole situation beforehand. It is best to back up and look at the drop from a distance, preferably from the bottom so as to analyze the landing and height of the drop. If this cannot be done however, riders will often drop snowballs over the side and count how many seconds it takes to hit the bottom. The snow depth is crucial when cliff dropping. When there is a good 6-8 feet of fresh powder, it feels like landing on a pillow. However, without deep snow to land on, the rider and bike can be seriously hurt.