Unicycle Snow Chain

Yes, I am crazy enough to have tried to ride in the snow, before. The knobby tire works pretty well, but there are times when even it cannot power through the slush and the muck.

I recalled seeing a picture (scroll down) on John Foss' site (a.ka. the 'unicyclone') of a set of snow chains created by Mr. Harold Herzig of New Jersey.

I called Harold up for some advice. I determined that he is definitely more extreme and hardcore than I am. (And that's just fine.) He talked about looking up at the trees on pitch black nights to see which way the trails went, using clip pedals, and he's done the 5-borough bike tour on a unicycle. Insane.

I took the unicycle to Stadium Hardware. Within about half an hour, I had gathered two 5' pieces of #3 dual-link chain, ten 6" pieces of the same chain, and two dog-leash collar clips. I used two pairs of vise-grip pliers to rig up the chain.

After about two hours of unbending and rebending chainlinks, I succeeded in creating a five foot tall 'ladder' of chains with the dogleash clips at the top, on both sides. With some tuning, I got the 'ladder' to the right length and then spent about 5 minutes putting it on for the first time, and clipping extra links.

Then I rode it home, which is probably about 4 miles away. Yes, I am probably insane. But what better way to break these things in, and see what they could do?

What I learned:

• When there's a dirt path, or a sidewalk that people have tromped over, that's never been shoveled, you're pretty much S.O.L. (I am, at least.) The wheel just gets too lost in all of the angles and pits.
• Up to about 5 inches of snow over a fairly flat surface is okay.
• Some ice is okay as well, although cornering can be very difficult.
• Sometimes, road slush or very loose drift snow can make the wheel spin, like a car tire does. I had to learn to react by just pedalling even more and counting on the wheel to eventually dig its way down to something that gives it purchase. Meanwhile: balance.
• It's not good to ride over bare pavement with the chains on; staying on a little bit of snow keeps the chains lubricated and from wearing out too much.
• The chains can also wear a lot in the typical 'wear spots'; rotate the chains every few times you ride with it, or the links will wear out. I bought extra chain so I can snag links from it.

Keep riding.