Rats On Ice! By: Wes Yep! No big deal really... I mean... just because there happens to be a little ice and snow on the ground does NOT mean the riding season is over. Just like everything else... you need the right equipment to do it. Ok.. first big piece of expensive... fancy...equipment that you will need is a bike that you are not going to freakout over when you drop it. Thats right... *when* you drop it. It is going to happen as there are two types of winter riders: Those who have fell and those who haven't fallen yet! But.. dont let that freak you out!! *laugh* Just simply pick a bike that you dont really care that much about.

Old Honda bikes from the mid '60s to late '70s are good choices. Why? because they are cheap, they start easy, are reliable and there are at LEAST a million of them around here. I run a '72 CB500k. This bike is the one with the Dunstall clip-ons you might have seen me on this past summer. First thing I did was remove the clip-ons and mufflers. I removed the mufflers not to be loud and obnoxious...tho that is a bonus (evil grin). I took them off so they wouldn't get all smashed up when I crash. I then installed a nice stout set of ATV handlebars and some cheapo (cheng shen) knobby tires. A 100/90x19 up front and a 4.60x18 on the back. I had to remove the back fender strut from the front fender for the knobbies to clear. With just the front support on, it kinda has that "ice bike" look. For a cost of about $200 I now have a fire breathing, 4 cylinder snow scrambler!

Teddy's bike is a SL350 he picked up for $50. He cleaned it up some, did a tune up and slapped a cool paint job on it. Some swapmeet knobby tires and he was on the road! Total cost for his rip is ~$100 Second thing that you are going to need are some motocross boots or any boot with a low heal. You will be sliding your foot along the snow. So keep that in mind when selecting boots. Riding on the snow really isnt much different then riding dirt. Ice is a different story. You have to respect ice. You can go down "in a heartbeat". Teddy was saying something about +80mph speeds down hardpack snow roads. I've done +60mph in 2"-4" of fluff. The "Iced TON" isnt far away. The thrill is intense. Country roads and snowed-in neighborhoods are the best terrain. But you have to get to 'em before they get plowed. Ripping around "dirt track" style is the whip! SO... the next time the weather forecast is calling for +2" of fresh snow just let out a "Hell YEA!" and go fire up your Snow Bike. If your neighbors think you are crazy, then you are on the right track.

Paul Lasko of Triumph Detroit races his ATK on the ice in AMA District 14 This is our version of Ride All the Time! You want to join us? you can contact Teddy atfeatheredgepainting@yahoo.com or me (Wes) at tri900@yahoo.com LETS RIDE!