Winter Riding

Tips on Winter Bike Commuting
By Fred Oswald

Winter brings new challenges to the cycling commuter. The cold weather requires keeping hands, feet and especially ears warm while not overheating elsewhere. The solution is layers of clothing with ventilating zippers. Wool or synthetic clothes will not trap perspiration that would make you cold.

A breathable wind shell over a wicking fabric works well. Lined nylon running pants with leg zippers can keep legs warm. Elastic sewn on the right cuff helps keep it away from the chain ring. An ear band or balaclava under the helmet will keep your head warm. Below freezing, wear liner gloves or mitts.

In really cold weather, keeping feet warm may be difficult. Neoprene shoe covers will help. A cheaper alternative is to wear overshoe rubbers.

To protect both yourself and the bike from salt splash thrown up from wet roads, get fenders. If fenders do not extend low enough, add homemade flaps made from a material such as from a plastic milk jug. Check the icebike website for more winter tips.

A special winter hazard is black ice. My worst fall was in a place where the road looked clear except the blacktop was just a little "too black". Some cyclists use chains or studded tires for ice. Others wait for dryer roads.

Finally, the salt and wet grit are tough on bearings, chain and wheel rims (abrasive grit imbeds in the brake pads). Better bikes have seals to protect wheel bearings (but re-grease in the spring). You should lube your chain every week or so and learn how to measure the wear (sometimes incorrectly called "chain stretch"). Once a chain wears so it is 0.5 to 1 percent longer (1/8" on a 1-foot ruler), it should be replaced.

A serious bike commuter will want more than one bike to cover different situations. You may find it useful to have a light road bike for fast riding in good conditions, a sturdy steed that can handle panniers to carry clothes, etc. and a "clunker" with fenders and knobby tires for bad weather and winter. Having more than one bike saves you from being late for work if you find a flat tire or other mechanical problem in the morning.

There are many benefits to winter commuting. One of the biggest is maintaining fitness year 'round. You no longer have to "get in shape" in the spring. You experience the delight of spinning past frost covered trees on a crisp winter morning. And it is fun to tell your shivering co-workers how hot you got on that bitter, cold day.

Tips on Staying Dry during Your Winter Rides
by Ann Henderson

The biggest challenge when riding in the winter is not just staying warm, but staying dry. The salt on the roads creates water and slush everywhere. Once you're wet, being cold soon follows; it's hard to get warm again when you're wet. So here are my best tips for staying dry in the winter:

1) Gore-Tex, or some similar waterproof breathable fabric. Investing in a jacket and pants of this type of material isn't cheap, but it's worth it. Just bite the bullet and buy them - you'll be glad you did.

2) Waterproof winter boots, with an insulating insole. Forget clipping in - just get some powergrip straps for your pedals if you want your feet attached to the pedals. Your feet will never stay dry or warm in typical cycling footwear.

3) Waterproof gloves - I like the lobster glove style for added warmth, but there are lots of choices out there. Once again, just bite the bullet and pay for good gloves - you won't regret it.

4) Waterproof panniers - carry extra gear that you keep dry for when the stuff you have does get wet. Putting on wet gloves after you've been warming up at a coffee shop isn't fun. A warm dry set of gloves can make all the difference. Carry anything you think you MIGHT need, after all, you've got all that space in your panniers, so why not?