A Guide to Winter Biking

February 14th, 2010  |  Published in Biking

Just because winter has come and the snow has been falling does not mean that the cycling season is over. All one needs is a bit of knowledge and practice to have an extremely rewarding experience while bike riding. It may seem difficult at first to move yourself through the winter slush, sleet, snow, ice, rain, and freezing cold temperatures. Many people commute to work every day on their bikes around the year, and snow covered regions in the winter are no exception. Just a few of the benefits are no traffic, no car to break down or battery to drain, no gas charges, and the peace and solitude of rolling through hills and streets during an early February morning! In addition to the external benefits, winter biking also provides many internal benefits as well. Any aerobic activity is going to get your heart pumping, your blood flowing and help you to burn calories. Winter riding can really help make these benefits a reality for you.
It is easy to get started with winter riding and you can take it as slow a pace as you feel comfortable with. There’s no reason to rush in and get worn out, frustrated, or hurt in the process.

Getting Started with Winter Bicycling

You can ease into winter riding and build confidence by following these simple tips:

  1. If possible, combine your commute with public transportation. Many bus and train services will allow passengers to store bikes during travel. Check with your local public transportation authority for details.
  2. Try it part way – drive half way to work and bike the rest. You can start off even easier, by driving several blocks from your final destination, and then biking for the remainder of your trip.
  3. Start slow. You may be more enthused about traveling on your bike if you take it easy and just start with one or two days per week. You can gradually add more days as you get more comfortable.
  4. Take a practice run. Try the commute on a non-working day; perhaps a Saturday or Sunday or a day off from work. This will allow you to plan accordingly and give your self plenty of time to get to work and be prepared for the live run.

There are some special consideration when winter biking:

  1. Remember to dress warm and eat and drink plenty.
  2. Keep your bike in top shape. Be sure that your tires are inflated properly and cables are in tact. Fixing a flat in the summer is no fun, but it’s much worse in the cold!
  3. Be aware. Many drivers are not used to seeing bikers in the winter months and may not be looking out for you. This is especially important during times when there are slippery road conditions. If you are ever in doubt, play it safe and drive to work.

Winter Cycling Clothing

Your choice of clothing is perhaps the most important decision to make for winter biking. While it may seem counter intuitive, it’s important to NOT overdress. You may think that you’ll be so freezing cold that you pile on the clothes. Remember: you will still sweat very much due to the body heat you are producing during your bike ride. There will be times that you must stop or slowdown during your ride. Chilly temperatures and gusting winds will make you COLDER during this time and can lead to serious medical complications like dehydration and hypothermia. You should be slightly cold when you get started if you are dressed properly. As your body warms up from the ride, you will start to feel more comfortable.

Base and Middle Layer

  1. The base layer should keep you dry.
  2. Choose materials made of wool or synthetic wicking fibers like polyester or nylon. Avoid cotton.
  3. A fleece sweater can provide additional insulation if necessary. It’s best to keep this in a backpack until it’s needed.

Outerwear

  1. Choose a soft shell jacket with plenty of room for ventilation and comfort.
  2. Find something that works for your region and weather patterns. In dryer locations, waterproof materials are not required.
  3. Look for a jacket with plenty of pockets and zippers to provide ventilation as needed.

Head and Hand Coverings

  1. Most of your body heat will escape from your head. Use a wool cap or helmet liner for most days and bring a scarf or ski mask just in case.
  2. Use a hat with visor or glasses in wet weather. Waterproof gloves are great, but be sure they have plenty of grip in the fingers and on the palms.
  3. Check out other winter products at your outdoor sporting goods store. Sometimes snowboarding gloves are perfect for biking, if you have enough mobility to reach the brakes and shifting lever.

Footwear

  1. Clip-less shoes will most likely not provide enough insulation during winter biking trips. Considering purchasing a pair of over-sized shoes for winter biking.
  2. If you don’t have clip-less shoes and pedals, use a pair of lightweight hiking boots with thick socks to keep your feet warm.
  3. Ankle length gaiters can help keep slush and snow out of your shoes while riding. It’s important to avoid cotton socks for your feet. Cotton will not retain any heat when wet and takes a very long time to dry.

Winter Cycling Gear

Your choice in cycling gear is very important during winter riding trips. You should consult with your local bike shop for tips that are relevant for your particular region.

Your Bicycle

  1. Keep your gears, derailleur,  brakes, tires, and pedals free of debris. Sub-freezing temperatures can be especially tricking with snow, slush, and ice. Be sure to check frequently at red lights and when you arrive at your destination.
  2. Take good care of your bike during down times. A good wash each weekend can help your bike working in top condition.
  3. In cold temperatures, avoid riding a bike with integrated suspension systems. The pistons are filled with fluid that will not be as responsive to bumps and ditches during cold rides. If your suspension is feeling unresponsive or sluggish, stop riding and consult a professional repair person when possible.

Bike Tires

  1. Deflate your tires to a lower pressure than normal during winter bike rides. The reduced pressure will improve traction with the slippery road.
  2. Winter means slush or rain in many areas of the country, so be sure your tires offer a good grip on wet surfaces—that’s the most important thing. It’s also a good idea to run them at a lower pressure then you would in the summer. Just like with a car tire, reduced pressure makes a bike tire squish out a little bit and gain better traction. In the summer, I run my road tires at around 120 psi, but in the winter I drop it down to between 90 and 100 psi.
  3. Mountain bike tires can help cut through slush and ice, but can also increase friction during your ride; thereby making travel more difficult.
  4. Many winter riders prefer skinny road tires, but you’ll need to find something that works for you.
  5. Some companies make tires with nobs or studs for both road tires and mountain bike tires, which can be useful in especially harsh conditions.

Bike Lighting

  1. Bike lights are an essential piece of equipment in the winter, due to shorter days and overcast weather conditions.
  2. Find the brightest bike lights available, and try to locate one with a wide cast angle.
  3. Many manufacturers offer rechargeable lighting systems which work the best, but can be expensive. If you are going to use a cheaper clip on type of lighting system, be sure to replace the batteries and bulb as needed.
  4. Consider your safety when choosing a bike light. Storms can cause whiteout conditions for both you and drivers on the road. Bike lights can help other see you during dangerous times.

Fenders

  1. Your tires will kick up lots of slush, ice, and water during your ride, and some of this will get on your clothes making you cold and dirty.
  2. Fenders prevent snow and slush from hitting you and are a great way to stay clean and dry.
  3. Position your front fenders to reach a few of inches on either side of your fork. Rear fenders can be full length, or will be adjustable to fit in the proper position.

Bags and Panniers

  1. Keep your clothes in a weather resistant carrier if you are traveling more than just a few miles to your destination.
  2. Backpacks are a great option and can be carried comfortable. A messenger bag can shift unexpectedly and may spill your contents onto the wet ground. Panniers are an okay option, but add bulk to your bike and make it wider than normal. If you are riding in the city, panniers can be cumbersome and may make winter commuting unbearable.
  3. Choose something that is water proof and comfortable. It’s also important to find a bag that will hold all of your contents safely and securely as you travel.

Hydration and Food

  1. Food and water are important parts of any outdoor or sport activity. Keeping hydrated in the winter months is important and it’s easier to forget if you are not sweltering in the hot sun.
  2. Dry air can pull hydration from your body and multiple layers may make you sweat more than normal. Be sure to get plenty of fluids before, during, and after your rides.
  3. Eat something nutritious before heading out on your winter ride. Avoid anything too sugary or heavy that may make your feel sluggish or sick. Bring a small snack with you just in case you start to lose energy.

Winter Riding Skills

Correct riding technique is an essential part of winter riding. Ride defensively and be aware of your surroundings at all time. Minimize distractions and focus on your safety and enjoyment.

Lane Position

  1. Avoid riding very close to the curb. Snow, ice, and slush will gather there as it’s plowed and shoveled during storms.
  2. Ride on the pavement where it’s dry or clear. If that’s not possible, find the clearest path and be careful of potholes, ice chunks, or slick ice.
  3. Move evenly and predictably. If possible, don’t make any sudden moves that may distract fellow riders or drivers.

Body Position

  1. Ride relaxed and stay loose. Your legs can absorb any motion created by riding around ice ridges, street clutter, and other dangerous areas.
  2. With locked knees and elbows, you might find that a little ice ball or parts of a busted muffler can be enough to send you toppling to the ground.
  3. Be alert and ready to swerve around broken glass or other tire-destroying monsters.

Snow and Ice Considerations

  1. Be aware of melting or freezing snow and ice. Daytime sunlight can make snow melt, which then re-freezes as night when the snow sets.
  2. Watch for black ice and other winter hazards. If you hit a patch of slippery ice, slush or snow simple move slowly and steadily through it. Ride evenly and move with any slips rather than turn hard out of them and overcompensate.
  3. Stay in control at all times and ride as slow as you feel comfortable.

Winter Post-ride Maintenance Tips

  1. Keep your bike functioning properly by cleaning and maintain it regularly.
  2. Cleaning your chain and drive train thoroughly with some cleaner, a rag, and a toothbrush after every ride or every few rides as needed.
  3. Wipe down your brakes, seat, and handle bars after snowy or dirty rides and apply grease that is designed for dirty or wet conditions.

Leave a Response