Biking in Winter

The weather becoming cooler is no reason to put your bicycle in a corner of the garage and stop riding. I rode outside for most of last winter and had a lot of fun doing it. With some tips and a few rides under you, you will soon find that winter riding can make you smile at cold forecasts instead of shivering.

One of the most obvious things that you will need to consider is what to wear. Wear a thin hat that fits under your helmet and covers your ears. Many winter cyclists also wear something to cover their lower face and neck. I have one that I can loosen and take off easily if I begin to become overheated. What I wear on my hands usually depends on how cold it is and what type of riding I will be doing. For milder weather, I may wear full fingered gloves that are wind resistant. For very cold days, I wear ski gloves or windproof mittens over gloves.

For your body, layers are key, with having the outermost layer being windproof and water resistant or waterproof. Zippers, in the front as well as your underarms, can help prevent you from overheating. If you are not cold when you start, you are probably overdressed.

My feet tend to always be cold in the winter, regardless of riding or not. Wearing thick socks is a good idea; but, make sure that you still have wiggle room in your shoes. If your toes are too cramped, it will reduce circulation which will make your feet colder. I wear covers over my bike shoes. Some choose to wear hiking or heavy boots. For longer rides when it is really cold, I use adhesive toe warmers. Another reusable, but more expensive option, are heating inserts you can put in your shoes that hook up to small batteries.

During the winter, I find it easier to stay warm on mountain bike rides. The trees tend to block the wind and you are usually going slower than if you were on pavement, so there is less of a wind chill effect. After a heavy snow, it will usually take a few days for the snow to get packed down enough for the trails to be rideable. I still do plenty of riding on pavement in the winter; for commuting as well as when there is too much snow on the mountain bike trails. Most paved paths are not plowed and tend to not be rideable on skinny tires until the snow thaws. Immediately after the streets have been plowed, streets can still be slippery; but, within a day or so the pavement is usually clear and dry.

Keeping your water from becoming icy is a little harder. Hydration systems can work if you remember to blow into the tube when you are finished drinking. Insulated water bottles are also supposed to work well. I picked up one on clearance this spring and am excited to try it out this winter. Keeping a bottle in your jersey pocket can also work, as your body heat keeps the water from freezing.

Bikes ridden during the winter will need more TLC. Road salt and water can cause excess wear on your bike. Clean your bike frequently and be sure to wipe down your bike after every ride.

The more, the merrier. Riding with a group always makes it seem less cold.  And, the more you ride, the less brutal the weather seems.

“I ride in the winter to stay fit, save money and stave off the cold weather blues." said Gin Kilgore, Bike Winter co-founder and a program manager at the League of Illinois Bicyclists.

Riding in the winter can allow you to enjoy extra holiday festivities without worrying about extra pounds. For more tips on riding in winter, visit www.bikelib.org.

Other resources are Bike Winter and bikecommuters.com.