#staycozywinterbiking
Amrei B.
"There is rarely weather too bad to ride in, but there is a whole slew of bad gear. For me nothing cuts the winter blues like getting things done outdoors, biking is the center of this.
I hope it can be for you, too." Amrei's Essentials:
Insulated Kleen Kanteens loaded up with warm water or herbal tea. A little spice and a major mood-booster! Fresh cookies, windproof ventable layers (lots of wool/polypro and ski goggles), metal spiked ice tires, bar mitts, bright lights. |
Rider Profile:
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The more I'm in it, the more acclimated I become.
Amrei's Best Advice:
Try to have a willingness to step out the door without expectations (which are like preconceived resentments). I force myself to smile (even if I have to fake it at first). When I'm outside every day in the right gear, the cold becomes just a part of life like the heat of August or rain of April.
Try to have a willingness to step out the door without expectations (which are like preconceived resentments). I force myself to smile (even if I have to fake it at first). When I'm outside every day in the right gear, the cold becomes just a part of life like the heat of August or rain of April.
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Whenever I can, I get right out in it and ride until something beautiful happens.
When the river freezes, I take detours to watch the eagles at either one of the power plants.
When the snowflakes are big and coming down hard, riding on fresh soft snow can be like flying. All the sound goes away, except the light breeze, and my imagination runs wild. The man-made disappears even on paved paths. I've had hawks fly alongside me, deer run just paces ahead or in the fields in the distance. On rainy, sleety days, another thing happens. I'm usually the only one out on the long trails. It's an excellent time to work through stuck points of a story or essay. |
And then before I know it, I arrive somewhere, often along a common route that looks new, or I see something in it I've never noticed before.
Al Raymond
"As much as a flat stinks when it is nice out, being confident you can swap a tube pretty quickly in the cold is even more important."
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Rider Stats
Head/Feet/Face: excellent shoes (I have ridiculous boots), gloves that work for how you ride, and a thin wool cap that can fit under a helmet. Flat fixins, chain lube (if you are parking for a few days off the bike, take the time to dry the snow-crud off the chain and lube it up), ski goggles (strongly recommend). |
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Al's Best Advice: For a lot of folks, the first time they talk themselves out of riding because of the weather is the last time they ride until it warms up. If you are anything like me, you'll make some wardrobe mistakes and have cold hands or get to work sweaty a couple times a year, but try to just keep getting back on the bike making small adjustments as the season wears on. |
"This is Luan. She doesn't ride with me, but that winter she had to gear up, too."
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As someone who has spent his whole life in Iowa, I felt like I could handle the cold, but nothing compares to 33 degrees in the wind and rain, getting covered in sheets of ice. But there's also nothing like being the only person out during a fresh snow,
riding just to enjoy it.
James R. Zimmerman
"I'm not scared to try unconventional means to better ends."
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Rider Stats:
Seamless underwear (preferably wool), wool under shirt, lots of water, extra chemical warmers, lights. JRZ's Best Advice: No setup is perfect, so I'm always trying new techniques/gear. Remember: rear brake only! *so you don’t skid out on ice* |
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In the beginning (when racing), I was too young and stupid to be afraid; put myself in some very bad situations, but learned really quickly that way. My best moments now? Any time I'm out in winter and it's completely quiet...also riding on frozen creeks and lakes.
*Note: for new riders, we wouldn’t suggest riding on frozen bodies of water just yet...James is a wild man.*
Drew Boss
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Rider Profile:
Drew's Essentials: Winter helmet, bright lights, chemical hand and foot warmers, bar mitts, large flat pedals. |
"Testing and trying new things is important to dial in your gear strategy for cycling of all kinds from utility to exercise and everything in between."
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Drew's Best Advice:
Push yourself out the front door.
Make yourself get out and ride!
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The largest hurdle is finding what works for you. What your tolerances are and how to combat them.
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For instance, my toes are almost always cold when riding, but I use chemical warmers to keep them ~toasty~.
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