Useful Tips For Winter Bike Commuting
A surprising number of people stop riding their bikes when winter arrives, which is unfortunate. Yes, it is getting a little cooler, and eventually the winter rains will come (hopefully), but clipping along on a cold brisk morning can be exhilarating, and rain doesn’t always have to dampen your spirits if you commit to a little basic planning.
Cold weather tips: A good rule of thumb is that if you’re warm and comfy in the first mile of your ride, you’re probably wearing too much, and you’ll be sweating bullets by the time you get to your destination. Start off by wearing a little less, and layering your outerwear. By virtue of the exercise you’re getting, you’ll actually warm up pretty quickly, and if you get too warm, you can always start peeling off layers. Just avoid wearing a polar grade parka and you’ll do fine. A good set of gloves and a scarf can be a good idea too to help fill in the nooks and crannies and keep the cold out. If you’re going any distance – especially under speed or downhill – a pair of clear, wrap-around glasses will help keep you’re eyes from glazing over (an inexpensive option is to get some stylish safety glasses from your local hardware store).
Wet weather tips: Riding in the rain can seem as daunting as an appointment with your dentist, but neither has to be painful. Acquiring a good rain suit is a good start, but this is where quality counts. Any cheap raincoat will keep the water off, but there are two primary parameters to consider when acquiring rain wear: it needs to be flexible and breathable! Most rain jackets designed for cyclists have adequate venting in the back, under the arms, and other locations that can let out the heat you generate from cycling, and helps to keep you from getting too sweaty. Rain pants are also highly recommended, but it’s a good idea to buy a pair designed for cycling. Venting isn’t as critical for rain pants as it is for a rain jacket, but you’ll want to find a pair that cinches up at the bottom to keep them out of your bike chain. Well-designed rain pants are also “articulated,” meaning they have built in flexibility so they don’t bind your legs while you’re pedaling.
Another obvious, but curiously overlooked option for riding in the rain is a good set of fenders. Some cyclists don’t think fenders are “cool,” but how cool is it to walk around with a big muddy stripe up your back? At any rate, many good commuting bikes now come with fenders, but if your bike didn’t, there are many designs of after-market fenders to choose from – many of which you can add with few to no tools – so just check with your local bike shop.
Program Contact
Piet Canin
Ecology Action
Program Director, Transportation Group
831-426-5925 ext. 127
Fax: 831.423.3895
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