When the cold arrives and the snow starts to fall a lot of people put their bikes away. That’s a shame because riding in the winter can be surprisingly enjoyable. The quiet blanket of snow over everything and the empty bike paths are a treat to ride. There’s only a few things you need to know before you can be out enjoying your bike in the “worst” kind of weather. Expert winter commuter Leif Valin shares some winter riding tips in the article below…. Riding year round can bring up some challenges. In Florida you might need to don a scarf in addition to your long sleeve t-shirt. In Minnesota you may need much more gear when winter rolls around. If you want to keep your wheels turning no matter what mother nature throws at you (and you’re not a Polar Bear Club member or a penguin) you`ll need to have the proper clothing and riding techniques. These will keep you warm and intact through even the coldest weather. For some milder winters this might be as simple as putting on some thermal speedo`s, maybe a pair of pants and long sleeve shirt. The same cold weather gear used for walking and hiking (I.E. big jacket and snowpants) will feel bulky and not breathe well enough for riding more than a few miles. A little pedaling can warm you up in a hurry so you need gear that breathes and wicks moisture away from your skin. Dry and warm are good, hot and sweaty leads to cold and frozen. I learned this first hand. When I first started winter riding I’d wear a nice Carhartt jacket my friend gave me with a couple layers under it. That was great for walking, snowboarding, Christmas Caroling and doing sick graffiti but after riding 3 miles I would be sweating like Newman interrogating Jerry over a mail insurance fraud case. Then my friend Mia gave me a Gore jacket with Windstopper™ features and some other magic in the fabric. I thought, “surely this thin jacket cannot hold back the wind, snow and ice gods yet still keep me warm and dry.” To my surprise it could! With just my t-shirt, and one good breathable base layer (wool or tech fabric) under my gore jacket I was kept dry and warm. I sang praises to Mia and the technology jacket! For riding in really cold winter climates you might need to cloak yourself not only in a jacket but also in some other technological miracles of modern cycling. Breathable yet windproof and water resistant gloves, socks, and pants will let you battle even the worst conditions. Gore bike wear, Pearl Izumi, Craft, or Endura are some reputable brands that make good outerwear in a variety of guises and functions. Layering is the best technique I`ve discovered for staying comfortable. This allows you to add or shed layers based on changing temperatures of the day or night. It’s important to have base layers with moisture wicking […]
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