Often times riding in the winter months can be a daunting task and a scary idea in general. Nowadays people are commuting year-round. The reasons are many: You can save money by saving gas. Saving gas in turn saves the air we breath by not contributing to emissions. If you work in a large Metro Area you don’t generally have to pay to lock your bike so this saves a few more bucks. You can save time by riding into work as well. Really? Yes, think about it….you go to bed and wake up to 8″ of new snow on the ground. What do think traffic is going to be like? Pedal your bike and bypass all the cars on that parking lot called a freeway.
Now I’m not trying to paint this whole thing as a simple and easy way to go buts it’s not as hard as one may think with plenty of preparedness. I have previously written about some clothing tips and now I want to lay out some gear and riding tips.
1: Dress correctly. The biggest thing you will want when you are riding is warm fingers and warm feet. Mittens, warm socks and booties are the first step.
2: Prepare your bike for the elements. Buy your bike some fenders. Also pick up a nice headlight. I like the NiteRider MiNewt Mini USB. It’s small and lightweight. With the USB charging system you can plug it right into your computer at work or home and charge it without lugging around a large charger. Also look into getting some studded tires for some added traction in the snow and ice.
3: Ride Right! Riding in the cold is no different from riding in the warmth. Generally snow removal techniques using plows, sand and salt help remove ice and snow from the roads. It may still be slippery out there so if you need to slow down (not a problem for me) do it. Also make sure to be aware of ice and just get loose and don’t over-think it. I have learned that a slow pace and a relaxed grip on the bars will help you stay upright when the going gets slick. One last tip is don’t grab that front brake when riding on ice…its a sure-fire way to make you go down in a hurry.
4: Ride the right bike. I suggest using a single speed bike since the drivetrain is low maintenance. If you don’t have a single speed bike use an older bike instead of your high-end road or mountain bike. Either way you go make sure to keep your chain well lubricated and your rims braking surface clean and free of ice.
