While lots of us quit using our bikes when it gets too cold for short sleeves and shorts, there is a large contingent of cyclists who revel in the opportunity to do winter biking. Whether it’s biking as transportation or biking as recreation, there’s a way to make it fun and survivable.
If you’ve never biked in seriously harsh weather, you can get good advice along with some of the required gear in Ithaca’s bike shops. They have clothes as well as winter tires and lights. And, of course, the web has a wealth of resources for recruits to “ice biking.”
You’ll find your own sources, but these are some favorites you may want to try:
Icebike – this is the oldest, most venerable group of cold-weather riders on the internet. Their website has been a bit less zealously updated in recent years, but still has tons of info and links to further info.
Studded Bike Tires — This is a page on the website of Peter White Cycles; Peter is a very methodically analytic person who gives lots of details you’d not get from a short visit to any shop.
A good list — suggestions for every vulnerable part of the body from Toronto, where it’s probably colder than Ithaca most winters.
Riding in the cold needn’t involve expensive specialized purchases. Space age insulators make it a lot simpler to prepare yourself, but there are locals who commuted for years using clothes from the Salvation Army augmented with plastic bags. You can’t be careless about it — hypothermia and frostbite are very real possibilities if you’re not prepared. But, on the other hand, you don’t need to take out a mortgage to go for a bike ride either.
February 25th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
I’ve ridden year round, and mostly as part of a daily commute, through the City and up East Hill since 1978.
My attitude about the cold and cycling is much the same as about cold and skiing (xcountry or downhill, in different ways) – dress appropriately and it’s fine and fun, otherwise the cold can be dangerous and distressing.
As far as the other major safety issue, traffic safety, I’d argue that good sense, knowing your and your bike’s tolerances, and an extra dose of defensive cycling are the most important ingredient to winter cycling safety, certainly more than any specialized equipment (I’m trying special winter tires for the first time ever this year; nearly all my winter riding over the years has been on a 12 speed Fuji touring/road bike I purchased in 1979 from the Bike Rack – fenders year round, no other “special” equipment).
I’ve been fortunate never to have had a serious accident (I hope acknowledging this doesn’t jinx me!). I’ve fallen due to winter conditions much more often as a pedestrian on poorly maintained sidewalks (perhaps a half dozen times) than on my bike in the street (once in the 1980′s, trying to go too quickly and tightly through an intersection turn to make a yellow traffic light). Winter cyclists can benefit from the fact that streets in our culture tend to be better maintained that sidewalks.
My own three biggest special concerns about winter riding are 1) cars losing control (hence the importance of extra attention and a defensive riding approach; but a mitigating factor is that when the streets are really bad the level of car traffic diminishes significantly), 2) being slushed during meltoff periods (as I’ve gotten older I tend much more often to put my bike on the bus on days I know I’ll end up at my office with my left side frosted with slush), and 3) impacts of salt & water & road grit on my bike (my 12 speed now serves as a “winter rat”, but relatively frequent chain lubrication is a must and brake pads require frequent replacement due to extra abrasion – wheel rims are also more vulnerable).
February 27th, 2009 at 3:44 am
I agree with David that winter cycling can be fine and fun. Even on the short rides such as my 4 mile commute, if I have too few layers on, I just pedal slightly faster and can regulate my temperature well. Most winter days I wear a few shirts and a light running jacket on top. It’s funny how people react to “winter cycling” as if it has got to be the coldest most dreadful things ever, when in reality it’s very warm because you’re constantly moving. The long rides take a bit more experience and planning to find exactly what layers to wear, but I rode throughout this winter (my first year commuting by bike) and it was much easier than I expected.
March 4th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
I’ll just second what others have said. As long as you dress appropriately and the roads are clear, winter biking is a blast. And cleaning the bike afterwards is also important given the salt and grit situation.
I’ve winter commuted (only 5 miles round trip) for the past few winters, and the biggest challenge in Ithaca is how cold the downhills are. I solved that by buying a cheap set of lab goggles (visorgog) that fit over my glasses but also allow airflow.
I’ve also done a century a month throughout this winter and last winter, and do other rides as well. I try for days when the roads are dry even if it’s cold, and while I’ll admit it’s not as enjoyable as biking on those great summer days, it’s still great to get out on the road and ride.