Blog: Bike riding, weather or not
I get this question all winter long: "Did you ride your bike today?" The answer is almost always, "Yes." In fact, I can remember only four times in the past year that I walked or took a bus to work, and that was due to a spring or summer downpour just at the time I needed to be at work. Cold wet weather and snow are a bit different than warm rain, yet with proper clothing and attitude, biking is possible year round.
Mitch Rice took a ride in the first snow of 2008 through the IU campus.
Winter is a beautiful time, and if you are warm, just as enjoyable as the other biking seasons. There is nothing like the quiet whooshing of your bike gliding through newly fallen snow, the only sound in an outherwise sleeping world. I've come to enjoy the snowflakes as they hit my face, my internal engine is fired up from the exercise, and the flakes melt away. I don't mind riding more slowly and cautiously, it feels as if I am more in tune with world.
Clothing
It may seem surprising, but 40-50 degrees is great riding weather, you don't overheat and will stay plenty warm while riding with just a windproof jacket. But when daytime temperatures are only in the 30's, more layers are needed.
For commuting, I don't use any special bike clothes, other than a pair of nylon overpants and a weatherproof shell over my day-to-day clothes. The nylon protects against both tire splatter from the wet roads, and from the wind as well.
I often add layers, a sweater or vest, a wool sport coat, or my big fleece pullover -- all work as a middle insulation layer. A good watch cap under the helmet and pair of glove round out my cold weather gear.
On longer recreational rides, I use a wicking base layer, either one of the new synthetics or merino wool, which will keep you warm even when wet. My outer weather shell is three layers of nylon, and though not fully waterproof, it has kept me dry through many types of rain and snow. Its main purpose is to break the wind, allowing the inner layers to keep me warm and dry.
Below 20 degrees, I sometimes wear my bulky winter coat, it makes for a slower ride, but with the big collar pulled up, I am quite warm. Even with a dual layer watch cap, ear warmers may be necessary to stay comfortable. I carry both a light and heavy pair of gloves, and use both when it gets really cold. Below 15 degrees Fahrenheit, a balaclava or ski mask makes a big difference, at 15 m.p.h. the wind chill at that temperature is zero degrees.
Other Gear for winter
It's dark when I ride to work, and dusky on the way home, so I make sure to use my red lights in back, as well as my white headlight (as required by state law).
On long winter rides, I always have a panier on my bike for storage: Extra layers, dry socks, gloves, food, thermos of tea, whatever I might need miles from home. Cell phones have made a big difference in my comfort level as well, nearly any ridgetop, even deep in the countryside, now has good reception.
Riding on snow and ice
This is not so bad once you get used to it -- in fact, I am hoping for a good snow and freeze this year. Almost all snow has good traction, and if deep enough, it helps keeps you upright. I always gear down and peddle more times with less less power, this seems to prevent the slipping that occurs when pumping too hard. Riding in new snow is a real pleasure, just slow down and enjoy.
The biggest challenge of winter riding is braking, whether on snow, ice or wet roads. If you think ahead and moderate your speed, you should not have to lock your brakes, which is the surest way to meet the ground. This is true for wet streets as well as snow and ice -- they all require more attention to detail.
Frozen Lake Monroe
"Lakecicles" on the side of Lake Monroe in February 2007.
Late winter 2007 finally brought some consistant cold. Lake Monroe had 8 inches of ice in early February. On a 30 degree day, my riding partner and I bundled up and rode to Moore's Creek ramp. We headed out on the lake, where I learned that there are many kinds of ice and that most of them are ride-able. Only the black (clear) ice caused me to fall, and that was because I tried a sharp turn while braking. There was ice covered with snow, cruchy white ice, long spider webs of clear refrozen ice, and each had a different feel and amounts of traction.
Tips and Tricks
1. Slow down. Wet snowy streets are slippery, if you are in a hurry, you will make mistakes. Also, the faster you go, the more the wind chill.
2. Never lock your brakes, always apply them sparingly, and well ahead of where you must stop.
3. Don't pedal hard on snow and ice, you can loose your traction.
4. Layer your clothing, and carry a bag or panier with extra gear.
5. Practice: ride a on a snow covered street, then hit your brakes to see when you start sliding. Pump hard and feel when you start to lose traction. It's good to know where the edge is so that you can avoid it down the road.
6. Have fun, winter is your friend.
Mitch Rice works for Indiana University's Office of Creative Services.
