Winter Biking

Stolen from 'Winter Commute By Bicycle' by Xena Goldman Second Edition - a zine I got from the library - @xenastuff (ig) and xenagoldman@gmail.com

Benefits

pretty
acclimation to season
reduction of carbon footprint
easy parking
outside = less seasonal depression
cheap (this is a lie)
excercise
feels good
presence and groundedness not afforded by cars

Picking/outfitting a bike

cheap/easy part replacement - salt will fuck up your shit, easy part replacement will make your investment last longer, and make it easier to clean
heavy - its slippery out there, and your light summer bike might slip around
disc brakes - most bikes have rim brakes, which clog up with ice and salt quicker, and are less effective when wet
fewer gears - more moving parts mean more can go wrong, I chose a bike with gears in the back, but not the front, since i use the same bike all year
LIGHTS - many lumins, front and back
speaker - instead of earbuds to stay attentive
Fenders - front and back, your local bike shop can outfit you
studded tires
bottle cage with thermal bottle to keep your water from freezing (optional)

Gear for warmth

my biggest gear advice is try what you already have first. You likely have what you need and don't need to buy a bunch of special stuff. As you ride more, you will notice what part of your body is not working and you can keep expirementing. Also - minimize skin left exposed to the air, even a thin layer will make a world of difference.

Neck - the wind is always going to sneak in between your layers here. I wear a thick buff AND a scarf. my wife uses a balaclava she loves
core base layer - your core will get hot as you ride, so wear less core layers then you think, and DO NOT wear cotton right next to your body (it traps in sweat and then it will freeze, nasty)
core mid-layer - is all about warmth - a sweatshirt is fine, or nothing at all if you plan on working hard or its not THAT cold out
core top layer - is all about keeping the wind out. Whatever shitty windbreaker should work, but make sure it is big enough to fit over fluxuating layers
Gloves - I just use my best pair of mittens, but bar mits are also an option. My shifters are big, so i don't need the dextarity to shift, and I need to signal a lot with my hands, so mittens it is.
Boots - if you already live in a cold place, what you have is fine, but maybe invest in a nice pair of wool socks to go with it.
pants - jeans are fine. some leggings underneath if its real nasty - tuck in your pants to your socks for an extra seal.
head - hat that fits under your helmet
eyes - ski/snowboard goggles are rumored to be be great. I use sun glasses, but they do fog up when I pull up my buff
high-viz - just wear your ugliest shit. high-viz vests are $4 if you're cheap
backpack or pannier bag - for all the shit you need when you arrive - everyone recommends Ortlieb (i thrifted one that is 15 years old. the waterproofing is starting to go, but its still great)

gear HACKS!

rubber kitchen glove + glove = water-proof glove
half a 2-liter (long ways) + zip ties = fender
milk crate + zip ties = pannier bag
ZIP TIES
thrift stores, army surplus, clothing swaps
plastic bag between your sock and non-waterproof boots = waterproof boots
lub in your lock

motivation HACKS!

get yur shit organized - if you're ready to go, its easier to go - charge all your shit, lay out your outfit
community is key - find people around you who you can ask advice and complain with
warm up - the worst part of a ride is starting cold, so skip it by warming up indoors
pick good music
have a warm thermos ready for your arrival

route planning and riding

Practice before you're on a time crunch
slow down, brake earlier, and avoid icy spots
make wide, slow turns, and don't lean into them
its ok to get off and walk through a tough spot
main roads are better plowed and lit, but cars
side streets are worse plowed, more icy, and drivers are less attentive, but less drivers
bikeways - safe, but less plowed, more ice, might not be an option for your destination
Take the lane if you need to. you are allowed to. it is the law
don't get doored (when a parked driver opens a door into a passing biker)

Maintenance

Go to the zine for this - i just wipe off the visible gunk and move on

emergency supplies

for flats - a new tube, tire levers, pump, and patch kit... or bus pass
for warmth - extra wool socks,
for if your phone dies - paper map/directions, phone charger

when you arrive

lotion/ chapstick
leave your work shoes at work
get a little bin to keep all your bike stuff in while at work
change your clothes once you get to your destination
deoderent
hang wet clothes so they're ready for the return trip
get there a little early so you have time to freshen up

caring for an active body

STRETCH
focus on glutes and quads when peddling to avoid joint strain
WATER
lotion and chapstick
SLEEP
heat, ice, and rest your aches - do not ignore
diversify your movements- just biking is good, but adding a little strength training is better
Your body knows what it needs - LISTEN

Back to Home