Winter Cycling Tips | Centre Region Bicycle Coalition

Winter Cycling Tips

Written by Paul Rito

Thursday, 14 October 2010 14:19

Tips from our October 11, 2010 Meeting

Clothing

Dry 50-60 Degree

Torso – Short sleeve jersey, arm warmers
Legs – Shorts with knee warmers, Knickers, Capris
Hands – Short finger gloves, light full-finger gloves
Feet – mid cuff socks, shoes
Head – headband for ears under helmet

Dry 30-49 Degree

Torso – Long sleeve jersey, long sleeve base layer, vest
Legs – Knickers/Capris with leg warmers, light/midweight tights
Hands – Full-finger gloves
Feet – Wool socks, shoes
Head – Helmet cover/liner or skull cap under helmet

Dry 10-29 Degree

Torso –Long sleeve jersey, long sleeve baselayer, wind breaking thermal jacket
Legs – Insulated tights over shorts or Capris, Wind pants over knickers & warmers
Hands – Cold weather full-finger gloves, Lobster gloves, handwarmers, glove liners
Feet – Thick wool socks, shoes, thermal shoe covers, or winter riding boots
Head – Balaclava under helmet, helmet cover

Dry 0 Degree

Torso –Long sleeve thermal jersey, long sleeve baselayer, insulated wind jacket
Legs – Insulated tights with baggy overlayer
Hands – Cold weather full-finger gloves, Lobster Gloves, Handwarmers, glove liners
Feet – Thick wool socks, shoes, thermal shoe covers, or winter riding boots
Head – Balaclava under helmet, eye protection

Rainy Conditions

Rain protection is either waterproof or water resistant. Waterproof means that seams will be sealed and breathability will diminish. Ventilation is important. Water resistant means that water could get through in a downpour, but a shower will be kept out. Water resistant is much more breathable and does not need added ventilation. Armpit ventilation is a nice extra to have if you are buying new rain gear (or any jacket for that matter).

Winter Conditions

In the area, even after a large snowstorm, roads are usually clear enough for riding within 2 or 3 days of a storm. State College Borough, Ferguson Township, Penn State plow their bike lanes and paths after street snow removal is done. College Township plows some paths, but not all. Patton and Harris do not currently provide winter maintenance for their bike paths. Want your township to clear the bike paths in winter -- go to a supervisor's meeting and make a comment. Our best chances to influence the Townships are for their cycling citizens to stand up and be heard.

Equipment

Tires

For snowy and icy conditions, reduce tire pressure for better traction. Try 40-50% of the rated pressure to start, but you'll have to experiment based on your weight and the tire size. Too low a pressure and the tire will want to come off the rim. Mountain Bike or Cyclocross knobby tires are recommended for winter conditions (but under dry conditions, standard tires are fine, too). Studded tires are available, but the consensus was that studs are good where there are continual icy conditions, such as trail riding, but that they don't work as well on wet or dry pavement. The attendees preferred regular tires to studded tires for mixed pavement/snow/ice riding.

Lights

In the winter, when daylight is at a premium and conditions can change quickly, don't go out without them. Front and back. Minimally, use blinking lights that can be seen 500 ft in either direction. Better, are higher power headlamps because they not only allow you to be seen, but let you see road obstacles such as downed limbs, potholes, or piles of ice/snow.

Helmet

Two words: Wear one! Always. This is under Equipment and not Clothing because we don't feel a helmet is optional, especially in winter conditions. You buckle up each time you get into your car, right? Then put a helmet on each time you get on your bike. A fall in winter conditions is more likely than in other seasons and rather than being surrounded by two tons of steel and protected by a seat belt and air bags, your head is at risk for collisions with those two ton missiles and believe us, it's more fragile than you like to think.

Derailleurs and chains

Keep your chain and derailleur pivot points clean and well-lubricated. This is especially important in Central PA where road salt is heavily used.

Brakes

A quick wipe of your rims and brake pads after a ride will keep accumulated grit from damaging wheel braking surfaces. Lube the brake pivot points as you do your derailleurs.

Maneuvering Tips

When there's even the chance of ice on the road, SLOW DOWN. If you do encounter an ice patch, DON'T PANIC -- keep your line, keep your hands off the brakes, and ride through it. If you try to turn or stop on an icy section of roadway, you're most likely going to fall. Be especially careful at dusk and dawn when the road surfaces are just freezing or still frozen.

Generally, though, the SLOW DOWN tip is applicable to all bad weather conditions, just as it is in other vehicles.

Something we forgot? Add a comment below and share your tips with us.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 20 October 2010 15:21

Comments (3)

The more light power the better!

1Wednesday, 20 October 2010 14:43

Chuck Anderson

Just want to reinforce the pitch for using good lights this time of year. About 40% of fatal car-bike collisions happen after dark and many of these collisions involve cyclists riding with inadequate lights or no lighting at all. A couple blinking lights just don't cut it if you are going to spend any time riding on roads after dark. If you are serious about winter commuting, do yourself a favor and invest in a high-quality rechargeable lighting system.It will cost more up front, but the new LED based systems will last forever, deliver plenty of light to get the attention of motorists, and make you more confident riding on icy and snowy roads.

Commuting Addendum

2Monday, 25 October 2010 14:12

Paul Rito

Regarding the cycling clothing and equipment listed: for commuters, some of the clothing mentioned above may be a bit much depending on the length of your commute.

Other than a good, bright colored/reflective jacket, most of the items that will help get you through the winter months may already be in your closet. Fleece jackets are a good thermal layer. Waterproof hiking boots are not only dry, but with good wool socks, they can be good insulators too if they are four season hikers. Jeans are amazingly warm and even more so with light tights underneath. Skiing equipment like gloves and goggles can be used for cycling, too. So, open up your closet and do an inventory before you lay out a lot of cash for new cycling duds.

Credits

3Friday, 22 April 2011 15:38