Yak-traks and screw-shoes and snow tires--oh, my!

Well, arctic weather has hit Missouri once again. I've spent the past couple of days on a trip to Columbia and Jefferson City to meet with some legislators and MoDOT folks--and I have to say I was quite amazed to see the number of bicyclists out in Columbia right in the middle of a snowstorm and sub-20 degree weather.

A few years ago I wouldn't have thought about venturing outside in such cold weather--certainly not on a bicycle!

But after reading about people who bicycle all year around in places that regularly get down to -40 fahrenheit--and claim to enjoy it immensely--I started getting a little more adventurous.

Here are a few key tips:

  • For walking or running, good boots or shoes and something help with traction--like Yak Traks or (even better) screw-shoes--really helps. They're like studded snow tires for your feet--and are especially helpful when freezing rain hits.
  • For bicycling, the IceBike web site sums up most everything you need to know--from what kind of clothing to wear to what kind of bike and what kind of tires. You can even make your own studded snow tires for your bike if you like (or, of course, buy some of the commercially available studded snow tires)--though the IceBike web site points out that regular mountain bike or road tires can work just as well, depending on conditions.
  • We often worry about being too cold, but vigorous bicycling, running, or even walking generates a lot of heat. IceBike.com has a whole section dedicated to clothing--and after reading and heeding its advice, I'm warmer in the winter and--as an added bonus--look a little less like the abominable snowman (with 12 of the wrong type of layers . . . ) when I go out.

A few more pointers from the IceBike web site:

How does one get started?

The easiest way is just don't stop.

You cycle all summer right? Just keep it up. See how late in the year you can be out cycling, whether for commuting or recreation. There is no inherent reason to hang up the bike at a certain date.

Don't think of it as attempting to ride all winter. Just think of it as riding today. Possibly tomorrow, conceivably next week, but definitely today. Read more about getting started here.

Aren't you cold?

More than once I've arrived dripping with sweat only to be asked "aren't you freezing out there"? This question is usually asked by someone who drove to work in a toasty single occupant vehicle, which was parked in a garage all night, but never the less, they got bundled up in a down jacket for that 30 foot walk from the car to the office.The answer is: Not very often. You are more likely to get too warm. Biking produces a lot of heat. If you do get cold, ride faster, it makes more heat. Read more about regulating your temperature here.

How slippery is it, really?

Folks new to winter cycling often are amazed that anyone can remain upright on a bike on snow and ice.

After you have been on the bike for a few days, you come to realize that the situation is quite manageable. Snow, while certainly more slippery than bare pavement, is somewhat like a shallow covering of sand, which requires somewhat more gradual turns, but otherwise is not particularly slippery. Read more about how slippery surfaces really are, and how best to handle them, here and here.

How safe is it?

Winter cyclist report few serious accidents.   There are the occasional crashes but because of extra clothing and a slippery surface to land on, these usually result in less injury than would be sustained by a bare limbed cyclist on dry pavement. Road rash is just about unheard of. Read the results of their survey of winter cyclists here. 

And why do you do this again?

Fun! Warm! Don't have to drive! Don't have to take a bus! Faster than taking a bus!

Fun! Fun! Fun! Did I mention fun? Ok . . .

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