Winter bicycling - tips, tricks, clothing, and gear

Just got back from a pleasant ride around town in sub-20 degree temperatures--which made me think it might be a good weekend to do our annual post on winter bicycling. 

Riding a mountain bike in snow is a lot of fun . . . but most winter cycling in Missouri actually doesn't look like this. Most streets are clear almost all winter long and temperatures are in the 30s or above.

If you can figure out the right clothing to be comfortable in temperatures down to 32 degrees or so, you can bicycle most weeks of the year in Missouri--most of the winter temperatures are in the 30s and most streets are clear and dry most of the time.

For example, if you made the decision to bicycle only when the temperature is above freezing and when roads are clear and dry, you could get in a few rides most weeks of most winter months in Missouri. 

And if you have the right clothing down to 10 or 20 degrees and a bike that can handle snowy roads with the occasional patch of ice--which can be as simple as riding a mountain bike with knobby tires, or purchasing special studded snow tires for your bicycle, which are excellent at handling icy patches--you can easily bicycle pretty much every day all year around.

Why bike in cold weather?

Cycling in cool and cold weather can actually be a lot more comfortable than bicycling in the heat. In cold weather you can simply add better and warmer clothing until you are comfortable.  In the heat--well, you can only take off so many clothes and remain legal.

My own favorite times of year to ride are when the temperatures are in the 30s and 40s.  You can ride almost indefinitely in that temperature range without getting too hot or too cold.

And if you have a case of the winter blahs, nothing helps more than getting outside and enjoying the sunshine and scenery--which is just as beautiful in a Missouri winter as a summer.

IceBike's recommendations

The IceBike web site has this to say about winter cycling:

Contrary to popular opinion, the bicycle makes a fairly good winter vehicle. This is not to suggest that care can be thrown to the winds. But with proper skill and technique, the bike provides safe and reliable transportation. It always starts, regardless of how cold it is. There are studded tires that make the most wicked slick ice manageable. It is easy to find a parking space, and it never gets stuck in the snow. Well, almost never.

Much of winter cycling is done on roads that are bare, no ice anywhere. In these conditions, the only concern is the weather. If you would go skiing or play hockey in cold weather, then ICEBIKING is not very different. All it takes is the will, a reliable bike, dressing for the weather, getting out in the snow, and learning a few new bike handling skills.

The hardest part is the first 100 yards. Mother Nature is not your Enemy!

Whether commuting to work, or just out for a romp in the woods, you arrive feeling very alive, refreshed, and surrounded with the aura of a cycling god. You will be looked upon with the smile of respect by friends and co-workers. - - - Or was that the sneer of derision...no matter, ICEBIKING is a blast!

The IceBike web site has recommendations about:

• Clothing
• Equipment
• Riding techniques
• Much more

From MoBikeFed

• How and why regular people bicycle in winter
• Biking in the snow--a how-to guide
• Cold weather cycling
• Dressing for cold-weather cycling--what you need at different temperatures
• Traction for walking and hiking in snowy and icy conditions . . . and studded snow tires--for your bicycle

Related web sites: 

• Winter Cycling tips from Bicycling Life
• BikeWinter