The Gear Junkie: 10 tips for wintertime biking
Riding a bike through snow and cold is becoming common for hard-cores and casual cyclists alike. I polled a group of experts at Minnesota-based Quality Bicycle Products who bike-commute 10 to 20 miles a day for tips on how to ride safely, comfortably and warmly through the cold months and winter’s worst.
1 – Thin sheen of warmth: Icy winds on the face can be combated with a thin smear of greasy salve, including the likes of Dermatone, Warm Skin or Vaseline. It adds a layer on top of your skin that cuts the bite of wind and cold.
2 – Bag your feet: It may sound suspect, but basic plastic bags can serve as a heat-trapping barrier on feet. Put thin socks on, then pull a plastic bag over your foot before adding a final thicker sock on top. This three-layer system can keep feet warm in frigid temps.
3 – Spray your frame: Rinse your frame lightly with WD-40, a coat of wax or even Pam cooking spray. The nonstick sheen of grease or gloss will keep your frame cleaner from grit and spray off the road.
4 – Rusty Chain: Stainless steel chains are pricey but will not rust. Several companies offer rust-resistant chains for cheaper prices. See the KMC Rust Buster as one choice.
5 – Dress warmly: Most people living in a winter climate have clothing to keep warm, including jackets, hats and shell pants. Wear the same gear you use for skiing or sledding if you can’t drop the cash on dedicated winter biking apparel.
6 – Summer kit underneath: Don’t want to purchase dedicated winter riding outerwear and apparel? Your summer bike shorts and kit under winter clothes will add padding where needed and layers for warmth.
7 – Single-speed: The simple build of a single-speed bike is preferred by many winter riders. With no derailleurs and fewer moving parts, there is less to break down, freeze, get clogged or corroded and destroyed.
8 – Keep it frozen: A bike that is subjected to the constant freeze-thaw cycle will degrade faster than one left cold. Keep your bike in a garage or outdoors (preferably under a covered area) as much as possible instead of taking it indoors each night.
9 – Valve cap on: Road bikers often remove their valve caps, which are unnecessary screw-on covers in the warm months. However, keep them on in winter, when ice and grit can get into the valve and corrode or freeze it up, rendering the inner-tube useless if you get a flat or need to add air.
10 – Get reflective: Bike lights are a no-brainer in winter. But less known is the effectiveness of reflective features. Add reflecting stickers and wear clothing that have reflective properties. Car headlights ignite these surfaces, making riders more visible during those dark winter days.
On the Web: gearjunkie.com.