Commuting - First-time Winter Commuters?

Back around September, we had a thread about new (northern hemisphere) commuters facing their first winter. Many expressed a committment to give it a try. Now that we are more or less in the middle of it, with a few storms under our belt, I'm curious how many of you have made it this far and how it's been. Anyone winter newbies care to update us?

FYI, this is my third winter. The first year, I really had no idea if I could do it, so I figured I'd just keep trying as long as I still felt okay about it. I took the challenges as they came, and before I knew it, it was spring and I'd made it through! :)

I started a thread like that about that time. I am still riding my 9 miles each way regularly if not faithfully. I took a week off due to illness and another few days when my children (and myself as a result) were not sleeping at night. But I am committed to seeing this through. Here in Boise, the coldest I have seen while riding is 10 F so it has not been too bad. The road sand is killing my drivetrain and driving me nuts! Overall, it has been a great experience and I have no intention of not commuting year round from now on. Thanks for asking.

http://www.energizer.com/images/bunny/BnyBigBunny_img.jpg

Rule, love the response. A picture really IS worth a thousand words! :-)

This is my first winter commuting, though since I live in NC it doesn't really feel like winter.

So far, the weather hasn't really stopped me many days. I can deal with wind and cold, no problem, and we haven't had any snow (knock wood). My commute is only 5 miles each way.

I did have an accident back in December. On a day when it was 37 degrees F and it had rained the previous day, I thought I'd be OK to ride. Apparently the new pavement on the road I was riding was slick, plus spray came off the lake next to the road, resulting in a thin sheet of ice. I suddenly found myself on the pavement on top of my bike with blood coming out of my face. 11 stitches and trip to the ER (in a freaking ambulance, how embarrasing) later, the new rule is, no biking to work on days when it's below 40 and wet. Below 40 and dry are still a go. (btw, there were 11 car accidents, including a 7-car pileup, that same morning in Durham. Guess I wasn't the only one who misjudged the weather).

Yes, still at it. Typically 3 times a week. I basically ride every day that I don't need a car for some errand or appointment such as buying dog food or going to the dentist. I didn't ride today because I am playing tennis right after work.

The weather has been pretty good for commuting this winter. It gets cold in Minnesota, but we don't get all that much snow. Deep snow would be tough for riding a bike.

Equipment bought this fall to enable winter commuting: Lights, bright yellow coat, hiking shoes.

I converted my old steel MTB with the worn-out middle chainring to single speed to combat the winter road muck. It has worked out very well.

Get yourself some studded tires.

I'm working on my first winter too, and there have been ZERO days when I failed to commute because of the weather!

There have been days I didn't commute for other reasons, on average I commute probably 4 days a week.

I'd like to give a big thanks to my studded Nokians (the commuter ones, 700x35 W106). Riding on ice is a breeze. I barely have to worry about it. Sharp maneuvers are still dangerous but if you're just cruising along and go across a patch of ice, no problem!

I rode across a 30-foot stretch of rutted ice every day back and forth for almost two weeks and never fell (once lost my balance and had to put a foot down, but that was it). There were three or four days where there was a short steep uphill that I couldn't climb because I'd spin the back tire so I had to get off and walk 20 or 30 feet, but once the snow melted down enough I could make it up again.

I have been riding the studs ever since I got them (two months ago?). They look brand new. Those carbide studs really do last forever. This has MOSTLY been on dry pavement. I've also commuted in the rain on 'em and the "loss of traction" some people whine about is not noticable to me.

Interestingly enough the toughest thing has been getting the right mix of clothes. For me a single layer over my entire body (including face) works better than multiple layers on my chest or legs but leaving my face exposed. If I use more than a single sweatshirt (alertshirt's wicking neon sweatshirts are awesome!) I get too sweaty by the time I get to work.

Glad you are OK Itsjustb. Your story reminded me that I also had an accident. It was below freezing and I was on my way home in the dark. I foolishly rounded a 90 degree corner at about 20 mph thinking that if I could not see any ice it must not be there. I literally cartwheeled across two lanes of traffic (thank the Lord the light had stopped the cars). I ripped a hole in my tights, long johns and booties and smashed the heck out of items in my backpack (which really protected my back). The bike (a beater) took it like a trooper and I simply got up, limped off the road, straightened my bars/stem and slowly rode home to lick my wounds. No more high speed winter cornering for me.

I have stuck to commuting most days. I have missed a few when it was real windy and I felt I did not have enough time to make it home, let the dog out, get changed and make it back in an hour for the night shift.

I did get Nashbar studded tires but outside of one day the roads have been free of ice. After it rains and freezes I always use my studded beater bike to survey the roads before returning to my touring bike. One of the problems that we have down at the shore is that the bridges get a lot of condensation from the bay and it freezes on the shoulder even though it has not rained for days. But luckily there is not much traffic in the winter. (Our town goes from 250,000 in summer, to 25,000 in winter.)

I've commuted every day so far. I got an L&M Vega light that works well. Contrary to my expectations I've been mounting it on my helmet and carrying the battery in a pocket. I did a lot of obsessing about clothes. We get cold rain and wind here. A simple rain cape and booties from Camphor along with fenders (SKS that I'm only partly happy with) work really well to keep me dry without making me overheat. I have a wool headband, balaclava, and skull cap that have also worked well. Windbreaker, wool jacket, and cotton long johns (I plan to get wool tights) have kept me plenty warm on the coldest days. But temperatures have not been below 20 F. I double bag on socks under tennis shoes and my feet stay reasonably warm. But I need better shoes. I still haven't solved the cold hands problem but I have some new ideas courtesy of the Winter Cycling section. My work is 7 miles west of my house and prevailing winds are from the west. Today was really windy so I rode 3 miles south to downtown and took the bus to within a half mile of work and rode from there. I'll probably do the same foe ice or snow on the roads. Today's the first day I've commuted by bike and bus. I guess that counts as cycling.

It was below freezing and I was on my way home in the dark. I foolishly rounded a 90 degree corner at about 20 mph thinking that if I could not see any ice it must not be there. I literally cartwheeled across two lanes of traffic (thank the Lord the light had stopped the cars). I ripped a hole in my tights, long johns and booties and smashed the heck out of items in my backpack (which really protected my back). The bike (a beater) took it like a trooper and I simply got up, limped off the road, straightened my bars/stem and slowly rode home to lick my wounds. No more high speed winter cornering for me.

So we're not all that different from motorists in at least one respect - we still have to learn how to drive in it! (And, I regret to say, relearn it again every year, to some extent.) ;)

I'm still riding daily. Due to an accident about 2 weeks before Christmas I mised a few days for bike repairs and then to heal up from an infection. Otherwise rain or shine I've been riding. Most of this winter has been so mild it is not much of a challenge. Like Eggplant I rode through some rutted ice for a while before Christmas, but since then things have been clear.

We haven't really had the sustained cold here this winter. I've still found excuses to not ride and they mainly center around rain (which I love riding in in the summer time). Still, I'm doing 3 days a week on average. In the past I walked to work in the winter. It's more fun to ride.

I double bag on socks under tennis shoes and my feet stay reasonably warm. But I need better shoes. I still haven't solved the cold hands problem but I have some new ideas courtesy of the Winter Cycling section.

I'm pretty much a plainclothes cyclist (except for the bright yellow cycling jacket for visibility), and I always just wear boots in the winter. Mine aren't even waterproof as-is, but the occasional application of mink oil makes them pretty much so. And they do keep my feet fairly warm. If it's really cold, an extra pair of socks is sufficient help.

I had some problems with cold fingers early in the season, but buying a pair of mittens solved it for me. (I have grip shifters, so as long as the mittens are grippy enough, I don't need much dexterity.) I also made some homemade handwarmers to put inside them: A 4" square fabric pocket sewn up with rice, and put in the microwave for 30 seconds just before leaving.

I have been riding in winter on my Nokkian W106 tires for three years now. This is the first winter, however, that I am commuting to work. The other winters I was riding on paved/cleared trails in our great city of Minneapolis for excersize. The thing I noticed this year that was different was the road gunk that was not part of the trail riding. I think my drive train will need some work come spring. Everything needs more frequent lube jobs and the road slush sticks to everything better than just snow. I ride six days a week and we love having one less car on our crowded roads. Clothing, tires, and carrying bags have been great investments.

Lake MXZ301 winter cycling boots ROCK!! Waterproof and keep your feet nice and toasty warm. Their only downside is the price (I got a pair for christmas!) they are close to $200.

The fastening system is awesome, I heard lots of complaints about last year's model (MX 300 I think). Probably explains the $50 price difference. But you slip 'em on, turn a ratchet mechanism to snug 'em up, and close a velcro flap over the front and you're good to go.

+1 on the Lake MXZ301 Winter boot

199.99 at http://aebike.com/site/intro.cfm (course I got mine on sale for 167.00 total price!)

169.95 at http://www.bikemannetwork.com/biking/p/SH-LAKEMXZ301

189.07 at http://store.airbomb.com/Items.asp?Cc=302%2DT%2D219



(just to mention a few...you can find the deal if you search!)

In SC, we haven't had much of a winter either so we're still pedalling along :) But since my commute involves my kiddo (9yr old in grade school) I don't ride when it's raining.

Congrats to everyone who is still in the game!

It's been such a wussball winter I'm not sure this counts. Still ticking...

I'm still riding through my first winter and on the bike most days. Once in a while I get lazy, but for the most part I am on the bike every day.
I agree that studded tires were a good investment. A few blocks of my ride dont get plowed and have no southern exposure. The ice builds up and stays. Given that, I would quickly part with $100 rather than bleed all over the street and take stiches. They really do work well. No 20mph cornering, but there is no surface that I'm not comfortable with.
Finding the right mix of clothes does continue to be the challenge due to my varying travel conditions. I start out on a big downhill[really cold], and end with a big uphill[really hot]. I've been wearing a light insulated jacket over a t-shirt and a windproof balaclava. Keeps me warm enough on the downhill, but by the time i get to the top of my 2mile climb, it's pretty sweaty even unzipped. Someday I'll find the right mix...but not today :-)

I'd like to give a big thanks to my studded Nokians (the commuter ones, 700x35 W106). Riding on ice is a breeze.

+1; I LIKE ice; it's not a problem at all and it's better than rutted snow. Today I was heading into a 20+MPH gusty headwind all the way home, and near the end I was heading up a steep hill into the wind in granny, and the hill was solid ice. I finally broke the rear loose a bit, dug some gouges in the ice :-)


I have been riding the studs ever since I got them (two months ago?). They look brand new. Those carbide studs really do last forever.

I got the same tires last year, put 600 miles on them. This year I've put about another 600 on them already, and I can't really see much wear. They still grip fiercely. Glad I went for the extra few bucks for the good stuff. The LBS guy was trying to convince me to make my own with fat tires and metal screws. "You only have to replace the screws once during the season and again before the next season" - yeah or I could spend $20 more and just get tires I can use for 5 years without screwing with them all the time.

It's been such a wussball winter I'm not sure this counts. Still ticking...
Agreed. Guess we're just practicing for next year.

No more high speed winter cornering for me.
I ride alot slower in the winter for two reasons. One is to avoid coming upon ice at high speed. The second is to avoid generating too much wind-chill.

Back around September, we had a thread about new (northern hemisphere) commuters facing their first winter. Many expressed a committment to give it a try. Now that we are more or less in the middle of it, with a few storms under our belt, I'm curious how many of you have made it this far and how it's been. Anyone winter newbies care to update us?

FYI, this is my third winter. The first year, I really had no idea if I could do it, so I figured I'd just keep trying as long as I still felt okay about it. I took the challenges as they came, and before I knew it, it was spring and I'd made it through! :)

Just wondering, what are some of the most important things you discovered along the way? How long do the rice hand warmers go? Can you re use them?

Hi John,

I'm in York, ME and this is my first winter commuting. I've been getting about 3 days per week in. I haven't biked when the roads are snowy. Yesterday was very interesting, a lot of black ice. I stopped at an intersection, put my foot down, and my foot almost slipped out from under me! I managed to stay upright the entire trip. I didn't ride today, but I plan to tomorrow.

I've been riding most days, but not every day when there is AM rain. No rain in this part of California, so I feel like I'm wimping out. Missed a few days for a back injury, DR. released me to ride to work, so back to riding. I get some funny looks riding to work to work modified work, but I explain the ride is low impact and exercise is better for my back than inactivity. Tomorrow I'll ride in for a 4 hour meeting. Can't wait to get back to regular work, modified duty sucks.

Just wondering, what are some of the most important things you discovered along the way? How long do the rice hand warmers go? Can you re use them?
Most important things I've learned? Oh, I don't know. That a string of colored Christmas lights last pretty well on C batteries but less than an hour on AA's? ;)

Okay, if I were to get serious, I'd probably say that I've learned that I can do more basic transportation on a bike than I ever thought about before I started, although I've still got left to grow into and I'm looking forword to that. Hey, I never thought when I started that I'd get rid of my personal car!

It's also been very personally enriching to this skinny guy who was never very athletic before that he can actually ride impressive distances, be in good shape, and be admired by friends and co-workers for it. And be part of a significant community (even if most of it is over the Internet, although that's changing). And last but certainly not least, the positive effect of built-up thigh muscles on one's significant other! :D

The hand warmers only seem to last about 15 minutes on their own, although they've warmed up the mittens by then, so the warmth still lingers. And my commute is only 20-25 minutes. They are definately reusable, I've been using them for about a month now. One annoyance is that it is a very damp warmth, but maybe that's partially the material. I used terricloth from an old bathrobe I had just torn into rags. I've been meaning to post something on the Winter forum about this, but I've also been waiting to take a picture of them first, which I haven't gotten around to.

Thanks for asking, 2many. You are definately my mentor! :)

P.S. I was in your fair city for the snowstorm Monday! Not on a bike, but I did bike to the Portland bus station and back to catch the Concord Trailways. My company has an office on Franklin Street in the financial district, and I also visited a very lovely office in the Beacon Hill area. It was nice to see Boston again, especially in the pretty snow. (Until it turned to rain and slush!)

I'm in York, ME and this is my first winter commuting. I've been getting about 3 days per week in. I haven't biked when the roads are snowy. Yesterday was very interesting, a lot of black ice. I stopped at an intersection, put my foot down, and my foot almost slipped out from under me! I managed to stay upright the entire trip. I didn't ride today, but I plan to tomorrow.
Glad to hear it (except the slipping part)! I've slipped twice this winter so far. Like I said somewhere else, sometimes we forget how to drive in it as much as the motorists do. :rolleyes: Most of my commute is on major enough roads that they are generally just wet even in a snow such as today's, in which I did ride. (Riding in snow has been gradual though. I'm definitely trying it more this winter than I have before.) The neighborhood streets are a pain, though. Probably worse tomorrow after they've been packed down and gone through another thaw/freeze cycle. I haven't tried the studded tire route yet, due to all the road riding, but I'm sure they would help on the neighborhood streets.

By the end of last winter, I actually started cutting through the Maine Mall in the mornings just so I could intentionally practice skidding and recovering in the empty parking lot. But I haven't re-attained that level of bravado yet this winter! :o

Looks like the rest of the week should be okay. Happy trails! (Shoulders?)

I've continued through the winter for the first time this year (approx 22 mile round), and not missed a day.

Admittedly although temps have dropped we've had only a little snow or ice to contend with here so far. Have sorted what works clothing wise and mostly have remained very comfortable utilising a variety of combinations. Perversely I think I've enjoyed winter riding more than the rest of the year - I like the sense of battling the elements and the reaction of non-cyclists or fair weather cyclists to the mere proposition of winter commuting over reasonable distance.

Good luck to everyone for the rest of the winter months - hoping you all stay safe.

I've missed half of one day. There was one week when we had a little snow/ice on that Monday (and I had no problems), and then we had a huge storm on that Thursday night. I could only ride for about 20% of my 3 mile commute in, so I walked for the other 80% of the time. My mom didn't want me to ride/walk home at the end of the day (dark/refreezing), so she picked me up. Aside from that, nothing has stopped me.

I'm definitely going fixed with an extra wheelset with studded tires next year.

Most important things I've learned? Oh, I don't know. That a string of colored Christmas lights last pretty well on C batteries but less than an hour on AA's? ;)
:lol: I did not know that either!


Okay, if I were to get serious, I'd probably say that I've learned that I can do more basic transportation on a bike than I ever thought about before I started, although I've still got left to grow into and I'm looking forward to that. Hey, I never thought when I started that I'd get rid of my personal car!

It's also been very personally enriching to this skinny guy who was never very athletic before that he can actually ride impressive distances, be in good shape, and be admired by friends and co-workers for it. And be part of a significant community (even if most of it is over the Internet, although that's changing).
That's nice to hear.


And last but certainly not least, the positive effect of built-up thigh muscles on one's significant other! :D
:lol: One of the best benefits of all !!


The hand warmers only seem to last about 15 minutes on their own, although they've warmed up the mittens by then, so the warmth still lingers. And my commute is only 20-25 minutes. They are definately reusable, I've been using them for about a month now. One annoyance is that it is a very damp warmth, but maybe that's partially the material. I used terricloth from an old bathrobe I had just torn into rags. I've been meaning to post something on the Winter forum about this, but I've also been waiting to take a picture of them first, which I haven't gotten around to.

The hand warmer invention is a great tip that I have never heard of !! Good one John! You should post it in winter cycling somewhere. I'm going to have to experiment with it. We all help each other, it goes both ways. :)


P.S. I was in your fair city for the snowstorm Monday! Not on a bike, but I did bike to the Portland bus station and back to catch the Concord Trailways. My company has an office on Franklin Street in the financial district, and I also visited a very lovely office in the Beacon Hill area. It was nice to see Boston again, especially in the pretty snow. (Until it turned to rain and slush!)
I hate it when nice soft snow is turned to slush.

This is my first winter commuting. I ride 16 miles rt on a fixed gear, with the studded W106's (700x35), and full fenders. It has been easier than I thought but like the other MN boyz have said it hasn't been much of a winter. I enjoy how quiet it is when the snow is falling and I am just riding along. My biggest challenge has been the deer. With the background of white snow they stick out easily and they look a lot bigger when you're not up in a treestand. I haven't had any close calls, but I am always like "Please don't jump, please don't jump...." until I get past. So far they just stare or run away.

What I have learned

The W106's are worth every penny. I originally thought I would only ride them when it was really nasty, but after a few days I realized they work fine on dry pavement too and just kept riding them day in and out. Plus, then I don't have to check the weather while I am at work. If it snows-no big deal I already got the right tires on.

Fixed gear is perfect for the winter. It's my first one. With full fenders and a mud flap on the front, there is no maintenance. I can't recommend fenders enough-they look dorky but they really work! My fixed gear is an IRO Jamie Roy with flat bars and a front brake.

Foxwear sports is great. I heard lots of reports of Gore-tex stuff not always working right because the sweat wouldn't evaporate, it would freeze. Plus I didn't want to spend $150-200 on a jacket when the bike frame was only 250. I found this company online, and called to order a heavy weight Evap jacket ($80). The owner Lou and I talked for a while-nice guy. He made me some tights ($77), long sleeve powderdry shirt ($30) and sent some extra large socks($5) too. All heavy weight thickness. So when I ride this is what I wear: powerdry shirt, cheap Target fleece, and Evap jacket, underwear (Not long), tights and thicker athletic socks (one pair), shimano mtn shoes, and the extra large socks on the outside of the shoes with a hole cut in the bottom for the SPD pedals. And gloves, stocking hat and helmet. I have ridden down to 11(F) below zero and felt fine. The coolest thing about the jacket is that the wrists are loose so the blood flows into my hands and the socks are pretty much wind/water proof and they are loose too. The full length zipper is a must have and is used all the time once I warm up. I don't ride slow and easy-I ride hard to warm up fast, the windchill does nothing after the first mile. Here's the link;http://foxwear.net/products.htm

I gave up on the weather reports. At first I would check the weather on the net and then go outside to see how it was. But I would sometimes get discouraged and then drive in. Now I get dressed inside the house, helmet and all, open garage door, push bike outside, close garage door with extra opener in my pocket, and clip in and I'm gone. It works great and I am still warm once I start riding. And the more I pedal the warmer it gets!

I got a Chrome bag from my wife for Christmas and it is super. I just carry my real clothes in to work and leave some shoes there all the time.

I love riding in the winter!
MN Dan