Winter Cycling - Winter sucks!

OK, so maybe I'm not as hardcore as most, but this winter is killing me. I started really riding (50+ miles a trip) last spring when I got my new Bianchi. Now, I haven't ridden in a month. could handle the cold, but the wind chill goes right through me....and between all the salt and sand they dump on the roads here, I might as well use my mountain bike. How do some of you riders in the North ride on roads filled with sand?

We find older bikes to ride, either the one the Bianchi replaced or some other steed. I have several bikes to choose from, and don't ride all of them in the winter, that's a select few that do the work.

I keep hearing about this thing called winter...

:confused:

Pick up a used bike, install studded tires and through on a wind blocking jacket...peddle like hell and you will not get cold.

Originally posted by tchazzard
peddle like hell and you will not get cold.

That much is guaranteed. Instead, you will get very hot very soon. Finding a comfortable combination of clothes for your winter rides can be a challenge.

BTW, ChrisL has got to be one of the most consistent and diligent contributors in the Winter Biking -branch. :beer:

--J

Might try a cyclocross bike with cyclocross tires. In MN, they dump enough sand/salt so that a semi knobby tire is better than a road tire, but it is still lighter than a studded tire(which you would want for the ice).

I'm with all the folks above that recommend riding junkers in winter. I can't fathom the idea of riding a good machine in the winter salt and sand.

Dress just like you were going cross country skiing.

I agree that it is the wind that intensifies the cold. Cover everything up with wind-breaking fabric shell. I find that a silk balaklava is one of the most key ingredients to comfortable winter biking.

Gaitors for your calves also help tremendously.

Stay on the road, my friend. Don't let the winter stop you.

winter rules for riding

Except during and shortly after a storm, any bike with long fenders is a good winter bike. At the end of my fenders, I have even added mudflaps that come within 5 cm of the ground. Result: even my bottom bracket stays dry.

Clothingwise: look at other threads. I find that the only critical part are the feet.

Weatherwise: at least, it's easy to control sweating.

BTW, my poorest season is generally November and early December. During those months, my mileage is strictly commuting.. It seems that as soon as days start to get longer, I get in the mood again and that I am interested in night rides.

Regards,

Thanks - you guys are hardcore. I could use my old Cilo, the bike I had before the Bianchi. I've let it go a bit, and will have to give it a little TLC before I put it on the road...now I just have to get motivated.

You might think about going fixed or single speed, our friend Sheldon has a nice set up on his site.

I'm with you Nemo, WINTER RULES!

Originally posted by Syd's bike
....and between all the salt and sand they dump on the roads here, I might as well use my mountain bike. How do some of you riders in the North ride on roads filled with sand?

The salt and sand on the roads (crap) on the roads makes a big mess, but can be dealt with. The riding on it isn't a problem, it's the mess it makes of the bike and cleanup afterwards. Good fenders keep a lot of the crap off the bike, but after a salty/slushy/gritty ride, you should hose off the bike. I had 2 extremely slushy rides Friday (to work and back). I rinsed the salt off at work, waited until Saturday to rinse it off at home. My car keys (I leave them in a back pocket of my pannier bags) were starting to corrode!!!! . Salt kills!!

People who sit around and wait for spring aren't fond of winter. When you're out in it, being active, winter is pretty good!!:D