Winter Cycling - Prepping Myself for Winter Riding

This will be my first Winter riding my bike. I went through the Winter of '07 walking most of the time. The cold didn't scare me too much, just had a cold face and a numb nose.

I just want some tips and advice on how I should prep myself for this coming Winter. I ride my bike to work everyday and usually go for a 13 mile round trip once or twice a week through the valleys along the mountain edge.

I currently use a home-made road bike and I'm able to ride it in higher gear all the time (gearing is 2 in front and 7 in back, 14). The bike I'm going to get is similar to a Pugsley with a light small frame and big studded winter tires. I'm a little overweight and have asthma so those can prevent me from being my best, but I'm capable at a lot when I work at it.

My roommate has an older HEAVY full suspension mountain bike and I'm thinking of using that bike to train myself for endurance and building more strength.

What kind of winter do you have where you live? I take it you have freeze/thaw cycles as you're talking about studded tyres. Fat studded tyres are needed for deeper snow or off road. For commuting on hard packed snow/ice surfaces, with relatively little loose snow on top, thinner studded tyres (I have Nokian W106s) work better.

--J

In Utah we have mild Summers and mild Winters, we don't really have Spring anymore around here. The temps range around 30 degrees, it will snow constantly for a few days and then not snow for a week. I'm stuck to riding on sidewalks because the roads are narrow enough as is then you add snow to the sides and it's worse (road speeds on my route are around 35 to 45mph). Ice isn't a major issue but I figure better safe than sorry with the studded tires. Most of the times I will be riding to work or getting groceries (pulling a trailer) and by that time the roads have been plowed and it's pretty safe to ride.

The thing that makes this more of a challenge is it's much harder for me to breath when it's colder out. If I can't breath well enough, oxygen doesn't get to my muscles aptly and my asthma starts giving me trouble. That is why I figure if I can get a good workout that somehow builds my muscles to handle the harder to ride in terrain and also improve my lung capacity. The great thing about asthma is it's like a muscle. The more you work at it, the better it gets. If I spent a whole winter indoors, I would have to "re-train" myself for the spring time bike again. That is why I'm thinking that heavy steel frame mountain bike would be a great workout over my 20lb road bike.

Some other Forum members with more experience on those conditions might chime in. But here's my 2 cents. Make sure the studded tyres you get have carbide studs. Sounds like you'll be riding on bare pavement every now and then. With carbide studs you don't have to worry about wearing them out.

Studded tyres and the occasional snow will give you increased rolling resistance. It will feel strange at first, and you're average speeds will be lower. Allow yourself some extra time for commutes. You could practice spinning on soft surface (off road, mud, deep grass and such). On uneven icy ruts I sometimes find it easier to mash with low cadence, but by your description you won't see much of that.

--J

I ride year round here in eastern pennsylvania and it can get mightly cold and nasty. I usually won't do negative numbers but after a while 20's and 30's are bearable.
Of course you MUST have correct clothing and know how to wear it or your 30 miler's (in my case) could be dangerous.

My typical garb for say a cloudy 25 deg. F would be: Wool socks, botties over shoes (assos), bib shorts (descent, hi end), Leggins (TK3), Base layers (2, castelli), compression neoprene jersey (TK3), Outer jacket (Assos airjack 851), Gloves (Assos 3 pair system 851), Glasses (Tifosi or Giro Havik), Head skull cap (Assos), Helmet (Bell).
I also use chamois creme (Assos).

First 5 miles are little chilly.

Acclimatization is key. Just keep riding. Let yourself feel chilly through the autumn. Don't over-compensate with warm clothing. You can always pedal harder for more heat. By the time winter arrives, you'll be ready for it.

I also use a three-mile rule. If I'm still cold after three miles I should have put on another layer. If I warm up before three miles, I wore one layer too many.

FWIW, since I started riding in the winter, I haven't worn any of my heavy winter wear. All the stuff I used to wear when I walked and used the bus has spent the last few winters in the closet.

Acclimatization is key. Just keep riding. Let yourself feel chilly through the autumn. Don't over-compensate with warm clothing. You can always pedal harder for more heat. By the time winter arrives, you'll be ready for it.

I also use a three-mile rule. If I'm still cold after three miles I should have put on another layer. If I warm up before three miles, I wore one layer too many.

FWIW, since I started riding in the winter, I haven't worn any of my heavy winter wear. All the stuff I used to wear when I walked and used the bus has spent the last few winters in the closet.

+1 good advice.

I would add that while you may not be wearing all your clothes, be sure to pack an extra layer just in case you have a flat.

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/OW403D02-Pearl+Izumi+Facemask+Microsensor.aspx?SSAID=198698

I don't ride in the winter without one of these. My face is too pretty to get frost bite.

Spend as much time as you can outside before it starts to get colder, even if you're just walking or messing around in your yard. A little time each day and then suddenly you realize it's only 15 or 20 degrees F but it barely feels any colder than yesterday felt, which was barely any colder than the day before, etc. The same thing works for getting used to the heat.

I like the 3-mile rule mentioned above too

Check out this website: http://www.icebike.org/Default.htm