Nobodyetal

So this bike-commuting desert-dweller has taken a job in Longmont, Colorado.
We'll be moving there in a couple of weeks.
Anybody have any recommendations on clothing and bike mods to make the commute easier/safer?

I don't have a lot of cold weather gear - it usually stays above freezing around here.
Is the Longmont/Boulder/Loveland a place where studded tires are a good investment for a daily commuter?

Commute is in town, 3-4 miles depending on which rental comes through.
Currently ride a LHT w rack/fenders/panniers/lights.

Any insight is welcomed.

RubeRad

Dude, you are in luck. Mr. Money Mustache lives in Longmont. If you try, you can probably arrange to meet him in person. Or at least you can read his winter cycling advice...

LHT all racked up should do you just fine. (I ride a CrossCheck myself)

I was in Longmont once, a business trip to DigitalGlobe. Seemed like a nice place.

Nobodyetal

I think I like that guy.

RubeRad

Mr. Money Mustache is (as he often reminds his readers) BADASS! (or at least brimming over with the quality he calls "badassity")

Although cycling advocacy is one of the largest spokes in his anti-consumerism mindset, I do have to say he doesn't seem to be particularly a bike nerd. By which I mean, I've never heard him go on about bike mechanics (although he describes at length many DIY projects, largely to do with home construction/remodeling), his winter cycling article says nothing about cycling-specific clothing (seems to be all ski clothes! Which is surely fine, although I don't know if specialty ski clothes are any cheaper than specialty bike clothes!), and I bet he would never pay $1000 for a single bicycle. He seems to get good use out of low/mid-range mountain/commuter bikes from reliable brands. Check out this great post, he mentions a K2 Astral that was on sale for $300 instead of $580. A solid bike, I'm sure, but most around here would want something flashier. And his wife's bike was an extravagant $900 Schwinn Moab.

So you with your LHT might seem like Mr Fancy Pants from where Mr Money Mustache is standing, but hey, maybe you could meet him someday over a beer and rib him about his $40 light bulbs.

RubeRad

Oh, and as to your specific question, I think studded tires would be overkill unless you plan to range off the streets (but what do I know, I'm in San Diego!). However, since you have an LHT, and Fatties Fit Fine, it might be fun to play around with a pair...

canyoneagle

The Front Range has pretty moderate weather. Yes, you will get snow and cold snaps, but I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. I lived in Colorado Springs for a couple of years, and found the weather to be very nice.

For the dry cold, I recommend thin layers with a windproof shell top and bottom. Medium weight gloves, and thin balaclava, and shoe covers will be handy to have, as well. If you don't have cycling-specific shells, not to worry. Any parka or rain jacket/pants will work. The key is blocking the wind. Ventilation helps, so pit zips or a rear vent are a plus. I prefer using several different weights of head bands (depending on temp) so I don't interfere with my helmet. If it is below 25F I wear my thin balaclava and a headband. I also use clear or amber lens glasses to cut the wind in my eyes/cheeks.
Good luck with the move!

dyneq

Clothing: it is frequently windy here, so your outer layer is key. Your under-layers can be dialed in to the ambient temperature for any given day. I tend to use a thin fleece over my casual work shirt in the winter. Eye protection is also important because of the frequent sun and wind-swept road grit.

Bike: looks like you're all set. Studded tires would allow you to be car-free year-round, but if you don't mind driving a few days a year (or walking the 3 miles), they're not necessary.

cyccommute 

As canyoneagle says, the winters on along the Front Range are relatively mild. Layers and protection from the wind are the key. You'll probably want to over dress a little for your commute because you won't warm up enough on that short a distance but you'll have to figure out what you need for yourself. Most people who've been here for a while are used to the cold but you may need some time to adjust. Expect morning lows to be around 20 F for the next 6 weeks and afternoon highs to be from 40F to 60 F. January and February are pretty dry months so don't expect a lot of snow or even ice. That means that studs aren't really all that necessary. (Been commuting for 30+ years and I've used them once or twice).

Once March arrives, expect snow, and possibly lots of it, until the end of April or even the middle of May. But that snow will be short lived and the roads only snow packed. A mountain bike...with knobbies...does a very good job in those conditions. If the conditions are too bad, there is no shame in using a car or taking the bus. While we do know how to drive in snow here, there are lots of idiots on the road and you don't need to be squished.

Nobodyetal

I appreciate the comments.
Sounds like a balaclava and some boots are in order.
I'm looking forward to being able to wear regular clothes on a 3-mile commute (rental came through).
Hoping I can get away with a shell/fleece, wind pants, boots, balaclava, and gloves/mitts in the colder weather.
Sounds like that should be sufficient from what you guys are saying.

Anybody else care to weigh in?

jdswitters

Well I wasn't going to weigh in because it was already pretty well covered. I read cyccommutes posts a few years ago and became a 4 season season commuter in fort Collins. Not much to add other than you may not think you need glasses when it is dark out if you have never ridden in subfreezing temps. You do. Good luck and welcome to Colorado.

cyccommute 

You'll probably do okay with that. Keep an eye on the weather any time of year, however. The weather here is best described as volatile. People all over the US say that their weather is very changeable but they would be wrong. Front Range weather can go from 10F to 70F in a day or from 70F to 10 F in an hour. Rain storms are generally short and very, very, very intense. Have a rain jacket but don't expect to need it too often. I actually have a couple of them and keep one at work for when I might need it on the way home.

cyccommute 

Oh, and get a mountain bike. Keep, and enjoy, the LHT but you're in Colorado now. A mountain bike is almost a requirement of residency

dyneq

What cyccommute says. I've only been in CO for 5 years, but the only weather pattern I've observed so far is that there is no pattern! Well, there is one: my commute route has a headwind both ways! I pedal toward the foothills in the AM and back toward the plains in the PM.

Our past weather week is a good case in point: we had a 4 day stretch of extremely cold temps (single-digits in the AM with highs in the teens) and today is t-shirt weather (for me).

You didn't say if you had ever biked in the snow, but if you haven't, I'd recommend taking your bike out on a non-working day to get the hang of it (perhaps also in rain if you don't have experience with that).

canyoneagle

I believe they verify it now before you can get your Colorado ID/DL.

Nobodyetal

Might have to wait until after the first few paychecks, but it's definitely on my list.

cyccommute 

I think they do border checks