Commuting during the cold winter weather/snow
 

Any tips?

I live in Canada and the temperatures over here can get pretty cold. Today for example it was -17 degrees C.

I usually wear a sweater with at least 3 layers under, however I'm not sure how this may hold up in colder weather.

It's not quite as cold here. The ride home last night was about -6C.

I've found three things matter a lot when cycling in winter.

First is that the outermost layer needs to be windproof. Otherwise the wind--either from Mom Nature or my own motion--just blows the heat away. My cycling jackets and my winter tights are both wind and water resistant.

Second is that sweat management is even more important in winter. Wearing too much means sweating through my layers. Wet clothes = hypothermia. So I tend to underdress just a bit, and compensate by pedaling harder.

My rule of thumb is that when I first step outside, I should feel like I need to turn around for another layer. Experience has shown that starting out like that means that by 10-15 minutes into the ride, I'm unzipping things, which is just about right for me. The coldest it's gotten here since I started cycling to work is about -20C. I still had the pit zips open on my jacket to let the moisture out.

Third is that how hard you ride makes a big difference. I ride hard and so generate more heat. Yesterday at -6C, I wore one long-sleeve wicking t-shirt and my jacket. Somewhere between there and -17C, I'll add a second long-sleeve wicking t-shirt. Guys who go along nice, slow, and easy don't make as much heat, and need to dress a bit heavier. Because of this there is no one-size-fits-all recommendation.

EDIT: Riding around slightly underdressed for conditions means I'm significantly underdressed if I have to stop for more than a couple of minutes, like if I get a flat or other mechanical. I generally carry a couple of extra layers with me just in case that happens. I can't wear them for just in case because I'll soak them through.

+1 Completely agree, I do exactly the same.

Agree with tsl's post. As a runner I do all the proper layering. However...

I rode into work this morning at -10, and -18 wind chill. At this temperature you need insulation for your feet. I had on riding shoes with neoprene covers. This was not nearly enough, but it's my first ride at this low a temperature. Depending on the length of your ride, you may need something more. I would have been fine for under an hour, but I was out there longer.

Second thing is mittens. Mittens, not gloves. Don't separate your fingers. They help keep each other warm. Even with quite thick mittens, my fingers were still cold. Not as bad as toes, but far from ideal.

Third, cover your face. I had on a thinner balaclava and oversize, clear glasses. Going into the wind the exposed portion of my face hurt from the cold.

This is all new to me too, so I'm learning as I go.

Good info.

I do need to find something for my feet. Toes suffered a bit this morning. Main problem is I'm wearing plastic clip-in shoes. I have warm socks, but not quite enough.

I do mittens too. Gore WindStopper for 20s and 30s. But for today's teens I went with thicker ski type mittens.

I don't usually cover my face. I breathe too heavily and it would just ice up. I do grow a winter beard which seems to help some.

+1 Tsl's post should be made a sticky in the winter cycling section. Seriously.

Here are links to some possibly useful threads:

http://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/...red-roads.html

http://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/...l-hazards.html

http://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/981515-c-o-l-d.html

http://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/...low-pants.html

http://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/...e-er-cold.html

http://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/...ar-vortex.html

http://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/...pd-cleats.html

http://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/...n-general.html

http://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/...s-awesome.html

http://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/...nter-gear.html

http://www.bikeforums.net/commuting/...ter-biker.html

Welcome to winter riding! :)

- Andy

think - no exposed skin

Where were tsl and bike forums 28 years ago? I have arrived at the same "slightly underdress" strategy as tsl after years of suffering through trial and error. I will add, no tight clothing as it may cut off circulation and leave no pockets for warm air to gather. Extra socks, or thicker socks? LOOSEN YOUR SHOES! I also carry an extra layer incase I have to stop. I have my work clothes, but a dress sirt isn't really a layer.

Thanks for the replies, it was great help. I think I will still wear gloves due to the extra dexterity I get from having all 5 fingers free. I usually wear a pair of thinner gloves under my ski gloves which keeps me warm. As for the feet, I'll double up on thick winter socks and see how that works out for me. If need by, I will get something to cover my shoes. Thanks!

Really only that cold? That is just under 0°F. I figure it must have been colder at some point. I grew up outside Watertown and I recall it being colder than that at times.

But to the OP, under dressing is the way to and carrying an extra layer or two if you stop. I also bring an extra set of thinner gloves which I can do most repairs while wearing, they are dry and keep my fingers warmer and a easier to handle things.

When it was -5°C the other day I wore two thin merino base layers and my summer heat gear high vis top layer. I only wore tights. When it gets below -5°C I have to start adding more layers. A co-worker commented that I was wearing exactly the same clothes as I was in July, which was true, except the merino and different gloves. When it gets rainy cold and wet that is a different beast and I think more prone to hypothermia and miserable commutes.

Edit: For any other winter than Vancouver I would consider investing in winter clipless boots. I get by here with duct taping vents and holes and wearing shoe covers. Then stuffing the shoes with news print to dry them.

Great post
 

this is a great post. what do you carry as an extra layers?

I don't have cycling shoes (and nor do I ever plan to) so I prefer sturdy hiking boots that you can layer additional socks and which cover the ankles.

Plus if you're dealing with snow or other obstacles and have to get off your bike, you'll want good footwear.

Yeah, -4F to -6F is it, even during the polar vortex. The lake keeps us warmer. Further inland it gets cold.

I'm guessing that the colder times you remember were when there was a northerly component to the winds and they blew in overland rather than over the lake.

It depends, but usually a hat, more gloves, and another shirt. That stuff stays as lowest layer in bottom of a pannier for most of the winter. Sometimes I carry more. Thus far I've not had to use it.

I can't speak for BF, but in 1986 I was running the IT department of a speciality trucking company, driving back and forth to work like a good citizen.

Clipless shoes and winter tend to be a recipe for cold feet, especially when winter is spelled with a capital W.

Insulated hiking boots, shoes, or winter boots on flat pedals is really effective at 17... my insulated Merrell shoes handle this well and then it's boot time.

A good rule of thumb is that, if your clothing is too warm for walking about it is going to be much too warm for cycling... a wicking base layer, adequate insulation, and a wind stopping layer go a long ways toward being comfortable.

Merrell makes some really nice shoes. I also use a North Face hiking shoes with Gore-Tex lining... With 2 pair of wool sock I good down to around minus -27 Celsius. Anything colder and I would use Sorrels.

Carrying a whole chain is too much unnecessary weight...What I do is just carry a piece of chain about 7 inches long plus some quick links...I ride FG/SS bikes and never had a chain break on me, but I am still prepared for the worst.

Mark's sells very decent boots... these are good to -40 C and really grippy on ice.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/rando...oots%20(6).JPG

I have a pair of those, bought them at Marks Work Warehouse 2 years ago for $99 dollars, that's a lot cheaper then my North Face shoes from Sports Check. Those boots are very warm. Mark's is a great place to shop, I buy all my wool socks, gloves, balaclavas, high visibility shirts and merino wool baselayers from them.

Nice thing about MWW is their guarantee... if you don't like something take it back for a refund.

I've been happy with these as they are very toasty and allow for enough movement on the bike and when you put a foot down they stick quite well... I have balance / sensory issues in my left foot and really need high traction to keep from slipping and falling when I walk.

I wore ski goggles for the first time today, as my spouse found me a pair with clear lenses that will fit over glasses. That also allows me to breathe through a muffler without fogging up m glasses. Next: A balaclava.

Those of you wearing mittens, is it not problem for hand/finger flexibility to operate the shifters?

I quit commuting when the weather gets to be around freezing, and found that being cool at first and then stopping part way through to take off a layer is more comfortable for me. I plan on being able to stop and take something off so that I don't end up needing to replace a warm layer with something cold, and find that stopping like that is still faster than cooling off at the end of my ride when it's hot out.