riden through Canada. do i need earmuffs?
 

Alright, so I’m pretty sure it wont be that cold, but does anyone know how cold of weather I should prepare for? I’ll be riding between June and august staying for the most part at or south of the trans Canadian highway. Thanks.
-Dan

Umm, it doesn't get that cold here. The only part of Canada you would need ear warmers during June-August is possibly going over some of the high passes in the Rockies. Other than that, expect temperatures as low as 5-10 at nights and between 20 C and 40 C during the days for the rest of the country. Good luck with your tour!

That's correct, though if you were in the mountains during June in a late year it could be cold. We always had our conferences in Jasper etc... no earlier than the 3rd week of june.

I ALWAYS bring a headband (the winter ones which cover the ears) with me on ALL my rides all year round. It can get that cold ... even in the middle of summer. I've seen snow in every single month of the year in the prairies.

so should i bring gloves and a winter jacket?

I would bring a good shell more for rain purposes than for the cold and a good fleece or something like that to wear when you are not on the bike. Winter Jacket would definitely be overkill during the summer unless you are a "cold" person. Aside from biking gloves, it my be nice to have a pair of thin gloves or something along those lines for chilly mornings but nothing too much. Winter gloves would be overkill as well. During late August and early June, you can run into "crisp" mornings where a headband and thin gloves make the ride much more comfortable.

If I were you, I'd bring a good quality rain jacket and mini-gloves which you can wear under your cycling gloves. You can pick up mini-gloves at Walmart for $1.

It depends where you spend the month of June and it depends where you are from (i.e. what weather you are used to). Daytime temperatures may be anything from 10-15 to 30°C and the worst, I find, is cold rain.

So bring a few layers and if it's really that cold, just wear them all together and stop for coffee once in a while. I have rain pants and a rain suit, and one extra possibility is to wear these (pit zips open) if and when it's really cold. I also carry neoprene kayaking gloves which I find great when it's +5 or +10°C and raining: my hands stay warm and relatively dry.

It depends where you spend the month of June and it depends where you are from (i.e. what weather you are used to). Daytime temperatures may be anything from 10-15 to 30°C and the worst, I find, is cold rain.

So bring a few layers and if it's really that cold, just wear them all together and stop for coffee once in a while. I have rain pants and a rain suit, and one extra possibility is to wear these (pit zips open) if and when it's really cold. I also carry neoprene kayaking gloves which I find great when it's +5 or +10°C and raining: my hands stay warm and relatively dry.

Years ago when I biked from Denver to Jasper, it was hot everywhere in the Rockies that summer. The highest temperature of the entire trip was in a valley in eastern BC south of Radium Hot Springs, where it reached 104F - 40C. Cycling in the summer months in 6 provinces in Canada in various years, I've never had weather that I would even describe as "cool". I'm sure it can happen, though, and I guess you need to be prepared for it.

OK, if you want some actual recorded temperatures for the areas you are cycling through, here's the site:

http://www.climate.weatheroffice.ec..../canada_e.html


If you take a look at the Monthly stats for Winnipeg, Manitoba in 2004, for example, you'll see that the extreme minimum temps that year were:

May: -9.8C
June: 2.1C
July: 3C
Aug: 0C

http://www.climate.weatheroffice.ec....Month=5&Day=30

Those kinds of temps usually occur in the early hours of the morning ... often right around dawn ... and it usually takes a few hours to warm up.

So ... for early morning riding, I would recommend taking a few bits of warmer clothing, like a headband, minigloves, tights, light nylon booties, etc.

I also prefer to bring a headband. Like to wear one when moving into a hard headwind.

Hate that constant howling in the ears and a headband gives relief and makes my ride more enjoyable