Here’s a timely post from one of our Winter Commuting bloggers, Dan B. Now that it’s really nasty outside, this is a great way to help you Conquer the Cold and bike to work.
I should probably begin this post with a disclaimer that the tips and tricks I tend to write about are things that work for me. I don’t have a huge budget for specialized winter gear so I make do with more mainstream winter accessories and the notion that you have to expect to get a little chilly or wet but planning ahead will minimize discomfort or major disappointment.
While I usually keep bike riding until there’s just too much snow, I’m pretty sure I could ride all winter and deal with the extreme cold if that’s all there was.
Since I’m commuting to work, I do keep a pair of dry socks and an alternate pair of shoes that I can change into when I arrive if need be. On rainy days, I’ll pack dry pants and a shirt that’ll serve me well. Even if I’m wearing rain gear, it’s not at all unusual to have some part of me get drenched during the ride.
Extremities first – you need a decent pair of gloves that meet the following specs. Wind proof, warm and flexible enough to allow safe control of braking and shifting. They have to be essentially impermeable to air – leather is a good bet, especially thin leather. They also have to have some warm lining, like wool or some synthetic polar whatever. I’m presently using a pair of driving gloves that I received as a gift and they meet those requirements and my fingers stay warm – leather provides minimal waterproofing but will dry within a few hours. It’s a fine balance getting leather that’s thin enough to enable control for shifting and braking and still provide wind and cold protection.
Shoes – also need to be mostly impermeable to air and warm. I’ve got a nice pair of trail hiking shoes that breath on the sides but have solid leather on the top and front. Full fledged winter boots would be too clunky for pedaling; but if you’re prone to cold toes – winter boots may be just the ticket. I’ve used chemical-heat hand warmer pads in my shoes and I’ve also sprinkled cayenne pepper into my shoes. The chemical hand warmers are perfect for rides of an hour or less but they’re not reusable so they get expensive. Using cayenne pepper is a novel approach but does seem to work – I’m just always careful not to overdo it. 1/2 teaspoon in each sock, letting it get to the tip of the sock is a good amount to start with.
Keeping your head warm while also wearing a helmet is a bit tricky – I use a really thin polyester cap that covers my ears and still permits a good fit of the helmet. When it’s really cold (sub 20′s), I’ll wear a polar fleece face mask too but have to make sure it doesn’t limit my peripheral vision.
I can usually expect to be so toasty with all that prep that I’m actually perspiring when I arrive at work – that’s a great sign that a good combination of layers and physical effort was used.
Stay warm and be safe !
