Comments on: Beating the effects of cold weather

By: Alfred

Alfred — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 09:55:57 +0000

Keep an eye on your lights! Commuting in the winter probably means riding in the dark. Batteries do not like the cold and will not hold a charge as long when it’s below freezing (or below zero). New technology batteries, such as NiMH and Lithium Ion cells, cope better with the cold than alkaline, lead acid, or NiCads.

By: Alfred

Alfred — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 09:48:03 +0000

Be very careful of ice in your control cable housings. If they freeze, best case scenario is that you’re stuck in one gear until you can thaw out. Worst case is that you will lose your brakes. Here in Fairbanks Alaska, it gets cold enough to stiffen grease also (leading to the same control cable problems) but i’m going to do some experimenting this winter (i’m thinking graphite) while i’m cruising on my shiny new nokian studs.

By: Paul in Minneapolis

Paul in Minneapolis — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 00:36:35 +0000

This morning it was somewhere close to -20f for my ride to the bus stop in downtown Minneapolis, two miles away… There are bus stops closer, but what fun is that as I would walk three blocks, wait, ride bus, get off and wait for the bus that goes to where I work.

My clothes: big-box-store insulated hiking boots w/ large toe-clips, one pair of thick wool sock and chemical toe warmers, snow pants over wicking tights. long sleeve wicking shirt with a light jacket (wind proof), face mask and fleece head band with goggles, an insulated helmet and wool glove liners inside four finger mitts with outer shells along with two packs of chemical toe warmers (one for my four fingers and the other for my thumb). It wasn’t that bad. I would have road to the other end of the city, but the stop I go to only has a few busses pass and that makes it easier to get on the right one as sometimes they forget to change route numbers.

I would have road the whole 8 miles away from the city, but if anything happened to my bike I would have been in trouble at that temperature.

By: Tom Bowden

Tom Bowden — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 18:31:25 +0000

You’re a couple of my favorite tips:

1. Layers!
2. Sport Hill Tights! Wear your cycling shorts underneath – that way you get the next layer and you don’t have to give up your padded seat.
3. Cheap fleece gloves from Wal-Mart! Best $5 I’ve ever spent! Also, the one dollar headband and the $3 next gaiter
4. Don’t overdress!

By: BiggerDummy

BiggerDummy — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 17:47:53 +0000

Use a ski helmet or snowboarding helmet. Much warmer. Ski goggles are great too

By: Jewell

Jewell — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 04:41:22 +0000

Girly? naw, it’s just taking care of your body.

By: Shiny Flu

Shiny Flu — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:53:48 +0000

Blistex (or any other lip balm). I tend to have the problem year round be it just walking or on the bike, but obviously winter’s cold air makes it worse.

A few of my co-workers were making fun of my ‘lip-stick’ application (although Blistex doesn’t look like lipstick!), but I’m pretty sure that the better half appreciates it

By: Dingbat

Dingbat — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:47:20 +0000

Another thing that gets dry may be your sinuses (or they may not, if they get drippy!). But I’ve found a plain, unmedicated saline nasal spray very effective for keeping my nose happy. And also, when I have a cold, for keeping the sinuses flushed out and mitigating the nastiness of postnasal drip.

By: JiMCi

JiMCi — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 16:25:42 +0000

Not much details how to cope with the cold, but this guy here shows us all that riding in the winter – from Vancouver to Montreal – is possible! http://www.thesudburystar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1376594

By: Johnny

Johnny — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:56:13 +0000

While they take some getting used to, neti pots help with snot trouble in the winter. They are usual, but folks who bike all winter are probably adventurous enough to try them:)