Winter Biking 101
Making coffee after giving up on hiking our bikes through snow outside North Bend, WA.
I think there are a lot of folks that are intimidated by cycling or commuting by bike in cold, rainy, snowy, or icy conditions – and with good reason! I put together a few recommendations on how to best approach cycling in less-than-ideal conditions that will hopefully help you stay pedaling year-round.
General Considerations
I live in Seattle, Washington which has some very intensely cold and dark winters (relative to anywhere south of the 43rd parallel anyhow). Yet, we have plenty of folks that cycle and commute year-round because it’s still a lot faster and more fun than sitting in traffic in the rain. I think one of the most upsetting parts of cycling through the winter is accepting that you will be wet and cold, and that the condition will be temporary. The physical discomfort of being cold and wet can be mitigated through the right clothes and gear, but being emotionally and spiritually prepared and accepting of the temporary nature of the discomfort will help the most. Bike rides are good for more than just getting from one place to another, it’s nice to be outside moving your blood around and getting hopped up on endorphins no matter the weather.
When sharing the road with cars, visibility is important because it gets dark so much earlier in the winter. Use reflective tape on your bike, bags, and helmet for an extra pop of shine, and while reflective vests might feel a little dorky, they really get the job done. I personally like having a bright and reflective helmet because it helps cars see you coming over parked cars, which can be important in neighborhood streets or intersections with street parking. You can also find helmet-mounted lights that will make you shine like a lighthouse!
The Bike
It’s worth noting that your bike will not rust if you ride it in the rain, it’s made to withstand the elements. The only time you might need to worry about that is if the paint gets chipped, as that is the barrier that keeps water from corroding the metal frame. Make sure to store it in a covered, dry place and to perform regular maintenance. Regular maintenance means the ABCs (Air, Brakes, Chain):
Keep your tires inflated to the proper pressure (use lower pressure on snow)
Make sure your brake pads have a healthy amount of material left.
Regularly clean, lube, and wipe down your chain for the best performance! (maintenance should be performed YEAR ROUND, not just in wet weather)
You can ride any kind of bike through winter, and fenders are a great way to keep yourself dry and clean since they keep road muck from flying around. There are lots of fender options out there, so explore which ones fit your riding/bike style and budget, a non-exhaustive set of examples of fender types in the images below. Check your fenders for gunk if there are a lot of leaves on the ground, they can get stuck in there and make your bike less efficient.
Depending on the terrain and type of riding, you may want to consider a different tire for the winter time. Leaves, snow, and winter muck can make roads and trails more slippery, so a wider tire or one with deeper treads might be appropriate (have examples of tire types). In rough or snowy conditions, you can also experiment with letting some air out of your tires to give them more grip.
Pro tip: Make sure all of the bolt holes on your bike are covered/closed. Water can get into these holes and during a freeze event can expand and really mess up your frame!
What to Wear
Layering appropriately for the weather and activity is key! No matter how cold it may be outside, once you start biking you will inevitably warm up. There’s a saying for dressing for outdoor activities: Be bold, start cold (you can also start warm and take a layer off, too). When considering what types of clothes to layer, please stay away from cotton or other types of absorbent materials. Cotton takes a long time to dry and absorbs moisture instead of wicking it and can wind up making you colder. Look for clothing and gear made with wool, down, and fleece, or made specifically for winter sports. If it will be rainy, snowy, or icy you may also consider a waterproof outer layer; however be aware that these layers are often not breathable so be prepared to get a little clammy.
An example outfit for a cold, windy, and rainy day might look like this:
Full length photo for the ‘fit!
My friend Danielle and I rode the 2020 Evergreen Gravel Grinder on December 24th in 25 degree weather. Our outfits for the December 2020 Evergreen Gravel Grinder included:
Me: Second-hand cashmere sweater, helmet lining (for skiing, but works awesome for biking), bandana, wool base layers, yoga pants, synthetic gloves, wool socks, waterproof bike shoes
Danielle: Fleece, wool hat, wool base layers, bandana, yoga pants, synthetic gloves, shorts (for warmth and storage!), wool socks, sturdy boots
Great accessories for winter biking:
Gloves, the type will depend on the climate
Clear glasses (like safety glasses from a hardware store) are great for wind and rain protection when it’s not bright enough for sunglasses
Hat with a brim to keep rain off your face
Buff/handkerchief for your face and/or neck
Some companies like Showers Pass have waterproof fabric that they use in gloves and socks (no I don’t know how it works, but I have heard great reviews)
Safety & Comfort on the Road
It is hard to say what constitutes safety, since it means a lot of different things to different types of people. I understand that riding in the dark or in adverse weather can make someone who is already anxious about cycling even more so, and with good reason! Most people in the United States live in places with no cycling infrastructure (which is a public health disaster), but even without dedicated trails or lanes, there are techniques to share space with cars. These techniques are by no means exhaustive, but are important to keep in mind:
Use lights, reflectors, safety vests, etc. to make sure cars see you!
Use dedicated bike lanes or trails when possible
If there isn’t a bike lane, take up as much of the drive lane as you can – it will make you more obvious to motorists – and use a drive lane if the bike lane is full of leaves or snow, too; in some states and regions, it is legal for a cyclist to use a full drive lane
Assume drivers haven’t seen you unless you’ve made eye contact
Be consistent – if it’s safe to go, go, don’t backtrack or waffle at a crossing since this could confuse a motorist
In the winter months, you might want to avoid routes with lots of trees since this means slippery leaves and the potential that ice on the ground might not thaw in the shade
Google maps is garbage for cycling, I recommend looking at your local bike maps or using Ride with GPS to map out routes
Pump your brakes on icy or uneven terrain, it’s safer than holding your brakes continuously and will prevent skidding and sliding
Winter biking can be beautiful and fun! It just takes a bit more planning than fair-weather planning. Hopefully this little guide helps you take advantage of year-round cycling.
Resources:
The Brown Bike Girl hosts virtual “Road School” classes for cyclists to learn skills and build confidence, plus lots of other free resources.
Winter biking posts from Grease Rag Bikes — they know their stuff, they’re in Minnesota!