I've found that it's easier than I thought to "assert your space" on the road in the winter. Usually people in cars get (subconsciously or not) annoyed by bikes in "their" lane - but they're not stupid or a--holes either. When everyone sees the road and bike lane conditions (snow, ice) in winter times, cars keep their distance and they drive way more careful around you. Everyone actually behaves like just wanting to get from A to B _safely_ . And *be visible* on the road as a cyclist, obviously.
I found my temperature limit a week ago on my 40 minute ride to work. Forecast said -10°C so I thought I'd be fine, but I ignored the wind chill and cold front that made it feel like -25. I had ski goggles, balaclava, thick gloves, winter boots, and warm clothing. I still thought I was gonna die. Sometimes you just need to know your limit. Took the bus home that night and I'm very thankful for the bike racks on buses where I live. However I can vouch so hard for a front studded tire. It has saved me 3 times so far. The back end will swing out, but as long as you're in control, you'll stay up.
@@CaptApril123 Yeah I was winded by the time I got to work, and my toes felt all stuck together, which is one of my least favourite sensory feelings. The mouth and nose area of my balaclava was soaking wet because of all the moisture accumulating from my heavy breathing. Overall it was Not A Great Time. It was 11 kilometers, I do not recommend it. Don't risk your life over pride lol
I did my ride at -30 last week and that’s pretty much the limit. I love not worrying about whether my car will start at the end of my shift though. I discovered a new hard limit this year though when we got 8 inches of snow in 12 hours, it took me 3x as long to get home.
Rain is the worst. When I was winter commuting last I could ride down to -15 celcius. With wetness I often was MISERABLE at 2 or 3 degrees. Rain being the worst as it can find any chinks in the armour - puddles from melting snow are OK if you got good neoprene show covers, I found those always more reliable than "waterproof" pants & tops.
One huge note I'd add about cars in the winter, especially after it's snowed, is that they get QUIET. My daily commute is entirely on streets (...while there is a way to get there on paths, it's 3 times as long), and after a fresh snowfall I will really find myself being snuck up on and passed by cars, not noticing them until they're within arms' reach of me. I think there are also some systemic issues, like "pass-itis", where drivers seem hell-bent on passing bikes just for the sake of passing, and this is even more of a problem in the winter. While I do assert my presence in my lane, I've had more than enough people attempt dangerous passes around me, and I often find myself pulling over if a car gets close behind me to prevent that from happening. I think you're absolutely right that riding on the roads is a bad idea, but when you do end up on roads, caution is extremely important, and a mirror is essential if you can get one.
I’m not good in temps below 1c but am in uk and it’s usually windy and rainy as well as cold. I am just starting biking again at 65 so hoping by this time next year I will be better. There are not a lot of good safe bike roads where I live either. I do walk every day whatever the weather. 🇬🇧🏴
Thanks for the great video. I have cycled a lot in very cold conditions in the winter here in Norway. Studded tyres both front and back are the thing if you need to use your bike regularly in the winter months. I have ridden with a studded tyre only on my front wheel, which is fine until you have to cycle uphill on ice or snow. The only thing I would add is to recommend wearing a hi-vis reflective jacket, cars and other traffic need to see you. Cycling in -15C to-20C will always be a problem for hands and feet but shoes that are larger than normal, with room for good woollen socks are recommended. Safe cycling folks!
I use my bicycle for all transport. Because I'm lazy. It's just so convenient. PS: Toque, beanie, wool hat ... in Denmark we call the headwear a *hue* . Clearly the best word in the world haha
There is a whole world of 90s, early 2000s mountain bikes for less than $300 that are waiting to be someone's winter commuter. They make great pub bikes in the summer. Once they rust out, send to metal recycling.
@@KILLKING110 I got a Trek Mountain Track steel frame w no rust left in a garage, just the inner tubes were fused to the tires but aside from that perfect for $50.
Hey Tom! Hello from Winnipeg, where it's been -30 or lower for days. I commute 13ish km's everyday in steeltoes, so it gets COLD! Something that's really helped me is Manitobah Mukluk sheepskin insoles. They're well worth the $20, actually keeping my feet almost room temperature to -30. Since you were talking about cold feet.
A couple of points about clothing for cold weather riding: - Pogies over your bars are a very good way to keep your hands warm with thinner winter gloves for better dexterity on your hands. - A ski/snowboard helmet is warmer than a cycling helmet with a thin cap underneath for very cold weather. Get one with adjustable vents. They don't always play well with glasses or sunglasses however as they're made for goggles.
A light and competent ebike makes winter cycling fairly easy. When living in the midwest, we had extremely cold temps which would require me to wear a full face mask (like for grinding metal) for which ebiking was good because then I'm not exhaling a bunch.
merino wool ski socks are great for keeping your feet (and legs below the knees) warm while cycling. I'm glad you suggested some ski gear for the absolute coldest conditions, I use a few cross-country pieces when winter commuting and they are great; after all they're made for winter activities!
One of my biggest problems was keeping my nose warm. During COVID 19 - I started wearing N95 masks - kept my nose very warm and I could still wear my goggles. Pogies (handlebar mitts) saved my hands. Thanks
@gur262 I agree, I wear one under my helmet; it does everything, covers mouth, nose, ears, neck and provides an extra layer for my head. One Balaclava can replace several pieces of clothing.
Two things, first, thanks for these kind of videos. I grew up in the southern US and was always a fairweather cyclist. After being encouraged by you, I've gotten some layers (key point!) and venture out in the cold. Total game changer. Second....we didn't do sweat.
Good info, Tom, thank you. I'm riding more this winter than I ever have and the extent of the "winterizing" I've done to my bike, a Trek FX3, which is similar to yours in terms of intended usage, is adding fenders. I live in the Seattle-Tacoma area so the road conditions aren't generally as bad as you get in Calgary, but they can get nasty here too. I've incorporated a lot of the clothing tips you mentioned and they are indeed helpful. As a result, I've able to ride most days. Sometimes you just have to be hardcore about it and get on the bike and go. I don't do cold as well as I used to, but I'm determined to incorporate the bike much more into my daily life. So far, it's been going pretty well. One thing you did not talk about is dealing with precipitation. Cold is one thing, but the rain puts a real damper on my desire to ride. Cheers.
Great tips. Worth repeating the point about base layers. For any activity the layer next to your skin is the key to staying warm when you go from high-output to low-output activities like riding up a hill and stopping at a traffic light. People sometimes focus on the coat and the boots and then sabotage their layering system with a cotton t-shirt and socks under everything instead of wool.
Really important to remember that there's a line between being courteous to drivers and risking your safety for the convenience of drivers. A few mildly inconvenienced drivers is a small price to pay for the safety of being seen and taking the space you need to avoid hitting road hazards or becoming one yourself. Even the year-round dangers like door zones become much more of a risk when your ability to maneuver quickly is restricted by snow and ice.
Great video, I wish I'd seen it a few years ago when I first took up winter riding. One comment I'll add on dealing with the cold is that if being out in it for extended time is new to you, you may need to give your body time over the course of days/weeks/a season to acclimate to cold. The mental and physical responses to extremes tend towards "danger! panic!" and it takes repeated exposure to get comfortable with it. It's not just mental, your respiratory and circulatory systems cope better with the familiar than with the new. So allow for multiple rides at the start to build up your endurance with extended sessions in the cold. Especially if a typical winter for you is climate controlled indoors -> door -> car -> door -> climate controlled indoors.
Ice is no problem even with regular all-terrain tires IF (and it's a big "if") you take corners INCREDIBLY slowly, the ground is pretty flat and doesn't fall away to the left or right, and you brake slowly with the rear ONLY. The bike is pretty stable on ice on flat straights.
I gave up on studded tires because they're too expensive. The noise is annoying, it's the sound of money leaving my wallet. The majority of the time it's dry pavement and if I ride on ice, make no sudden movements.
@@newttella1043 Yes, I agree. I was going to buy, but a single tire can cost $200, which is insane. Ice riding is no problem, if everything is done gradually, and you're not sliding to the side.
I also bike commute in the winter in Calgary and this video is awesome some super great content! Thanks! And the shwable studed bike tires are the best for the winter.
Love your content. You're doing a great service to improve biking globally. Regarding this topic, I have decades of experience year-round mountain bike commuting in Barrie Ontario. For those unfamiliar, Barrie is southeast of Georgian Bay, therefore lots of lake effect snow. I'm now retired and living in Calgary and love it here. Here are some things that I do slightly different in the winter that might be useful to some. - Regarding salt and sand problems for a bike. I regularly go to self-serve car washes and clean my bike up. When doing so, be very careful not to wet yourself with the mist. - Regarding sweating, no matter the temperature, I always wear shorts under uninsulated splash pants. Initially walking out and getting on the bike is freezing but after a short period of riding my legs warm up. When I got to work I'd remove the splash pants and shorts and put on regular pants. - Regarding ice riding. I don't switch to studded tires for winter, I switch to pedals with toe cages. Here's the technique, the front tire is constantly trying to slip out from underneath you in one direction or the other. With practice, you can quickly steer into the direction of the potential fall while simultaneously kicking the back end of the bike over with your feet to align with the new direction you're steering in. That sounds crazy but in practice it's constant, slight adjustments, perhaps multiple times a second. It takes practice but once you've got it, it's like riding a bike :)
Watching your videos inspired me to start cycling to work. Despite the cold, I'm sticking true to my resolution and even made it through a couple days of -45°C windchill weather. Cheers from Winterpeg.
thumbs up for not leaning! ride slow and upright and ice becomes a non issue :) one thing about priority bikes (or any other IGH), be mindful of the shifter seizing up/getting stuck during cold snaps, so leave your gear at a comfortable gear for "all" moments of your ride ;) i just came back for a ride with some longer hills and my gear was stuck at a harder gear and boy did i sweat!
I just started winter commuting on my bike this year (mainly inspired by YT channels like these). The main barrier for me in the winter is the commute time. My shortest route takes 1 hour each way on a good day. When there's decent amount of ice or snow on the ground, that can get up to 1.5 hrs. Plus being at work for 11 hours, thats hard to live with especially having a wife and young child waiting for me at home. So getting an ebike conversion kit and a fatter studded tire on my mountain bike has been a game changer for me. I don't ride fast, but it cut my commute time to just under an hour and its constant regardless of the weather and the amount of sleep I get. Pedal assist is adjustable so I still get a good workout but I'm able to ride more often during the work week. I also look forward to snowy days now (which has been rare in Calgary this year) as it makes for a funner ride.
E-bikes can be a revelation. It's true that you get somewhat less exercise per km, but then again most people end up cycling far more kms than they would have ever dreamt of before. For commuting, where you really want reliability and a limit on travel time/sweatiness/etc., they're fantastic.
Snirt. Now I have a word for it. 😂 I live in western Washington and really the rain and darkness and people who are wholly unsupportive of cycling are my biggest concerns. I'm lit up like it's the circus. Another great vid!
I've found that using a coaster brake really helps in keeping your hands warm during colder rides. It reduces the need to rely on hand brakes, giving your fingers a break from the chill!
Cold feet tip. I put on rain covers over my boots in the cold weather and it helps trap heat inside my boots as well as prevent cold winds from coming in.
Sometimes, just crossing the street makes a big difference. East-west streets may be covered in ice on the south side due to permanent shade; the north side may get enough sunshine to be ice free. Wider tires and dropping the pressure a bit seem to help. As for keeping warm, I've got lobster gloves for the coldest days. And this year I discovered Uniqlo Heat Tech which I'm now covered in from head to toe. Layering is key!
Been riding year round since 2019 in all weather and snow conditions. Late last summer I decided I was going to try something a little different to deal with the ice & snirt, an etrike! Put studded tires on it and even built a snow plough... just waiting for a decent snowfall to put it to the test. Etrikes are amazingly stable and i'm amazed at how much they can carry.
excellent and timely primer on winter cycling. for people like me with perpetual cold hands and toes,.. it maybe your sweat glands. evaporation of sweat draws heat from your body. experiment with latex surgical gloves, moisture wicking layers, a change of socks or antiperspirant. Thanks!
Layering is good to keep comfortable in varying conditions, I always have a very light hi vis vest as my outer most layer, so no matter what i wear underneath I'm always as visible as possible.
I love sharing your winter riding stories. Riding mindfully is key. I wear helmet and use a thin wool beanie but the helmet has a wind/waterproof cover. I wear hiking shoes that have breathable liner, like GTX, and have better traction if you have to hike-a-bike. I built a winter specific bike with an Alfine 8 speed IDH, that is great but it will struggle to shift sometimes when cold soaked -10c and below. Yes, I did service it this fall with a cleaning and new Shimano grease after three winters. I am in NE Wyoming with a climate very similar to Calgary.
Grande Prairie, and the way the MUPs are done there are big snow piles on either side of the trail, so the freeze/thaw/melt cycle means it's sheer ice for much of the winter. The studded tires, on both my electric fat bike and my winter pedal bike, are a god send. I studded the fat tires myself so I've got a few more studs than the retail ones and they grip even the hills really well. I'm a huge chicken when it comes to winter riding so they are a comfort as well.
Thank you I love your videos I’m an ebike cyclist and I prefure cycling over cars and also unlike Tom heated jacket heated gloves and heated shoes and socks too that’s my key to winter survival as a cyclist
My biggest problem is definitely the cars on my commute. I don't have protected bike lanes on my route and the non-shoveled painted bike lanes are also making it horrible. Last year I did a combo transit/bike ride while roads weren't great, but this year transit has a horrendously unreliable schedule due to repairs and slow zones 😭. I definitely try on warmer/ less snowy days though!
Third winter winter biking and I'm really thankful for pogies (bar mitts)! -30C and just a light pair of gloves. With studded tires I can take the same route all year round and not have to deal with cars at all. Great video!
not too difficult to learn to bike uphill in snow and ice but usually i use my foot going downhill kinda like skiing, also learn to recover/drop the bike if necessary. if she's going down you don't have to. started with ebikes two years ago but now pretty only much acoustic bikes. this channel was helpful for normalizing winter, thank you. studded tire for all roads that have mostly ice, and your eyes will adjust to winter after like 30 hours so the pain does go away if you're active. you're going to be slower than you expect but it'll work out
We're in NoCo, and have so much cycling here that I think you occluded us from your survey bc it seems unbelievable. I'm really impressed with how many people here still brave the cold to cycle. The conditions are pretty much identical to this video, but the altitude gives more temp variety throughout the days. So ice mostly melts in a couple days. Tbh, we skip the snow and ice cycling, and just stay home. We still went out last weekend, and will probably get out next week. Fortunately, WFH allows us to make those decisions. Sometimes I do fantasize about working somewhere in town and getting a fat-bike for the ~15 days/year you'd actually need it. With the right clothes, like you mentioned, long-johns and layers...you get too warm halfway to the brewery! That's at ~40° F, but I can imagine pushing it down to 20° if we used balaclavas. It's a conversation starter, when people want to congratulate you for biking. (Best reasons to wear helmet are the intercom/bluetooth and to signal to businesses you biked) There's a debate around how much a right we have to be lazy and justify driving because it's chilly outside.
TYSM for the good info! As for riding in winter, I just use my beater MTB. It's well maintained and in good shape, but I got it used with some scratches. I don't have a sentimental attachments to the bike, so if salt eats it up, that's no problem.
I used to use old MTBs for the winter commute. What rusted solid were the fasteners & cables; after a winter, I couldn't adjust anything. I've used a Dutch bike for the past 14 years - aside from the chain, no real corrosion problems.
I've got thin fall and spring gloves which have good dexterity, and over them I wear convertible mittens which I can flip open when I need dexterity or to use a touch screen, and flip closed when riding. They're serving me well so far while riding in -15c
I also hate "snirt", but I always call it peanut butter snow, as it looks a bit like patches of peanut butter when it forms, and also is what I imagine it would feel like to ride a bike on peanut butter. Great video, from a winter cyclist in manitoba! Coldest ride so far this year was -36C with a windchill of -46C! Definitely need a few more layers than you have for -4 lol
Bike mits are really helpful to key your hands warm below minus 5. They attach to the handle bars and you put your hand in them (you still need gloves but they really help when its minus a lot)
I use an insulated bottle in winter (Elite DeBoyo), I put hot blackcurrant squash in it mostly, sometimes hot sweet tea. I don’t like drinking cold drinks when it is cold outside. In the UK, I will plan a route using gritted roads where there is less chance of ice. Rural bus routes get gritted over here.
I use 26x2.15 MTB tires that I hand-studded and ice has _never_ been a problem. Regarding snirt and brown sugar (thick, loose, dirty snow over packed snow/ice) I completely agree that it's the absolute worst. Try to pick the best line, don't accelerate, and let the bike go where it wants to go. Keep in mind that the gyroscopic force is on your side. Above 15 km/h, your bike wants to stay upright, so keep your upper body loose and let it. Another thing I found that really helps on loose surfaces is to use a lower gear. The faster you pedal, the easier it is to keep your balance and react to slippage. Also, like Tom said, rinse your bike, but do it no matter what material it's made of. Even high quality aluminum frames oxidize and deteriorate in the presence of wet salt.
Thanks for sharing your learned experiences. I'm in west Michigan and this is Lake Effect snow area. We get snow...much more snow. Sometimes everyday. I spent 15 years commuting by bike. I'd add the following to your great video: I learned to ride a fixed gear and found it superior for speed control, balance and bike control. I too like Mitts and the Overmitt style goes over gloves like you were riding with! Plus good full fenders really keep the rider dry/clean.
Very good recommendations. I'll add to the ice recommendations that riders should avoid the sides of deep ruts in ice, which can cause even studded tires to slide side to side. Deep ruts can be caused by car tire tracks, footprints, or plows.
Never heard the word snert before, but I know just the kind you're talking about. Wider offroad tyres handle it better, but it's still unpredictable. The slipperiest surface known to mankind is a cold, dry layer of polished ice, with a thin layer of fresh new snow on top. It has negative friction, it will make you fall even if you're perfectly balanced. Studs will sometimes not penetrate the snow down to the ice. The only real solution is avoiding it. Or ride a tricycle. You'll still slide, but at least you won't fall over. Studded tyres front and back obvously are far better than just in the front when you ride on ice, in turns and on hills. Wider tyres with more studs contacting the ice grip better and allows more leaning and braking, but you still need to be careful of course. Ground rule: Studs are for ice, knobs are for snow. If you ride on both, you need both. A good winter MTB tyre is ideal for grip, but will be noisier on bare asphalt. If it's too slick in places and you have to walk, you'd better have studs for your shoes too, or you'll find walking harder than biking. Mirrors make riding on the road safer. You can react quicker when a driver tries something stupid, and shepherd the drivers to avoid danger. Example: When drivers are approaching from both directions, take the lane early, so the driver approaching from the back doesn't try overtaking until the driver in front has passed. Cold feet are a real problem for some people, and the biggest of ice-fishing boots may not be enough. Chemical or electric toe warmers help though. As for the hands, bar mitts can solve most of that problem. I've only reached my limit for winter biking once, at minus 22C. There was no way I could keep my feet warm, nor keeping my goggles fog free. Your kilometerage may vary. Good riding!
In addition to your video, I'd like to mention to use the scarf to cover your lower jaw and cheeks. There is a big nerve that runs to your lower teeth. If that gets cold, you feel miserable all over. (It's the nerve your dentist numbs to do oral surgery. ) I'd also recommend wearing highly reflective, bright clothing when winter riding. I wear a safety vest. The low light, low grey clouds, plus snow and salt covered streets and sidewalks, makes it hard for drivers to see you. Also I now have two rear lights, set to flash or pulse. It feels much safer knowing car drivers can better see me.
We have one of those twisting switchback highway pedestrian crossing. Love having throttle e-bike on it. Doing acoustic biking this winter and having to fine tune my layering. Have a yellow rain cover on my helmet and it cuts the breeze so well that I haven’t needed to wear my snowboarding helmet.
This is my 2nd season winter cycling. I use 2 studded tires, one winter jacket, long-johns, tuque, neck scarf, regular winter boots and gloves. When it gets to -15C and below, I'll put on a ski-mask to help me poor face. Other than that, I follow pretty much all your advice. Thanks! :)
On busy "narrow" (due to snow) road, I will cross a light and then stop, wait for it to turn red, at which point I have about 20-30 secnds of the road to myself and can ride in the clear middle before the next batch of cars catches up with me at which poimt I ditch into the snow and wait it out. If I know there are car(s) behind me or coming, I will stop at a stop sign and let the pass, This way, I can ride in the clear part of the ard and get to destination faster. Either way, riding in winter is always slower.
Ruts in the ice can push your front wheel sideways. If you can't follow them straight on (hard and dangerous), avoid or cross them at a wider angle. Slippery conditions can be practised and a lowered seat feels safer. Snow dampens noise, so it's harder to hear cars behind you. Road salt is the main reason I don't bike much in winter. I use a singlespeed beater bike and change the rusty chain in spring.
Very thorough overview, especially for those under age 60. Many of us that are older (over-60), love riding our bikes year around for exercise and enjoyment, but also because we have downsized our car ownership. Those living on retirement may have spent our lives with two or more cars, but find one car sits unused most of the time, after we retire. My wife and I have lived with one car for 5 years now - and with our bikes, it works great. However, many of us older riders get cold much easier. For example, at 32 F or 0 C, I'd have on much, much warmer footwear, gloves, neckwear, etc. than what you were showing. I'd have the peel & stick toe warmer packs in my mid-height, gtx, winter, hiking boots, and hand warmer packs in 3 or 4-finger winter bike gloves. Just like you showed, I'd have several layers, although I find I much prefer merino wool over synthetic base layers. (I find that merino wool lasts 2 or 3 times longer than synthetic clothing and is comfortable over a broader range of temperatures.) I'd have a heavy wool neck buff/gaiter, and a thin skull cap under my helmet. With my cycling eyewear (yes, with progressive Rx lenses!), I'd basically not have any bare skin exposed. Just like you show, our city plowing is spotty, and we have a lot of ice on the roads. So we do ride with studded fat tires on lowered pressure and with e-assist. Sweat is a non-issue for us with e-assist.
After recently becoming "car-lite" (downsizing to 1 car), I can relate to your experience. I also use some of the tips that you mentioned: Putting hand warmers inside mittens and boots , ski goggles, balaclava....
Shifter: you live in a rich, civilized country, where they remove the snow from the roads, sidewalks, and bike lanes, Heck, you are lucky to have bike lanes OTOH if you live where I do (Poland), the situation is quite different. Riding in winter = riding on icy sidewalks, or risking your life on icy roads.
You're very right about walking some difficult sections rather than trying to ride through them. Another advice I've found useful from bike tourists: when your feet ged cold, your boots frozen through, walking for some time helps a lot, until blood circulation in the feet warms them, it also hepls with frozen hands. Still, winter cycling is a bit extreme, it's not for everyone. It has an element of voluntarily accepting some suffering from weather conditions. Knowing that I won't be comfortable, I have to bear it, and I go for it. And I've come to belive I need a separate winter commuter bike, a single speed or even a fixed gear at a low gear. An SS or FG requires minimum maintenance. What you have to do with the bike after each ride, to remove the ice and snow and salty dirt before you put it in a warm place to dry, is a bit of a problem. This part is much easier with FG/SS. But first one should find his acceptable gear for winter, for which one needs a multispeed bike of course. As soon as I'm sure I'd be OK with 42/18 (or 38/18 or something) through all my winter conditions, I can go SS or FG, if the frame allows it. Unfortunately, the bike industry never sells what is good for riding, it sells what will break or deteriorade soon, to make you buy more stuff.
the reason gloves are cold is because they isolate your fingers. What I do is wear very thin utility gloves on the inside to break the wind and prevent moisture evaporation, and then wear socks or anything mitten-like on the outside. Most mittens have thumbs, which is a complete mistake. I leave the outer mitten/sock layer on my bike and take the small vapor barrier gloves with me in my pocket. By using thinner gloves the heat can still conduct between your fingers to keep them warm, but you get rid of convection and evaporation.
Using the two layers makes it easier to thermoregulate, and I frequently warm my hand on my face, neck, chest, back or arm pits(I got these tips watching Quentin from ReWildU). The thin gloves mean I can warm my hands without taking them off. It is better to have your hands a little bit cold than to be sweating. If you have thick gloves they are actually warmer if you only wear them halfway on over the fingertips like a mitten and don't put your hands into the finger slots. Wearing the gloves halfway also lets you thermoregulate. It's definitely something you have to manage proactively.
When we have snow here in central Germany, I take my mountain bike across the meadows and fields, just to enjoy the snow. Of course, I also often ride the bike for my everyday errands, but not such long distances.
I used to commute to work here in Montreal, encountered all these obstacles, I was not layering properly but I managed to stay warm enough on my 11 km round trip. Almost never wore a tuque, an insulated head band was my goto…
4:43 also it depends on the type of studded tire. i have mtb studded tire and they are amazing on ice. so much better than those city bike studded tires but yeah even those aren't perfect but they are fairly close.
I get you, I don't want to clean my bike, I never clean my car, like ever! I think if decided I need to clean my bike to ride in winter I would NEVER ride. Can't even do a quick hose down, you don't have running water in winter. In fact, the more I think about it, I have absolutely no idea how the hell can you clean your bike in winter. Do people take their bike inside? I don't want to know actually, I'll promply forget about all this. Thanks for the great video!
Hydration is a challenge for winter cycling and skiing. I use a thin hydropack over my base layer and keep the hose as close to my body as possible. It's the hose and valve that typically freezes. I'd also add that winter riding is a totally different cycling adventure and to view it that way. Let go of the reasons and sensations you pursue with cycling in warmer weather.
On the goggle front, I have been using some Kroop's 'VFR' goggles to go over my glasses. They keep my face warmer, fit over glasses, are cheap and light, don't fog up, and they are clear, which is nice for dark winter rides
as someone originally from Florida who now lives in Colorado, adjusting to winter commuting has definitely been a learning curve. This has been my first winter solely commuting by bike. Fortunately Ive found I have a pretty high tolerance for cold weather but the icy conditions in my city have been a struggle. So I don't have to bundle up too much in the 0 to -6 celsius range but my hands, feet, and eyes definitely don't have the same resistance the rest of my body does. Yes Im one of those people whose eyes get cold, which usually just amounts to them watering a lot and then the tears freezing on my face. For my cycling shoes I got some shoe covers which has been a game changer, maybe next year Ill invest in winter cycling shoes. as I said before ice has been my biggest struggle, definitely taken a few spills. Im curious about the studded tires. In my city we dont get crazy amounts of precipitation but as the city doesnt do much to maintain the roads between storms the road can stay icy for a while. im curious if studded tires are fine to ride even when there are no icy conditions? are they comfortable? do you feel a difference when riding on regular asphalt? are they worth it even if they are only occasionally beneficial?
Studded tires and lights are the only real gear I use. The studded tires took a nasty fall in my late 40s to figure out, but I did. Huge improvement. I otherwise just ride to work in my work clothes with my usual winter outerwear. It's a quick 4km that is about half on a separate trail. 12 minutes is barely long enough to get cold or hot. And yes, the snirt is NOT to be trusted ever. Ice just takes a bit of practice.
I’m not quite ready to be cycling in below freezing temps and the snow clearing in Boston but I’ll be using these tips once it’s above freezing and a bit more sunlight for in city commuting.
There's usually a bit of breathing room in the tire thickness, depending on the bike. You can probably get away with anything from 1" to 1.5", so long as it clears the frame. I have a 3.25" on the rear and a 2" on the front of my winter bike, and it hasn't caused me any issues yet!
Saying the pedestrian crossing was for cars was such a great reframe. It’s so true
Zipper armpit vents on the outermost jacket are a game changer.
Major usability hack here. It can be the difference between a full clothing change or showing up comfortably!
Agreed!
True. Hard requirement when buying jackets.
I've found that it's easier than I thought to "assert your space" on the road in the winter. Usually people in cars get (subconsciously or not) annoyed by bikes in "their" lane - but they're not stupid or a--holes either. When everyone sees the road and bike lane conditions (snow, ice) in winter times, cars keep their distance and they drive way more careful around you. Everyone actually behaves like just wanting to get from A to B _safely_ . And *be visible* on the road as a cyclist, obviously.
I found my temperature limit a week ago on my 40 minute ride to work. Forecast said -10°C so I thought I'd be fine, but I ignored the wind chill and cold front that made it feel like -25. I had ski goggles, balaclava, thick gloves, winter boots, and warm clothing. I still thought I was gonna die. Sometimes you just need to know your limit. Took the bus home that night and I'm very thankful for the bike racks on buses where I live.
However I can vouch so hard for a front studded tire. It has saved me 3 times so far. The back end will swing out, but as long as you're in control, you'll stay up.
I'll do maybe a few kilometers at -10C but not 40 minutes. At that temp with the wind chill you can feel the heat being sucked out of you.
@@CaptApril123 Yeah I was winded by the time I got to work, and my toes felt all stuck together, which is one of my least favourite sensory feelings. The mouth and nose area of my balaclava was soaking wet because of all the moisture accumulating from my heavy breathing. Overall it was Not A Great Time.
It was 11 kilometers, I do not recommend it. Don't risk your life over pride lol
@@CaptApril123I only do very short distances when the temperature is below 0C; 4 or 5 km max.
I did my ride at -30 last week and that’s pretty much the limit. I love not worrying about whether my car will start at the end of my shift though.
I discovered a new hard limit this year though when we got 8 inches of snow in 12 hours, it took me 3x as long to get home.
yessss ski googles are the best. the cold wind is the worst.
I second the ski goggles, they work very well. I have a clear pair for cloudy conditions, and also a shaded version for sunny days.
Yes they are good.
I find dressing as you would for downhill skiing or snowboarding works very well for winter biking.
@ yes it's mostly good but snowboarding pants can be a bit too warm.
Rain is the worst. When I was winter commuting last I could ride down to -15 celcius.
With wetness I often was MISERABLE at 2 or 3 degrees.
Rain being the worst as it can find any chinks in the armour - puddles from melting snow are OK if you got good neoprene show covers, I found those always more reliable than "waterproof" pants & tops.
One huge note I'd add about cars in the winter, especially after it's snowed, is that they get QUIET. My daily commute is entirely on streets (...while there is a way to get there on paths, it's 3 times as long), and after a fresh snowfall I will really find myself being snuck up on and passed by cars, not noticing them until they're within arms' reach of me. I think there are also some systemic issues, like "pass-itis", where drivers seem hell-bent on passing bikes just for the sake of passing, and this is even more of a problem in the winter. While I do assert my presence in my lane, I've had more than enough people attempt dangerous passes around me, and I often find myself pulling over if a car gets close behind me to prevent that from happening. I think you're absolutely right that riding on the roads is a bad idea, but when you do end up on roads, caution is extremely important, and a mirror is essential if you can get one.
I’m just leaving the house now for my daily commute. I’ve been good to -20C (like Monday) much thanks to this channel!
Great to hear! Enjoy the ride.
You are one tough fellow! My limit is -10C. Brrr!
-20C is about where things get less fun.
I’ve done -25-27 but my shocks freeze and everything feels crappy at that point. 😅 🥶
-20C is about as cold as I'm willing to take my commute too.
I’m not good in temps below 1c but am in uk and it’s usually windy and rainy as well as cold. I am just starting biking again at 65 so hoping by this time next year I will be better. There are not a lot of good safe bike roads where I live either. I do walk every day whatever the weather. 🇬🇧🏴
Thanks for the great video. I have cycled a lot in very cold conditions in the winter here in Norway. Studded tyres both front and back are the thing if you need to use your bike regularly in the winter months. I have ridden with a studded tyre only on my front wheel, which is fine until you have to cycle uphill on ice or snow. The only thing I would add is to recommend wearing a hi-vis reflective jacket, cars and other traffic need to see you. Cycling in -15C to-20C will always be a problem for hands and feet but shoes that are larger than normal, with room for good woollen socks are recommended. Safe cycling folks!
Love studded tires. They are lifesavers on snow and ice.
I use my bicycle for all transport. Because I'm lazy.
It's just so convenient.
PS: Toque, beanie, wool hat ... in Denmark we call the headwear a *hue* . Clearly the best word in the world haha
Haube in Austria
I bike because I'm impatient :) I hate waiting for public transit and parking.
There is a whole world of 90s, early 2000s mountain bikes for less than $300 that are waiting to be someone's winter commuter. They make great pub bikes in the summer. Once they rust out, send to metal recycling.
hate to break it to you but that is 20 years ago meaning they likely all rusted out by now
@@KILLKING110Depends on storage, I've found a few old steel frames from the 90s that are preem, minus some surface rust
@@KILLKING110 I got a Trek Mountain Track steel frame w no rust left in a garage, just the inner tubes were fused to the tires but aside from that perfect for $50.
And many of the high end ones are way more fun to ride than soulless modern commuters.
@@KILLKING110 They aren't. Also, many are aluminum and some are even carbon.
Hey Tom! Hello from Winnipeg, where it's been -30 or lower for days. I commute 13ish km's everyday in steeltoes, so it gets COLD! Something that's really helped me is Manitobah Mukluk sheepskin insoles. They're well worth the $20, actually keeping my feet almost room temperature to -30. Since you were talking about cold feet.
and wool socks!
A couple of points about clothing for cold weather riding:
- Pogies over your bars are a very good way to keep your hands warm with thinner winter gloves for better dexterity on your hands.
- A ski/snowboard helmet is warmer than a cycling helmet with a thin cap underneath for very cold weather. Get one with adjustable vents. They don't always play well with glasses or sunglasses however as they're made for goggles.
A light and competent ebike makes winter cycling fairly easy.
When living in the midwest, we had extremely cold temps which would require me to wear a full face mask (like for grinding metal) for which ebiking was good because then I'm not exhaling a bunch.
Thanks! Kudos from a winter cyclist in Minnesota USA.
To paraphrase Yosemite Sam, "Ah hates snirt!"
Heated ski gloves have been a game changer for me. They keep my whole body warmer.
Agreed. Warm fingers and toes are the key to comfort.
I've started bike commuting this past year, and your winter videos have been a huge help!
merino wool ski socks are great for keeping your feet (and legs below the knees) warm while cycling. I'm glad you suggested some ski gear for the absolute coldest conditions, I use a few cross-country pieces when winter commuting and they are great; after all they're made for winter activities!
One of my biggest problems was keeping my nose warm. During COVID 19 - I started wearing N95 masks - kept my nose very warm and I could still wear my goggles. Pogies (handlebar mitts) saved my hands. Thanks
I'd try a balaclava. Classic bank robber style with mouth and eye holes.
@gur262 I agree, I wear one under my helmet; it does everything, covers mouth, nose, ears, neck and provides an extra layer for my head. One Balaclava can replace several pieces of clothing.
Yeah I forgot those days, wearing a mask anyway and when you start riding in the cold headwind it's so cozy.
Two things, first, thanks for these kind of videos. I grew up in the southern US and was always a fairweather cyclist. After being encouraged by you, I've gotten some layers (key point!) and venture out in the cold. Total game changer.
Second....we didn't do sweat.
Good info, Tom, thank you. I'm riding more this winter than I ever have and the extent of the "winterizing" I've done to my bike, a Trek FX3, which is similar to yours in terms of intended usage, is adding fenders. I live in the Seattle-Tacoma area so the road conditions aren't generally as bad as you get in Calgary, but they can get nasty here too. I've incorporated a lot of the clothing tips you mentioned and they are indeed helpful. As a result, I've able to ride most days.
Sometimes you just have to be hardcore about it and get on the bike and go. I don't do cold as well as I used to, but I'm determined to incorporate the bike much more into my daily life. So far, it's been going pretty well. One thing you did not talk about is dealing with precipitation. Cold is one thing, but the rain puts a real damper on my desire to ride. Cheers.
Great tips. Worth repeating the point about base layers. For any activity the layer next to your skin is the key to staying warm when you go from high-output to low-output activities like riding up a hill and stopping at a traffic light. People sometimes focus on the coat and the boots and then sabotage their layering system with a cotton t-shirt and socks under everything instead of wool.
Really important to remember that there's a line between being courteous to drivers and risking your safety for the convenience of drivers. A few mildly inconvenienced drivers is a small price to pay for the safety of being seen and taking the space you need to avoid hitting road hazards or becoming one yourself. Even the year-round dangers like door zones become much more of a risk when your ability to maneuver quickly is restricted by snow and ice.
Hello from Halifax NS! I really love cycling this time of year -- thanks for getting the word out that its not as bad as you'd think.
Great video, I wish I'd seen it a few years ago when I first took up winter riding. One comment I'll add on dealing with the cold is that if being out in it for extended time is new to you, you may need to give your body time over the course of days/weeks/a season to acclimate to cold. The mental and physical responses to extremes tend towards "danger! panic!" and it takes repeated exposure to get comfortable with it. It's not just mental, your respiratory and circulatory systems cope better with the familiar than with the new.
So allow for multiple rides at the start to build up your endurance with extended sessions in the cold. Especially if a typical winter for you is climate controlled indoors -> door -> car -> door -> climate controlled indoors.
I have a helmet with a visor, I love that thing! Fits over my glasses and keeps rain and cold air out of my eyes and off of my glasses.
Ice is no problem even with regular all-terrain tires IF (and it's a big "if") you take corners INCREDIBLY slowly, the ground is pretty flat and doesn't fall away to the left or right, and you brake slowly with the rear ONLY. The bike is pretty stable on ice on flat straights.
I gave up on studded tires because they're too expensive. The noise is annoying, it's the sound of money leaving my wallet. The majority of the time it's dry pavement and if I ride on ice, make no sudden movements.
@@newttella1043 Yes, I agree. I was going to buy, but a single tire can cost $200, which is insane.
Ice riding is no problem, if everything is done gradually, and you're not sliding to the side.
The last tipisthe best! Preferred parking and feelin good after a ride
I also bike commute in the winter in Calgary and this video is awesome some super great content! Thanks! And the shwable studed bike tires are the best for the winter.
Love your content. You're doing a great service to improve biking globally.
Regarding this topic, I have decades of experience year-round mountain bike commuting in Barrie Ontario. For those unfamiliar, Barrie is southeast of Georgian Bay, therefore lots of lake effect snow. I'm now retired and living in Calgary and love it here. Here are some things that I do slightly different in the winter that might be useful to some.
- Regarding salt and sand problems for a bike. I regularly go to self-serve car washes and clean my bike up. When doing so, be very careful not to wet yourself with the mist.
- Regarding sweating, no matter the temperature, I always wear shorts under uninsulated splash pants. Initially walking out and getting on the bike is freezing but after a short period of riding my legs warm up. When I got to work I'd remove the splash pants and shorts and put on regular pants.
- Regarding ice riding. I don't switch to studded tires for winter, I switch to pedals with toe cages. Here's the technique, the front tire is constantly trying to slip out from underneath you in one direction or the other. With practice, you can quickly steer into the direction of the potential fall while simultaneously kicking the back end of the bike over with your feet to align with the new direction you're steering in. That sounds crazy but in practice it's constant, slight adjustments, perhaps multiple times a second. It takes practice but once you've got it, it's like riding a bike :)
Thankyou sir for making this informative videos about bicycles! Now I am more interested in bicycles then that pollution making bikes😊❤
Watching your videos inspired me to start cycling to work. Despite the cold, I'm sticking true to my resolution and even made it through a couple days of -45°C windchill weather. Cheers from Winterpeg.
thumbs up for not leaning! ride slow and upright and ice becomes a non issue :) one thing about priority bikes (or any other IGH), be mindful of the shifter seizing up/getting stuck during cold snaps, so leave your gear at a comfortable gear for "all" moments of your ride ;) i just came back for a ride with some longer hills and my gear was stuck at a harder gear and boy did i sweat!
I just started winter commuting on my bike this year (mainly inspired by YT channels like these). The main barrier for me in the winter is the commute time. My shortest route takes 1 hour each way on a good day. When there's decent amount of ice or snow on the ground, that can get up to 1.5 hrs. Plus being at work for 11 hours, thats hard to live with especially having a wife and young child waiting for me at home.
So getting an ebike conversion kit and a fatter studded tire on my mountain bike has been a game changer for me. I don't ride fast, but it cut my commute time to just under an hour and its constant regardless of the weather and the amount of sleep I get. Pedal assist is adjustable so I still get a good workout but I'm able to ride more often during the work week. I also look forward to snowy days now (which has been rare in Calgary this year) as it makes for a funner ride.
E-bikes can be a revelation. It's true that you get somewhat less exercise per km, but then again most people end up cycling far more kms than they would have ever dreamt of before. For commuting, where you really want reliability and a limit on travel time/sweatiness/etc., they're fantastic.
Snirt. Now I have a word for it. 😂 I live in western Washington and really the rain and darkness and people who are wholly unsupportive of cycling are my biggest concerns. I'm lit up like it's the circus. Another great vid!
I've found that using a coaster brake really helps in keeping your hands warm during colder rides. It reduces the need to rely on hand brakes, giving your fingers a break from the chill!
Cold feet tip. I put on rain covers over my boots in the cold weather and it helps trap heat inside my boots as well as prevent cold winds from coming in.
Sometimes, just crossing the street makes a big difference. East-west streets may be covered in ice on the south side due to permanent shade; the north side may get enough sunshine to be ice free. Wider tires and dropping the pressure a bit seem to help. As for keeping warm, I've got lobster gloves for the coldest days. And this year I discovered Uniqlo Heat Tech which I'm now covered in from head to toe. Layering is key!
Been riding year round since 2019 in all weather and snow conditions. Late last summer I decided I was going to try something a little different to deal with the ice & snirt, an etrike! Put studded tires on it and even built a snow plough... just waiting for a decent snowfall to put it to the test. Etrikes are amazingly stable and i'm amazed at how much they can carry.
Loved the haiku 😂
Slowly inspiring me to start riding in winter... Awesome stuff as always Tom!!
excellent and timely primer on winter cycling. for people like me with perpetual cold hands and toes,.. it maybe your sweat glands. evaporation of sweat draws heat from your body. experiment with latex surgical gloves, moisture wicking layers, a change of socks or antiperspirant. Thanks!
I genuinely enjoy winter cycling, I wish more people would give it a go
Layering is good to keep comfortable in varying conditions, I always have a very light hi vis vest as my outer most layer, so no matter what i wear underneath I'm always as visible as possible.
Excellent. I find that “lobster “ gloves are the best for my hands. Thanks friend your films
You can also use some warm overshoes with your regular clipless summer shoes instead of having separate winter shoes for cycling.
Not all overshoes work due to sizing and zipper issues (they break easily or tight fitting.)
so Ski boots?
@@IowaNinersFan WHAT ABOUT SKI BOOTS
I love sharing your winter riding stories. Riding mindfully is key. I wear helmet and use a thin wool beanie but the helmet has a wind/waterproof cover. I wear hiking shoes that have breathable liner, like GTX, and have better traction if you have to hike-a-bike. I built a winter specific bike with an Alfine 8 speed IDH, that is great but it will struggle to shift sometimes when cold soaked -10c and below. Yes, I did service it this fall with a cleaning and new Shimano grease after three winters. I am in NE Wyoming with a climate very similar to Calgary.
Grande Prairie, and the way the MUPs are done there are big snow piles on either side of the trail, so the freeze/thaw/melt cycle means it's sheer ice for much of the winter. The studded tires, on both my electric fat bike and my winter pedal bike, are a god send. I studded the fat tires myself so I've got a few more studs than the retail ones and they grip even the hills really well. I'm a huge chicken when it comes to winter riding so they are a comfort as well.
AHH YESIce in the Winter Mud in Spring,
Thank you I love your videos I’m an ebike cyclist and I prefure cycling over cars and also unlike Tom heated jacket heated gloves and heated shoes and socks too that’s my key to winter survival as a cyclist
I find that my preferred method for my hands is putting hand warmers in my mittens. I've even put some in my boots to keep my toes warm.
My biggest problem is definitely the cars on my commute. I don't have protected bike lanes on my route and the non-shoveled painted bike lanes are also making it horrible.
Last year I did a combo transit/bike ride while roads weren't great, but this year transit has a horrendously unreliable schedule due to repairs and slow zones 😭.
I definitely try on warmer/ less snowy days though!
Third winter winter biking and I'm really thankful for pogies (bar mitts)! -30C and just a light pair of gloves. With studded tires I can take the same route all year round and not have to deal with cars at all. Great video!
Bar mitts and studs are a game changer 👍
Commuting in Thessaloniki has cars to deal with and bad surfaces. It is not so cold but it is a survival thing. Great channel! Thank you!
Greetings from a fellow winter rider. :-)
not too difficult to learn to bike uphill in snow and ice but usually i use my foot going downhill kinda like skiing, also learn to recover/drop the bike if necessary. if she's going down you don't have to. started with ebikes two years ago but now pretty only much acoustic bikes. this channel was helpful for normalizing winter, thank you. studded tire for all roads that have mostly ice, and your eyes will adjust to winter after like 30 hours so the pain does go away if you're active. you're going to be slower than you expect but it'll work out
We're in NoCo, and have so much cycling here that I think you occluded us from your survey bc it seems unbelievable.
I'm really impressed with how many people here still brave the cold to cycle. The conditions are pretty much identical to this video, but the altitude gives more temp variety throughout the days. So ice mostly melts in a couple days.
Tbh, we skip the snow and ice cycling, and just stay home. We still went out last weekend, and will probably get out next week. Fortunately, WFH allows us to make those decisions.
Sometimes I do fantasize about working somewhere in town and getting a fat-bike for the ~15 days/year you'd actually need it.
With the right clothes, like you mentioned, long-johns and layers...you get too warm halfway to the brewery! That's at ~40° F, but I can imagine pushing it down to 20° if we used balaclavas.
It's a conversation starter, when people want to congratulate you for biking. (Best reasons to wear helmet are the intercom/bluetooth and to signal to businesses you biked)
There's a debate around how much a right we have to be lazy and justify driving because it's chilly outside.
Sweet winter ride and advices. 🙂
4:13 that’s a low fence for a freeway overcrossing. I’m used to high fences if not a tube-fence.
Mittens is what I need! Been suffering too long with the five fingered gloves. Thanks for all the tips!
I use leather work mitts with wool liners, wind proof.
TYSM for the good info! As for riding in winter, I just use my beater MTB. It's well maintained and in good shape, but I got it used with some scratches. I don't have a sentimental attachments to the bike, so if salt eats it up, that's no problem.
I used to use old MTBs for the winter commute. What rusted solid were the fasteners & cables; after a winter, I couldn't adjust anything. I've used a Dutch bike for the past 14 years - aside from the chain, no real corrosion problems.
@@gordonlbelyea4409 well, it's a DUTCH bike! I reckon that they're built not to be a toy, but a useful tool.
I've got thin fall and spring gloves which have good dexterity, and over them I wear convertible mittens which I can flip open when I need dexterity or to use a touch screen, and flip closed when riding. They're serving me well so far while riding in -15c
Good idea; I wear thin liner gloves inside mittens with a hand warmer inside the mittens. Works perfectly.
I also hate "snirt", but I always call it peanut butter snow, as it looks a bit like patches of peanut butter when it forms, and also is what I imagine it would feel like to ride a bike on peanut butter. Great video, from a winter cyclist in manitoba! Coldest ride so far this year was -36C with a windchill of -46C! Definitely need a few more layers than you have for -4 lol
Bike mits are really helpful to key your hands warm below minus 5. They attach to the handle bars and you put your hand in them (you still need gloves but they really help when its minus a lot)
I use an insulated bottle in winter (Elite DeBoyo), I put hot blackcurrant squash in it mostly, sometimes hot sweet tea. I don’t like drinking cold drinks when it is cold outside.
In the UK, I will plan a route using gritted roads where there is less chance of ice. Rural bus routes get gritted over here.
Watching you ride over ice while steering with one hand had me white knuckling my phone 😬
I use 26x2.15 MTB tires that I hand-studded and ice has _never_ been a problem. Regarding snirt and brown sugar (thick, loose, dirty snow over packed snow/ice) I completely agree that it's the absolute worst. Try to pick the best line, don't accelerate, and let the bike go where it wants to go. Keep in mind that the gyroscopic force is on your side. Above 15 km/h, your bike wants to stay upright, so keep your upper body loose and let it. Another thing I found that really helps on loose surfaces is to use a lower gear. The faster you pedal, the easier it is to keep your balance and react to slippage. Also, like Tom said, rinse your bike, but do it no matter what material it's made of. Even high quality aluminum frames oxidize and deteriorate in the presence of wet salt.
Thanks for sharing your learned experiences. I'm in west Michigan and this is Lake Effect snow area. We get snow...much more snow. Sometimes everyday. I spent 15 years commuting by bike. I'd add the following to your great video: I learned to ride a fixed gear and found it superior for speed control, balance and bike control. I too like Mitts and the Overmitt style goes over gloves like you were riding with! Plus good full fenders really keep the rider dry/clean.
I just started doing it this winter in Minnesota and it's a lot easier than I expected. I haven't even needed the studded tires! So far so good!
THAT depends Which part..
Very good recommendations. I'll add to the ice recommendations that riders should avoid the sides of deep ruts in ice, which can cause even studded tires to slide side to side. Deep ruts can be caused by car tire tracks, footprints, or plows.
It was -5F the other day in Denver. That's too cold for me to ride. Keep your damn Canadian air in Canada! LOL.
It was -15F yesterday morning in Des Moines. I was on my bike to work and back. My coworkers think I'm nuts.
Never heard the word snert before, but I know just the kind you're talking about. Wider offroad tyres handle it better, but it's still unpredictable.
The slipperiest surface known to mankind is a cold, dry layer of polished ice, with a thin layer of fresh new snow on top. It has negative friction, it will make you fall even if you're perfectly balanced. Studs will sometimes not penetrate the snow down to the ice. The only real solution is avoiding it. Or ride a tricycle. You'll still slide, but at least you won't fall over.
Studded tyres front and back obvously are far better than just in the front when you ride on ice, in turns and on hills. Wider tyres with more studs contacting the ice grip better and allows more leaning and braking, but you still need to be careful of course.
Ground rule: Studs are for ice, knobs are for snow. If you ride on both, you need both. A good winter MTB tyre is ideal for grip, but will be noisier on bare asphalt.
If it's too slick in places and you have to walk, you'd better have studs for your shoes too, or you'll find walking harder than biking.
Mirrors make riding on the road safer. You can react quicker when a driver tries something stupid, and shepherd the drivers to avoid danger. Example: When drivers are approaching from both directions, take the lane early, so the driver approaching from the back doesn't try overtaking until the driver in front has passed.
Cold feet are a real problem for some people, and the biggest of ice-fishing boots may not be enough. Chemical or electric toe warmers help though. As for the hands, bar mitts can solve most of that problem.
I've only reached my limit for winter biking once, at minus 22C. There was no way I could keep my feet warm, nor keeping my goggles fog free. Your kilometerage may vary. Good riding!
Spot on! Awesome video
Good points all ‘round!
-6 F this AM 15 miles to work 🥶. All good
Damn that's impressive. Well done!
I think my cutoff is in the 20s but possibly because I don't wear a face mask and my face hurts lol
5:00 Can confirm about leaning, had an accident in black ice at the start of December and my shoulder is still a bit sore
I hit a spot and landed on my knee last week. Still sore for me too. And this was in Texas of all places.
In addition to your video, I'd like to mention to use the scarf to cover your lower jaw and cheeks. There is a big nerve that runs to your lower teeth. If that gets cold, you feel miserable all over. (It's the nerve your dentist numbs to do oral surgery. )
I'd also recommend wearing highly reflective, bright clothing when winter riding. I wear a safety vest. The low light, low grey clouds, plus snow and salt covered streets and sidewalks, makes it hard for drivers to see you.
Also I now have two rear lights, set to flash or pulse. It feels much safer knowing car drivers can better see me.
thanks for the winter tips
We have one of those twisting switchback highway pedestrian crossing. Love having throttle e-bike on it. Doing acoustic biking this winter and having to fine tune my layering. Have a yellow rain cover on my helmet and it cuts the breeze so well that I haven’t needed to wear my snowboarding helmet.
This is my 2nd season winter cycling. I use 2 studded tires, one winter jacket, long-johns, tuque, neck scarf, regular winter boots and gloves. When it gets to -15C and below, I'll put on a ski-mask to help me poor face. Other than that, I follow pretty much all your advice. Thanks! :)
On busy "narrow" (due to snow) road, I will cross a light and then stop, wait for it to turn red, at which point I have about 20-30 secnds of the road to myself and can ride in the clear middle before the next batch of cars catches up with me at which poimt I ditch into the snow and wait it out.
If I know there are car(s) behind me or coming, I will stop at a stop sign and let the pass, This way, I can ride in the clear part of the ard and get to destination faster. Either way, riding in winter is always slower.
Ruts in the ice can push your front wheel sideways. If you can't follow them straight on (hard and dangerous), avoid or cross them at a wider angle. Slippery conditions can be practised and a lowered seat feels safer. Snow dampens noise, so it's harder to hear cars behind you. Road salt is the main reason I don't bike much in winter. I use a singlespeed beater bike and change the rusty chain in spring.
Very thorough overview, especially for those under age 60.
Many of us that are older (over-60), love riding our bikes year around for exercise and enjoyment, but also because we have downsized our car ownership. Those living on retirement may have spent our lives with two or more cars, but find one car sits unused most of the time, after we retire. My wife and I have lived with one car for 5 years now - and with our bikes, it works great.
However, many of us older riders get cold much easier. For example, at 32 F or 0 C, I'd have on much, much warmer footwear, gloves, neckwear, etc. than what you were showing. I'd have the peel & stick toe warmer packs in my mid-height, gtx, winter, hiking boots, and hand warmer packs in 3 or 4-finger winter bike gloves. Just like you showed, I'd have several layers, although I find I much prefer merino wool over synthetic base layers. (I find that merino wool lasts 2 or 3 times longer than synthetic clothing and is comfortable over a broader range of temperatures.) I'd have a heavy wool neck buff/gaiter, and a thin skull cap under my helmet. With my cycling eyewear (yes, with progressive Rx lenses!), I'd basically not have any bare skin exposed. Just like you show, our city plowing is spotty, and we have a lot of ice on the roads. So we do ride with studded fat tires on lowered pressure and with e-assist. Sweat is a non-issue for us with e-assist.
After recently becoming "car-lite" (downsizing to 1 car), I can relate to your experience. I also use some of the tips that you mentioned: Putting hand warmers inside mittens and boots , ski goggles, balaclava....
And a puffy winter coat as my outer layer...
And e-assist. Best investment ever.
Shifter: you live in a rich, civilized country, where they remove the snow from the roads, sidewalks, and bike lanes,
Heck, you are lucky to have bike lanes
OTOH if you live where I do (Poland), the situation is quite different. Riding in winter = riding on icy sidewalks, or risking your life on icy roads.
You're very right about walking some difficult sections rather than trying to ride through them. Another advice I've found useful from bike tourists: when your feet ged cold, your boots frozen through, walking for some time helps a lot, until blood circulation in the feet warms them, it also hepls with frozen hands.
Still, winter cycling is a bit extreme, it's not for everyone. It has an element of voluntarily accepting some suffering from weather conditions. Knowing that I won't be comfortable, I have to bear it, and I go for it. And I've come to belive I need a separate winter commuter bike, a single speed or even a fixed gear at a low gear. An SS or FG requires minimum maintenance. What you have to do with the bike after each ride, to remove the ice and snow and salty dirt before you put it in a warm place to dry, is a bit of a problem. This part is much easier with FG/SS. But first one should find his acceptable gear for winter, for which one needs a multispeed bike of course. As soon as I'm sure I'd be OK with 42/18 (or 38/18 or something) through all my winter conditions, I can go SS or FG, if the frame allows it. Unfortunately, the bike industry never sells what is good for riding, it sells what will break or deteriorade soon, to make you buy more stuff.
There are lots of practical, battery-powered, heated gloves, mitts and socks to chose from.
the reason gloves are cold is because they isolate your fingers. What I do is wear very thin utility gloves on the inside to break the wind and prevent moisture evaporation, and then wear socks or anything mitten-like on the outside. Most mittens have thumbs, which is a complete mistake. I leave the outer mitten/sock layer on my bike and take the small vapor barrier gloves with me in my pocket. By using thinner gloves the heat can still conduct between your fingers to keep them warm, but you get rid of convection and evaporation.
Using the two layers makes it easier to thermoregulate, and I frequently warm my hand on my face, neck, chest, back or arm pits(I got these tips watching Quentin from ReWildU). The thin gloves mean I can warm my hands without taking them off. It is better to have your hands a little bit cold than to be sweating. If you have thick gloves they are actually warmer if you only wear them halfway on over the fingertips like a mitten and don't put your hands into the finger slots. Wearing the gloves halfway also lets you thermoregulate. It's definitely something you have to manage proactively.
Great tips. I also wear a liner glove with mittens as an outer layer. I also put a hand warmer inside the tip of my mittens.
When we have snow here in central Germany, I take my mountain bike across the meadows and fields, just to enjoy the snow. Of course, I also often ride the bike for my everyday errands, but not such long distances.
A couple of weeks ago I went from bolt upright to upside down on black ice, zero friction in that stuff, I was going really slowly as well.
I used to commute to work here in Montreal, encountered all these obstacles, I was not layering properly but I managed to stay warm enough on my 11 km round trip.
Almost never wore a tuque, an insulated head band was my goto…
I added heated gloves this winter, certainly a game changer. In Calgary as well, ride comfortably to about -10°C
4:43 also it depends on the type of studded tire. i have mtb studded tire and they are amazing on ice. so much better than those city bike studded tires but yeah even those aren't perfect but they are fairly close.
I get you, I don't want to clean my bike, I never clean my car, like ever! I think if decided I need to clean my bike to ride in winter I would NEVER ride. Can't even do a quick hose down, you don't have running water in winter. In fact, the more I think about it, I have absolutely no idea how the hell can you clean your bike in winter. Do people take their bike inside? I don't want to know actually, I'll promply forget about all this. Thanks for the great video!
Put some chunky tires on my road bike. It’s so fun to ride in the snow with them.
I agree. It's like riding on gravel except it's snow and ice.
Hydration is a challenge for winter cycling and skiing. I use a thin hydropack over my base layer and keep the hose as close to my body as possible. It's the hose and valve that typically freezes. I'd also add that winter riding is a totally different cycling adventure and to view it that way. Let go of the reasons and sensations you pursue with cycling in warmer weather.
On the goggle front, I have been using some Kroop's 'VFR' goggles to go over my glasses. They keep my face warmer, fit over glasses, are cheap and light, don't fog up, and they are clear, which is nice for dark winter rides
New Bike Day yesterday, -30 with windchill today, neoprene bars mitts for me today!!
as someone originally from Florida who now lives in Colorado, adjusting to winter commuting has definitely been a learning curve. This has been my first winter solely commuting by bike. Fortunately Ive found I have a pretty high tolerance for cold weather but the icy conditions in my city have been a struggle. So I don't have to bundle up too much in the 0 to -6 celsius range but my hands, feet, and eyes definitely don't have the same resistance the rest of my body does. Yes Im one of those people whose eyes get cold, which usually just amounts to them watering a lot and then the tears freezing on my face. For my cycling shoes I got some shoe covers which has been a game changer, maybe next year Ill invest in winter cycling shoes. as I said before ice has been my biggest struggle, definitely taken a few spills. Im curious about the studded tires. In my city we dont get crazy amounts of precipitation but as the city doesnt do much to maintain the roads between storms the road can stay icy for a while. im curious if studded tires are fine to ride even when there are no icy conditions? are they comfortable? do you feel a difference when riding on regular asphalt? are they worth it even if they are only occasionally beneficial?
Studded tires and lights are the only real gear I use. The studded tires took a nasty fall in my late 40s to figure out, but I did. Huge improvement. I otherwise just ride to work in my work clothes with my usual winter outerwear. It's a quick 4km that is about half on a separate trail. 12 minutes is barely long enough to get cold or hot. And yes, the snirt is NOT to be trusted ever. Ice just takes a bit of practice.
I’m not quite ready to be cycling in below freezing temps and the snow clearing in Boston but I’ll be using these tips once it’s above freezing and a bit more sunlight for in city commuting.
What I need is winter tires for my bike's 26" x 1 3/8" wheels. I haven't managed to source any 😢
There's usually a bit of breathing room in the tire thickness, depending on the bike. You can probably get away with anything from 1" to 1.5", so long as it clears the frame. I have a 3.25" on the rear and a 2" on the front of my winter bike, and it hasn't caused me any issues yet!
Looking for a cheap old mountain bike for rougher sections of my commute! Been loving when I can take my road bike out in the meanwhile
I find that a well made keffiyeh keeps your head, face, and neck warm just with this one garment
BOOOOP