winter riding tips and tricks
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- Опубликовано: 14 янв 2024
- for folks who winter in the 20-40 degree F climes, coach Ronnie shares titillating knowledge regarding how to stay mentally and physically fit by riding your bicycle outside through the winter. Clothing, gear tips, and occasional fart joke.
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"You're going to be a better version of youself for your family and loved ones" Preach. Riding more replaced spending time at the bar and I couldn't agree more. Thanks for everything you do.
I live in Minnesota. My local bike shop does a regular meet-up called "Coffee Outside." This last weekend it was -7F and we still met up to hang out and talk for an hour. Winter cycling at 39F seems hard until the first 29F day when you start to come face to face with the cold. From there it's all down hill and you really start to say to things like "Oh, it 4F! That feels so much warmer than -7F."
the gold standard million dollar nuggets without a rash videooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh
I love these videos, absolute remedy to the majority of cycling content out there.
The worst part about dec and jan isn't the cold but the lack of sunlight. Once we get into mid-feb, there's a lot more sunlight in the afternoon which I'm looking forward to.
When the suspenders came out I knew I was witnessing the pinnacle of cycling tech here! Tidings, Ronnie & Arya!
40F? That's considered shorts weather here in Montreal. I reckon it's all relative. Good call on the wool. Only thing I would add is it's nice to have a front zipper on each layer even the base merino shirt that you can open to stave off the sweat.
your a couple of well seasons two wheeled profession al beings pure as the morning snow🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
been cycling for 40 years....this dude is classic.
Watching this as my beard thaws from a properly cold night ride. Timely. For city commuters, this is what I use
- thick wool socks under goretex boots
- joggers under down pants
- thermal top, a quality hoody, and a down jacket
- wool beanie
- My snowboarding mittens (free index finger for brakes)
- shower cap for the leather saddle
- Realm 139 front rack bag (insulated to keep burritos warm)
I find putting my money into quality commuter parts keeps me riding in any weather. I did clipless pedals last winter and it sucked. I'm a platform pedal guy all winter.
By far the best most practical winter cycling guide I’ve seen yet!
Oh yeah baby ❤
Your videos warm my cockles in these cold days and funny that you said talking about the weather should be more than small talk ,here in England its an art form ,we have sooo many variations of words to describe certain weather characteristics .
Cultivates the stoke to make me want to ride ,thanks man,love ya x
A poet, scientist and engineer all rolled up in one
Dang Ronnie, those are some epic roads you have to ride on in CT, makes the winter dressing ritual all the more worth it. I ride in Los Angeles and we have months of early morning rides down to low 40s.
"Donner Party Situation" -- your first memorable line of 2024. It's -16'F. in Midwest. Will have to hold off on tips and tricks until things improve. The produce bag was inspired, especially when you put it back in the 'fridge.🤣
Thanks from Crimea
I commuted year round by bike for 7 years straight, in central Canada. I didn't find it to be too difficult in the winter. No cycling-specific clothing. The only winter-specific bike gear I used was a studded front tire, and I'm not sure that was necessary. On the coldest days, I wore a winter parka, ski gloves, insulated snow pants, and a thin winter ski mask under my helmet.
Great vid + great advice. It’s hard to get the motivation to go ride when it’s mega cold but here you are keepin the stoke alive.
My favorite winter bike is my 1962ish Murray Space Liner. Chrome frame, coaster brake, with 26" mountain bike tires on aluminum rims. If you haven't rode a single speed, coaster brake bike since you were a kid you are missing out. Mine is set up in the old "clunker" style of the original mountain bikes, very similar to the Swamp Racers we made as kids in the early 70s before the advent of BMX. Thanks Ronnie, you're a handsome devil and an inspiration to bicyclists across the globe.
Post Script: I ride mostly in the urban areas of St.Paul, Minnesota, hard packed snow and some ice. I've never used studded tires, but I can see the value of staying pointed in the direction of travel. I dress lightly as I would for Nordic skiing, activity being the key to staying warm.
Ronny,
this video just made me feel happy throughout the day and I will for sure rewatch it many times. The light and surroundings, also the given infos just blend so beautiful together. Thank you.❤
Excellent tips! Thanks for keeping things practical.
Howdy from Kamloops BC. It's been about -20 ish here for the past few days. I don't ride much in the winter here but before Christmas I rode to work and co-workers called me crazy. But I love it. I also swear by wool and leather and down. My favorite materials. I stopped wearing synthetics a long time ago.
Great video. Thanks Ronnie.
Also, nice Les Staud reference.
Great tips for cold rides. Thank you Ronnie
This is remarkably helpful. Thanks!
Dude, i moved from CT to AL 3 years ago and last week was icebound for a week! temps in the teens to low 30s. GEESH! But today its gonna be 60 but rainy all week. Anyways just want to say you stoked me on riding my bike more. Your comment- "its the closest thing to flying" immediately brought me back to my teen to early adult hood where all i did was ride. I miss it so and go intimidated by all the guys my age riding the "tech" gravel- full suspension $1000 and UP bikes around my area when i have my good ol Raliegh thats cobbles toghter from 3 pervious bilkes i had. I LOVE it and its a memoriam to my old Friend Chris from Chris; Spoke andWheel in BPT CT. Gonna get out and ride so much more now!
Thanks for the stoke, friend.
Your videos are great Ron! They are both informative and entertaining. I am a Zwift user but at times I dread another ride to nowhere from my basement. You've got me thinking about riding more outside in the winter at least until the snow flies.
alarmingly informative turbocharging sophisticated prescient timelessly wonderful
You’re definitely radiating Ronnie. Timely and entertaining video! Will have to watch a second time to take a few notes. I’m in the mountains of western NC. Been frigid here recently. Went on an atb ride this afternoon, temp was 22 F, felt like 8 F. Was mostly warm enough with my winter gear, toes got a little cold towards the end.
Always the best from the best!
The man the myth the legend!
Yeah Ronnie! I usually don’t watch videos longer than 5 minutes, but I could watch an hour of this. I have been doing some 35 degree dark rides here in Phoenix, AZ-6am start. That’s about the coldest it’ll get here. I haven’t tried any wool yet, but now might give it a go. That light your using looks really good too.
Happy Winter riding to you too Ron. Thanks for the encouragement and content!
Love your quirky sense of humor and charming unique view on cycling
LOVE YOU RON !
love the winter hammock action!
that stack of dry timber is enough for one Connecticut winter to see you through and keep your buns in shape
Great video, thank you!
Really enjoyed this one, as always Ron. Thanks man!
Love winter cycling. I feel this way about cycling in bad weather too, there's something really nice about existing outside in awful conditions and being totally comfortable and warm and dry inside of your layers. A car drives by and splashes freezing cold slush water all up your leg? Literally imperceptible from inside your gortex woolen fortress. The really big thing that helped for me was getting completely waterproof footwear. Not overboots, not "waterproof" coated sneakers or boots but like actual completely sealed PVC, like you're going into the cranberry bog type shit boots. Those with rainpants that fit snugly over them and a good rain jacket really do make you impervious to the elements.
The Swedes have a saying, "there's no bad weather, only bad clothes," (it sort of rhymes in Swedish: det finns ingen dålig väder bara dålig kläder). Love these videos - thank you! I am more of a commuter cyclist (year round, in Sweden).
Ron would argue this dropped at the perfect time as we enter our first plunge of cold weather here in NC 18° lows
I trust folks who work outside and fishermen know cold !!! The suspenders were over the top best hack ever ! Thx
I just love these.
It’s almost 50f here in Wisconsin but tomorrow is looking like 24 and dusting of snow. I just got back in from a quick trail crawl with my 98 giant rincon full ridged. My ass took a good pounding out there. First ride of the year! Great videos thank you for doing them.
Great video
Some useful tips and really wonderful country for riding
The thought process behind the ride prep in this video is the best. My conditions along the Central Rockies and Northern Plains US winter winds are worst enemy of winter recreational riding. In town, it is navigating ice and snirt, dirt snow pack. I shamelessly borrow from my snowshoe and Nordic kit except shoes. Plus dedicated winter bike for the most treacherous weeks.
Been riding to work everyday this winter and you really do get used to the temps. Merino skins are fantastic, doubling up on the bottom is a great idea i haven't thought to try. cheers ron, Thanks for the tips!
Brilliant and the little jokes make it quaint and cool! Keep on peddling!
You would love it in England, all we talk about is the weather.
How refreshing! Thanks
snifffing snowcones all day !! great vid great info - inspiring as always 🎄❤🔥❤🔥
Man allot of useful tips. From the nitecore headlamp and the wool and leather shammy which I didn’t know is still a thing and the stomp box shoes! Got to buy some of those!
Thanks for making videos, Ronnie. 🙂
same
Loved this! Here in sunny San Diego we don't really have a winter, and sometimes I forget that 60 degrees midday is really not cold compared to everywhere else lol. This motivated to get out and do more evening rides with my bike light. Definitely looking forward to Spring though. Nothing beats the flowers, green grass, and chirping of birds.
Went on a ride with my summer lycra kit during spring break in San Diego in March (coming from Michigan). Everyone eas looking at me like I was gonna die of frostbite.
Firewood for days! Love the little Jotul stove.
Hey Ron, here in Québec we have snow in a good amount! I ride my Bullitt cargobike set with winter tires, fenders, I also wear hot layers, not too much indeed. Good mits, a thin beanie under the helmet and good but not bulky winter boots. Thank your for this video! Stay safe man!
My winter bike tip is as you did, same amount of wool layers on the legs as on the core. Keeps the feet warm too.
Great video- made me nostalgic as I grew up 80 miles or so N.W. of you.. We rode our bikes until the snow got too deep .Nothing like the adolescent metabolism furnace to keep you warm. Oh, and a plus one on the buckskin gloves - they work and work well at colder temperatures than you’d think given their thickness.
I love it , and just when i thought i was done with the wood for my first season with it , your inspiring sir thank you for the great tips , that are not just about us spending money
Great video!
Hey Ron. Just in the process of surviving Dutch winter. Now after 5 weeks of constatnt rain and two weeks of frost came some dark ice🎉
i love you, ron
15F, sunny and no wind is my favorite winter riding temp. agree sweat management is what the battle is all about.
Bravo Ron. I have an Icelandic jumper and it’s true what you say about its beading, breathing and insulation properties. In fact I’ve started to think that the whole waterproof/windproof membrane thing is based on flawed assumptions. I’ve been wearing good old fleece proofed with nikwax and unless it’s royally tipping down it works fine. The most important layer is next to the skin and that should always be wool.
Do you find that sweater good in light rain, etc.?
Having done years of year round bicycle commuting in the Minneapolis area, I kinda get a kick out of the amount of gear time and energy going into a 40 degree ride, but admit I picked up a few decent new ideas! I apreciat all the natural fibers used, dispite my not having done the same, mostly outnof ignorance and lack of common availabilty. My gear was not nearly as well thought out but goes to show that a lot of things can work, as long as you are moving. I think thats the biggest thing, while sedentary you sometimes think "no way woukd I want to be cycling today" but once your body is working, its a whole different experience, and feels great, you just have to get started. What worked for me down to around 0°F was my standard everyday cycling jeans (swrve) some full grain leather ems type boots (not insulated but goretex lined), a synthetic blend thermal knit long sleeve shirt over my white cotton undershirt, under my swrve milwaukee jacket. A good hat, and whatever gloves I was using at the time. Below zero I would switch to heavier wind blocker mittens, (hardware store ice fishing mitttens) and would add a vest under the jacket. Below like -15 i wiokd add long underwear under the jeans and maybe swap the beanie out for a bomber hat and a add a kneck gater. You know, I think the roads seem to roll a lot faster below -30!
Great info thanks
Thanks for sharing, you’re definitely radiating
Hello from the PNW. All I gotta say is: Wool, Wool, Wool, Wool!
Love that stone tunnel
Thanks Ron, great tips and motivation, did not expect the bread bag on feet tech to make an appearance, a Canadian classic 👍
It's been so nice here in Canada up into January. Been riding more than I ever have into the fall. It's such a mental relief from the typical snow in October until May. Any extra day on the bike in the winter months feels like such a bonus. Ride that feel good wave one extra day closer to easy going spring 😎
Still riding? That's pretty hardcore! I just got home to Wackofornia. I was in Denver for a long weekend. I've never seen weather that cold in 62 years! I attempted to ride at -2 degrees in the sun shine for about 30 minutes. I wore ski gear and it was miserable. Vegetable bags for your feet are an ages old trick, but your feet may become an ice cold swamp.
We went on lots of family trips every winter skiing near Lake Tahoe. We always went skiing even if it was raining at the bottom. We'd bring large Glad bags and tear 3 holes in them. Worked great if you could tolerate the miserable lift ride.
Later as a broke student, we'd go out on the most miserable days to get our fix. The lift operators wouldn't even come out of their huts to check your ticket, so we didn't need to buy one!
i live in southeast asia idk why i'm watching this
😅
That rug looks great
I keep metal fenders installed on all my bikes but the El Mariachi.
A Fargo, two steel 26"Rockoppers and even my Bike Friday NWT. With the right clearance between tire and fender never had problems with sticks. When it's too muddy I stay home (hate mud) and in snow season I leave the bikes in the garage and I grab my skis (love snow).
Great vid, entertaining AND informative! We share a few of the habits you described on that winter riding front. I'm going to have to check out those buckskin gloves as accessories soon. Also, as an ex-Connecticut resident, that looked like Devils Hopyard in the last scene.
haha, good eye! lucky to live one Connecticut hill away from the Hopyard
Hey Ron great video been by your house many times i’ve written on all the roads you have in the video live on the other side of the Devils hop yard we have a lot of the same friends, but have never met next time I ride by maybe I’ll stop in
Cheers from VT!
Hi Ron you give off a good vibe, subscribed 😂
All this talk of better sound equipment left me missing the bird sounds. And then came the Red-Tailed Hawk
Ronnie we love you
I highly recommend Brynje wool base layers. I haven’t found anything close to matching their warmth and breathability, plus it’s a great excuse to wear mesh clothing.
Dont forget windstop vest aka Gilet people!
Had to replace my Nightcore headlamp on a long ride and ended up with a pretty good one, a Coast brand with the tail light on the back. It's actually been useful because it charges all at once, it's variable up to being really bright and there's an extendable add on battery I'll eventually purchase for overnighters.
Thanks for the insightful video Ron! Straight to my "gems" folder.
How can I get my hands on one of those sweaters? I could only find the traditional icelandic/nordic ones that look like christmas sweaters... and while I personally wouldn't mind it, I still think I could squeeze out some extra style points here!
My simple hack for winter riding is to just put some clear shipping (packaging?) tape across the vents in the front of the helmet. I put it on in the fall and remove it in the spring. Not having cold air flowing over your head makes a huge difference. The vents on the top and back can be left alone. Also, handlebar pogies like "Bar Mitts" make my around-town biking a lot easier since I don't need gloves at all until it gets down below 35 degrees and, when it gets colder, I can just use a thinner glove which makes shifting easier. Finally, don't forget to wear brighter colors so the cars don't kill you.
Nice to see we're all just wearing the same stuff as the rest of the year, only just a bit more of it!
I love this! With all the bad going on in this world its so nice to see this
Man, I can smell that crispy CT/Hudson Valley air from here. I miss the icicles in my noze hairs and the deer ticks on my nads.
Nothing better than a Nitecore. Production is off the charts on this one Ronathan, you should be very proud! Keep em coming!
great videa
first let me say: i love these videos! you have such an affable personality which is a relief from most of the content-driven stuff on youtube these days. i didn’t feel like you were trying to sell me something the entire time (except for natural fibers, you must be in the pocket of Big Sheep). Even tho you did mention several of your own products, it’s clear you use them because you like them and make no bones about them being the only option out there.
one thing i’ve been learning about myself. i’m super on board with wool as the premium technical textile. during the 2020 lockdowns and my unemployment I rode around seattle every day in some form of pendleton flannel or wool sweater or base layer. but as i approach 5 years from having lived in Phoenix my body has pretty well acclimated to PNW temperatures. and I can no longer dress as you do in this video for anything over 30. not to mention the abundance of hills around here make it nearly impossible to not overheat.
I’m curious about that icelandic wool. do you have any sources you recommend? i have a woolrich sweater that’s 100% virgin wool but no clue the origin of the wool. it’s definitely too hot too wear for any kind of spirited bike riding, but i love the idea of wool as a technical outer layer. it’s such a stylish look and an easy garment to maintain. would you say the icelandic stuff truly breathes better? i wonder if im better off with a mid weight merino for my outer layer, tho those icebreaker type brands look way too cheesy and REI most of the time.
oh, i want to give a shoutout to Anian flannels. they offer several different styles in various weights of wool in a much nicer cut than pendletons tend to be. i love the Berlino wool shirt for 40s-50s temps and the Modern Melton is good for 25-40
ill have to check out some anian flannel for sure. I get the majority of my sweaters off eBay --- the majority of everything I buy is off eBay come to think of it!
@@ultraromancea man after my own heart
"Big Sheep" - that tickled me. I'll bet the Natural Colored Wool Growers Assn. would jump on that term and offer Ultraromance an endorsement deal to make Lael's head spin.
100% Merino wool sock luxury nice vid ron
So many good comments. Couldn’t agree more with the practicality and knowledge of your approach to cycling and gear. Speaking of gear, where did you get that sweet vest?
the gold standard
Very nice 😊
Winter riding is cool 😎
Haha funny that you mention the donner party, I was just riding along the truckee river not far from donner pass enjoying the snow and cold weather. Luckily I have a van to take me home when I’m done outsiding
those Donners sure knew how to party! lol
I like that the bike is my only way to get to work, I *have to* ride all year round and I think it does great things with my health, mental and physical.
I rock jeans, a jacket with one or two sweaters under it and rain pants in case it's that time. Ortlieb bags keep my stuff dry.
Also my drivetrain of choice is a belt drive with an Alfine hub cuz chains go crunchy every week with wet Belgian weather. Full length fenders too.
I feel like you could get a 1st generation Surly Pugsley for snow use. You can run rim brakes and it uses all standard bike parts aside from the rims and BB.
We are getting -15 Celsius (5+ Fahrenheit) currently. I use thick wool close to my body and techy plastic outer layers to stop the wind. But I do find myself overheat sometimes, but straight wool doesn't cut it at these temperatures. I go for shorter and harder rides for a number of reasons in winter. Dealing with a lot of snow automatically makes things harder. I recently bought your buckskin gloves, on their way now, but need to wait a month or so until they will be used I suppose.
Great videa! Thanks for the nod to Merino Skins. I'll check them out.
Biking in 0 fahrenheit in norway now, up to -5 so far this year. I just sub in bike gear for more and more cross country skiing gear. (-23C)
Lots of good advice here. Washable wool in indeed the best stuff. Oversizing gloves and shoes is a good idea. Romoving your gloves occasionally is another good tip, a ton of blood goes through your hands and it will cool your whole body off. Two other tips: 1. Carry an extra hat. It's really useful to swap into a dry hat, especially if you stop for coffee or something. 2. if you're male, put your junk in a thin wool sock Red Hot Chili Peppers style on a really cold day. Trust me...