Dec 28 2008
Warm, Dry, and Comfortable
The snow is finally melting and the weather is turning into typical Pacific Northwest rain. During the cold and snowy weather I was able to put to the test my winter riding gear. I discovered I need to make very few adjustments in my gear and riding in the snow is fun. At least it is fun if you do not need to do it all of the time.
If this region received more snow I would purchase studded tires for my bike, this would have eliminated some of the falls I took during my rides. Not that I fell that many times but it would have reduced about 75% of them. Most of the time when I went down it was when I putting power to the pedals while climbing a hill and lost traction on an ice patch. Studded tires would have provided significant help in the area. The other times I went down because I was pushing the envelope too far by going too fast or just having too much fun.
My clothing choices worked well for me and left little room for improvement. I used Under Armour top and bottom base layers for my initial warmth layer followed by a layer or two of street clothing. Most of the time I wore jeans, a long sleeve henely, a flannel shirt or sweatshirt, and then followed with a waterproof exterior layer. To keep my feet and hands warm and dry I wore my Lake MXZ 302 winter cycling shoes and Specialized Radiant gloves. On my head and face I wore an Under Armour beanie under my helmet and a neoprene face mask. These combinations in clothing kept me warm, dry, and comfortable during my rides in 20 degree temps to the store and visits to friends and family.
I would have to say dealing with just rain is much easier, but I had fun during the snowy weather and I am glad it is melting. Now all I need to watch for is patches of gravel and tiny gravel projectiles being hurled at me from passing cars.
Personally, I prefer cold to wet. At least the cold doesn’t get inside your clothes as wet weather does.
It’s staying cold and icy here and will do so for another month at least. No studded tyres are needed because the cycle paths are kept ice free, so life goes on as normal and falls are rare. I’ve not slipped even slightly on ice.
Everyone keeps cycling here, young and old. When the children start back at school they’ll all be leaving at 8 am in the dark wrapped up warm on their bikes to deal with the temperature being below freezing point.
I’d like to say I prefer cold to wet, but currently I’m hiding, after a bad fall on some ice. It’s hit my confidence badly, and as my commute is in the dark, morning and evening, I admit I’m scared of hitting some more ice. I hope the weather warms up so that I can get back to it, I’ve been advised to get studded tyres, but it’s an expensive option for what should only be a short period. So I’m missing my riding, and already feeling fat and lazy.
Cold is easier than wet until it snows around here. Then wet starts to look good.
I will take a dry cold over wet cold any day…but I live in a part of the the country (Deep South) where winters are cold and wet 32.5 degrees and rain, hard to dress warmly and stay dray. Wool sure comes in handy. Getting some snow experience this year, my job has kept me in central Ohio, wondering if I need to splurge on some studs…we shall see.
Aaron
Hello, I discovered your site a little while ago and have read all the posts steadily. I decided I might make my firstpost. Unsure of what to say but anyway. Interesting website. Will visit in a while to see what else youd like to tell me.