How to survive winter on your bike – according to a Canadian Canadian author Tom Babin offers up tips on how to keep your two wheels on firm ground during the winter […]

Canadian author Tom Babin offers up tips on how to keep your two wheels on firm ground during the winter months

As the temperature drops, many of us habitually put away our bicycles for the winter.

But as a Canadian who has ridden through years of sometimes harsh seasons, I’ve learned that, with a little preparation, there’s no reason to let the weather stop you.

Here are some tips to get you started.

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Winterise your bike

Traction is a key consideration during wet and icy stretches, which means thinking about your bike’s tyres.

An easy first step is trading in your road slicks for knobbier tyres, like those on a cyclocross or mountain bike.

If that’s not enough, look at some winter-bike tyres, which are built with rubber that better adheres to cold and wet roads.

If you are still sliding, studded tyres have improved in quality and cost immensely in recent years, and make a world of difference in winter, even if only used on the front wheel.

If none of that helps, save your money for a fat-bike. These mountain bikes, invented in Alaska, feature gigantic low-pressure tyres that roll over snow, ice and anything else winter can throw at you.

Dress the part

If you have a relatively short bicycle commute, there’s no reason to invest in anything special for winter.

Cycling in winter survival kit Icebreaker merino wool base layers

The key to outdoor winter comfort is a good quality base layer. Icebreaker’s merino wool undergarments are soft, comfortable and as warm as a hot stove.

Darn Tough socks

The most overlooked part of winter-bike preparation is the feet: without toasty toes, you’ll never have a toasty body. Buy a few pairs of Darn Tough wool socks, and happily ride though whatever winter throws at you.

Pearl Izumi thermal tights

If your winter riding plans include long miles with no regard for the weather, you need a pair of warm, water-resistant cycling tights. These ones may be overkill, especially once you realize how warm your body gets whilst pedalling, but you’ll rest easy knowing these tights won’t let you down.

45NRTH Cobrafist Pogies Handlebar Covers

These 45NRTH offerings may be warm enough to save your digits from frostbite if you ever decide to ride to the north pole, so they’ll certainly suffice on your morning commute.

A wool cap, some mittens, and a decent pair of waterproof boots will get you through the season.

But if your winter-riding ambitions are higher, all kinds of cycling clothing has come onto the market in recent years.

There are warm winter shoe covers, insulated tights, merino wool jerseys and cosy helmet liners to keep your body toasty.

For frozen digits, slide your hands into some bar mitts, or pogies, which cover up your handlebars, allowing your fingers freedom to work the brakes and shifters while staying warm inside a pillowy mitten.

Just remember that pedalling generates internal warmth, so don’t overdress.

Encourage your city to make it easier

The great winter bike cities of the world, where thousands of people roll through the snow every day, have one thing in common: great bike infrastructure.

Dedicated lanes that separate cars and bikes are even more important when conditions are poor. Winter maintenance of those lanes, such as ploughing and traction control, is key.

Don’t let anti-bike politicians use the argument that bike lanes are a waste of resources because they are seasonal.

An increasing number of cities are disproving that notion by building well-maintained bike lanes filled with an ever-growing number of cyclists in winter.

Change the way you ride

Winter will eventually get wet, dark and slippery, sometimes all at the same time, so a few adjustments in the way you approach your ride may be required.

The good news: it’s as easy as slowing down. Take your speed down and your risk of falling will plummet.

You may want to find new routes through your city to avoid busy roads where proximity to vehicles may be more dangerous in icy conditions, even if the distance is a bit longer.

Adjust your attitude

Often, the biggest obstacle to riding in winter is ourselves.

The fear, sometimes irrational, of cold weather, snow and ice keeps too many cyclists from enjoying a ride year-round.

The key is to confront it, just give it a try, take it as a challenge.

Spend the first few weeks figuring out what works best, and then get out and enjoy the experience.

Not only can riding in winter be a practical and enjoyable transportation choice, but it’s also a means of staying active and enjoying the outdoors when most people are bundled up and cursing mother nature.

Tom Babin is the author of Frostbike: The Joy, Pain and Numbness of Winter Cycling. Read his blog on cycling at shifter.info.