Pam Blalock’s 5 Finest Tricks to Winter Biking

Lots of people have requested me how I can journey by a New England winter. Dressing correctly for the climate actually has an awesome deal to do with my enjoyment of it, however I’ve to confess that I additionally actually get a kick out of the appears to be like on folks’s faces after I journey my bike to work in 5 F diploma temps or do a century with snow flurries on and off all through the day.

That is my sixth winter right here, after transferring from a a lot milder local weather in North Carolina. I’ve modified just a few issues over time, however that is what works for me at present. Hopefully, it’ll assist others.

Ideas For Winter Biking 

On this article, I’ll discuss typically phrases, however can even embrace particular manufacturers when speaking about what I take advantage of.

1. Focus On The Clothes 

I’ll begin with clothes. One of many largest errors that folks make is overdressing. Do not forget that exercising generates warmth. Garments that wick moisture away from the physique will hold you dryer and due to this fact hotter. Steer clear of cotton.

Strive Cotton 

When cotton will get moist, it stays moist. I costume in layers, so I can regulate temperature all through the journey. Because it warms up, I can take away a layer, and when it begins to chill down once more within the late afternoon, I can begin including garments once more.

Or Silk 

Silk is a pure fiber with nice insulating properties. It makes an awesome base layer. I take advantage of silk for gloves and sock liners. There are many synthetics accessible. Two of the most typical ones are polypro and Thermax. They each wick moisture away from the pores and skin and dry rapidly. In contrast to Polypro, Thermax doesn’t retain odor and it may be dried in a garments dryer. There are many different new synthetics on the market, so wherever I say Thermax, be happy to substitute Polypro or your favourite artificial.

Polar Fleece Is Additionally A Good Choice

Polar fleece is one other nice material for winter sports activities. It retains just one/10 of its weight in water and insulates in addition to wool. It is available in 4 totally different thicknesses, with the lightest making a very good base layer and the heaviest way over something I’d ever want for biking. I do have a little bit sanity left!

Gore-Tex, Entrant, and different materials utilized in rainwear make good outdoors layers. Along with holding rain out, these materials are additionally superb at stopping the wind. I at all times have a rain jacket and rain pants with me within the winter, since New England climate is so unpredictable, and I don’t ever need to be caught in a 35-degree rainstorm with out safety!

2. Shield Your Fingers And Toes 

I’ve two pairs of footwear, one for summer season, and one other 1 dimension bigger for winter. This fashion I can use thick socks or heavy insoles. Many individuals make the error of utilizing the identical footwear and attempting to stuff further socks into them within the winter. This restricts circulation and makes the toes even colder. My summer season footwear are principally mesh – for coolness. My winter footwear are principally leather-based for insulation.

I at present use a pair of leather-based backside fleece insoles. Any kind of good insulated insole will assist. I put on wool socks, typically with silk liners. I’ve a pair of Gore-Tex booties made by Bellwether. These do an awesome job of holding my toes comparatively heat and dry. Lately I discovered a pair of x-c ski overshoes, which I take advantage of over my common booties on actually chilly days. I keep away from neoprene. Each time I’ve tried it, I simply find yourself sweaty, moist, and chilly. Some folks inform me it really works properly for shorter rides, however I’ve had no luck with it, and keep away from it fully. Anyone desires to purchase a pair of neoprene gloves, socks, facemasks, and shoe covers? (See I’ve tried it!)

However this isn’t at all times sufficient. Typically it will get downright chilly!

There are numerous foot heaters accessible. For lower than $2 a pair, you will get this shake-em to activate them hand and toes heaters. Domestically I’ve discovered these at LL Bean’s, REI, EMS, and varied snowboarding and sporting items retailers. There are particular ones made for toes which can be sufficiently small to slot in a shoe comfortably. They final about 5 hours and are terrific. I hold a few extras in my saddle bag all through the winter for emergencies. I’ve given them away typically and each recipient has at all times needed to know the place to get extra.

I’d prefer to thank John Unruh for telling me in regards to the battery-powered heated insole made by Hotronics. REI carries these for $130-$140. I made a decision to spoil myself two years in the past at Christmas and bought a pair. These are fabulous. They final 8 hours on the bottom setting, 4 hours on 2, 2 on 3, and 1 on 4. I bought a second set of batteries to make use of on centuries, so I may use the upper settings at instances. I used these all final winter and obtained my cash’s value. I clip the battery pack onto my booties. It’s in regards to the dimension of two c-cells and I didn’t discover the additional weight.

When it will get messy out, however not ok for x-country snowboarding, I’ve been recognized to make use of my Sorels (good to -40F) for the commute and shorter social rides (like 30 miles)!

3. Strive Taking Stops 

If my toes get too chilly on a journey (or any a part of me, for that matter) I cease at a comfort retailer for a warm-up break. I take away most of my outer layer clothes. I get a cup of espresso or sizzling chocolate to appease the clerk 🙂 in addition to warming myself. I get my footwear off and wiggle my toes to get the circulation going once more. In contrast to operating or snowboarding, in biking the toes don’t get to maneuver round so much.

These large coolers that maintain beer and cokes blast warmth out the vents within the backside. Standing subsequent to these might help heat chilly toes.

4. Don’t Preserve Carrying All Your Garments Inside

It’s vital to not keep inside sporting all of your heat garments as a result of the physique will alter after which really feel chilly when going again outdoors.

If using in a hilly or mountainous space by no means cease on the prime for any extra time than it takes so as to add one other layer. You’ll be sorry. Sweat from climbing will go away you chilly and moist, after which flying down a hill afterward gained’t do a factor to get you heat once more. Attempt to plan relaxation stops on the backside of a hill, so you need to use the climbing to heat again up!

5. Don’t Skip Your Meals 

Don’t neglect to eat. You might be burning lots of energy to maintain heat and you will have gasoline. In case you are doing a protracted journey (like a century) plan for longer and extra frequent breaks than you’d in the summertime.

6. Don’t Overlook The Bike

Let’s go take a look at the bike. Is it in prime situation? I don’t need to must do bike upkeep on the facet of the highway in sub-freezing temperatures, so I do an intensive examine to verify all the things works completely. I additionally are inclined to go together with wider tires to keep away from flats. I’m at present utilizing Michelin Specific inverted tread tires on my mountain bike, and they’re nice – arduous to search out, however nice! They deal with ice pretty properly too.

Fenders are value their weight in gold in New England. I wouldn’t consider doing a winter journey with out them. And as ordinary, I carry sufficient instruments to do minor roadside repairs, tire levers, tubes, wrenches, chain instruments, and many others. Since I are inclined to journey my commute bike all winter, I nearly at all times have lights on my bike. The solar units early, and a flat, mechanical downside or lengthy break may end up in a journey ending after darkish.

How To Keep Protected On A Winter Experience 

Within the winter I select my routes with further care and I at all times have a bail-out plan. I are inclined to do smaller loops near house, in case I must bail out for some purpose, like a blizzard, or a mechanical failure. I’ll go knock on a door, or name a pal or taxi (or AAA) if I discover myself in bother.

I attempt to journey with others on longer rides within the winter. First, as a result of it’s extra enjoyable, but additionally it’s safer. You’ll be able to be careful for one another, ship for assist, and many others.

I attempt to hold my eyes open for ice on the roads. Black ice will get you on a motorcycle, simply as simply because it will get you in a automobile or on foot. One individual requested me what I do on black ice, and I’ve to reply in truth – generally I fall. However I’m often sporting sufficient clothes that I don’t get harm. And I’ve had a lot better luck on ice on my bike than I’ve in my automobile (perhaps training on rollers would assist.

Anyway that is how I put together for chilly climate rides starting from a 12 mile commute, a 30 mile membership journey, or a 100 mile journey in subfreezing temperatures. That is what works for me. Your mileage might differ!

After all, there’s one different choice, that I’ve been severely contemplating, which is to maneuver again house to a hotter local weather! Nah, it’s an excessive amount of enjoyable right here !

To keep away from coping with frozen water, I take advantage of a Camelback, and hold the hose tucked inside my jacket after I’m not utilizing it. Camelback now sells a little bit hose insulator, which I’ve discovered very efficient. I used to maintain my Powerbars subsequent to my physique the place they keep heat and comfortable, however I don’t eat these terrible tasting issues anymore – I’d a lot relatively have a Snickers Bar!

How I Keep Heat On Colder Rides 

For fingers, I begin with silk glove liners. Then I add both mittens or gloves, relying on the temps. I take advantage of mittens for colder climate. I just like the heavy lobster claws made by Pearl Izumi. However since some extent of fantastic finger management is misplaced, if it’s over 30F, I’m going with gloves. The glove liners are actually useful for instances when I’ve to take away my outer gloves to do one thing that the majority gained’t permit me to do in any other case, like make changes, repair a series, and many others.

I will need to have a dozen pairs of gloves, however my favorites have cortex inserts, once more nice for blocking the wind, and simply in case it will get moist out. I additionally often carry a second pair for this similar purpose.

Defending The Head

 For the reason that physique protects the important components first, if the pinnacle isn’t heat, it’ll steal warmth from the extremities to guard the mind. That is why it’s typically mentioned, “In case your toes are chilly, placed on a hat.”

I take advantage of Swix earmuffs (very skinny – match simply below helmet), a Polarfleece face masks, and a hat or helmet cowl. I just lately discovered a brand new factor, known as a shellaclava. It’s a fleece neck hotter, with a lycra hood. I can simply pull the neck hotter up over my face or down to manage temperature. And my neck stays toasty on a regular basis. I even have a facemask that I used so much final yr which wraps round and Velcro’s within the again. It’s lined with fleece and has holes across the mouth space to permit breath to flee and hold the face masks dryer. I can pull it down simply for nostril blowing and temperature adjusting. I additionally used a silk balaclava often final yr with nice luck too.

There are additionally Gore-Tex helmet covers accessible to assist block a number of the wind coming by these (fantastic in the summertime) air vents within the helmet.

The ultimate contact is a pair of ski goggles. I’ve clear ones since I journey at evening additionally. I don’t must cope with my glasses fogging up after I cease at visitors lights, and my eyes keep heat. They usually solely value $25-$30.

The Relaxation Of The Physique 

OK, your head, fingers, and toes are heat, let’s get to the remainder of you. I begin with a Thermax zippered turtleneck sweater and bib shorts. The zipper within the turtleneck serves as an awesome temperature regulator. The bib shorts cowl my again after I’m within the biking place. Mine are girls’ bibs and likewise cowl the chest for extra heat.

For chilly however dry days I’ll add a pair of leg heaters earlier than my outer bib tights. If it’s moist I’ll use my Gore-Tex bib rain pants as an alternative of the leg heaters. I don’t need to overdress, and I nonetheless need to have the ability to transfer. I carry those I’m not sporting since I by no means know when the climate might change. I then add a rain jacket with underarm zippers. Opening and shutting these can even regulate the temperature very properly.

I bought a brand new winter jacket final yr from Efficiency that I like. There are many related ones accessible now. Shopping by REI and EMS, we’ve discovered 6-8 totally different fashions. I favor fashions with detachable hoods. It’s Gore-Tex, has a mesh liner, underarm zippers, and additional zippers so as to add a fleece vest – and it doesn’t seem like biking clothes, so I can put on it for different out of doors actions like x-country snowboarding, mountain climbing, and many others.

The Gore-Tex rain pants I’ve are from REI. They’re a bib mannequin, with little or no elastic on the waist, and zip closures on the toes. I discover myself hoping for a torrential rainstorm to offer these two items an actual exercise!!

BTW, whereas bibs are useful for staying heat, it does take a little bit further time to get out and in of them at lavatory stops, however for the added consolation, I don’t thoughts.

I additionally carry (and put on if wanted) a wool or Polarfleece sweater or vest. If I’ve a mechanical downside or a flat and can be outdoors for lengthy, not using and producing warmth, I need further layers towards the chilly. I’ve talked about that I carry a number of issues, so I also needs to point out that I’ve both a big trunk bag or small panniers on my bike within the winter. Higher to be ready than chilly and depressing. If the temperature rises, I additionally need a spot to discard extra clothes.

Recap 

One of the vital vital tip that I give out is to costume visibly. The solar is decrease within the sky right now of yr and extra more likely to blind drivers. Be sure to might be seen! So there you’ve gotten it. Let me know which of my tip works greatest for you. 

By Pamela Blalock. Reprinted right here on the ICEBIKE website with permission.

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