Cycle comfortably in cold and rainy weather “Brrrrr! Why cycle in winter?!” As winter sets in and you prepare to put your bicycle away, you notice a lot of people are still cycling. Why would they do that? Well, why not? It’s an outdoor activity just like skiing, running, paddling and walking! You can cycle too, if you give your self, your bike and your trip a winter makeover. Clothing | Bicycle | Route | Learn more 
Clothing Sure, it’s cooler and wetter out there. But keep in mind that you are your own engine, and you generate your own heat. With the right combination of layers, technology and ingenuity, your ride will be invigorating and comfortable -- from head-to-toe. Head - Ears: wear a thermal headband or thin toque under your helmet, or slip a helmet cover over top to block cold air and precipitation from entering the vents — if wearing a beanie, you may need to swap the sizing pads in your helmet and adjust the chin strap
- Hair: if you’ve got a jacket with a hood, try wearing it underneath your helmet to keep your hair dry and your ears warm and make sure your peripheral vision is clear
- Eyes: wear riding glasses with clear lenses, goggles, or attach a visor to your helmet to protect from rain and grit, as well as keep your eyes from watering
- Neck: tuck a neck warmer into your jacket collar to block cold air; it also doubles as a toque
Hands - Gloves are an easy way to moderate your temperature
- Build a collection of half-length and full-fingered styles, warm liners, neoprene and wind-resistant outer shells to mix and match as the weather changes
- Wear cushy ski gloves on really cool days
Torso - Wear a big warm jacket for short errands, or multiple layers on longer rides
- Go high-tech (with a waterproof, breathable cycling jacket) or low-tech (with a PVC rain slicker)
- Wear silk, wool or a moisture-wicking synthetic fibre top next to your skin — avoid cotton, which clings to your skin, stays damp, and saps your heat
- Try a cycle-specific rain cape and boots for a European approach - it’s inexpensive and effective
Legs - Pants, shorts, knickers, tights or shells? Mix and match according to the weather report and the length of your ride
- Slip a pair of rain pants over your outfit to protect your clothes and stay warm — and don’t forget reflective ankle straps to keep your pant legs from getting caught in the chain
- Lined wool slacks, or wool skirts with cable tights, look and feel great on dry, crisp days
Feet - Rain booties - Your feet are closest to the cold, wet road — keep them dry (and your footwear clean) with slip-on shoe covers
- Wear thick wool socks in your winter bike footwear for extra warmth
- Try PVC rubber boots with a thick wool liner for a low-tech remedy for heavy rain
Sneaky Tip - Keep a clean handkerchief in your winter jacket pockets for runny noses
Bicycle Under ideal circumstances you’d own at least two bikes: the fast, light steed you ride in the summer; and the fully-accessorized workhorse you ride during winter. But if you only have one bicycle, there are a few simple ways to adapt it for the wet months.
Bike
- Get a tune-up both before and after winter to keep it safe and in good shape
- Wipe down your bike after wet rides to prevent rust, and occasionally oil moving parts to keep them from corroding
- Attach a bell (or better yet, an airhorn) to alert cars or pedestrians that may not see you in the rain and dark
Drivetrain and Brakes - A full fender set is inexpensive and protects both you and your bike’s moving parts from road slush—they can be tricky to install, so consider having a mechanic do it
- Switch to a winter grade chain lubricant that will adhere in heavy rains and repel grit and moisture; only lubricate a dry chain and be sure to wipe off excess oil with a rag
- Check your brake pads regularly—road grit and small stones can stick in the pads - listen for a sandy sound when you brake
- Get your brakes adjusted if they don’t seem to stop, even when you squeeze the levers hard
Wheels and Tires - Smooth, knobby or studded tires? Choose smooth city tires with special treads for the rain, knobby tires for stability on dirt and gravel and studded tires for grip and fun in the snow
- Switch to a wider tire and/or keep tires a bit softer in the winter to improve tire grip and traction
- Older bikes may have steel wheels that can be hazardous in wet weather — ask about special brake pads or better yet, upgrade to aluminum wheels
Lighting - Front lights: days are dark and drivers are distracted — amp up your front light with an extra-bright lamp that’s at least six watts, or add a second front light
- Rear lights: Add a second rear light for extra visibility—make sure one is attached to your bike so it doesn’t shift around, and remember: batteries fail faster in the cold
- Batteries: insert fresh batteries for winter and stock up on rechargeables—disposable batteries hurt both the environment and your bank account
- Frame: Apply strips of colourful reflective tape on your bike’s frame tubes to light up in car headlights— they’re good for visibility if your lights fail too
- Wheels and Helmet: Ask about small, bright lights that mount on your wheel spokes and helmet
Cargo - Carry extra clothes, gear and essentials in waterproof pannier bags that hang off your bike, not your back—too much weight on your shoulders can strain your back
- Stock up on different sizes of clear plastic bags—they protect items in a non-waterproof pannier or backpack, they make it easier to find what you’re looking for, and you’ll spend less time digging around in your bag in the rain
- Keep a couple of spare bungee cords to strap large items onto your rack that won’t fit into bags
Sneaky Tip - Store a shower cap under your seat, and pull it over the saddle to protect it from getting wet when you park the bike
Route The longest of winter bike rides starts with a single pedal stroke—it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Ease into winter cycling a bit at a time. Always carry a rain jacket (even if it’s not raining!), a map, and loose change for public transit.
Preparation
- Install a thermometer outside your window so you know the temperature before you get dressed
- Start slowly and allow your joints and muscles to warm up
- Weather will vary through the day - a morning rain can give way to sunshine in the afternoon
- Give yourself more time than you would in summer to allow for detours and walking
Route - Bring bike and transit maps — it’s good to know you can always put your bike on the bus if the weather turns foul
- Try out a few different routes to the same destination — sometimes the best way depends on road surface, time of day and volume of traffic
- Go "multi-modal"—ride one way, park your bike in a secure area, and bus or carpool back, and visa versa the next day
- Side roads have less traffic, but watch for slippery leaves, swinging car doors and short-cutting drivers
Handling - Go slower than you might in the summer — drivers don’t expect to see cyclists in the winter
- Ease into intersections gently and watch out for slippery road paint, service holes and wet leaves
- Watch for frost and black ice in shaded areas and pedal slowly and smoothly
- Leave a greater distance for stopping—rain can affect your brakes’ performance
- Manoeuvre smoothly into corners and keep your body upright while turning so your tires don’t skid out from under you
- Lower the seat slightly in frosty or slippery conditions
Snacks and Fluids - Always carry a couple of spare energy bars — you burn more calories in the cold
- Drink! Dehydration makes you more susceptible to hypothermia and frostbite
- Keep water warm and close—fill a slim thermos with hot tea and store it into your water bottle holder
Communicate - You’re not alone! Meet other winter cyclists at one of the area’s many social and policy-making events (see box, below)
- If you see a dangerous new pothole or patch of slippery debris, contact your city’s Cycling Hotline
- Got a question? Drop by The Bike Doctor for more useful information and advice.
Learn more about winter cycling in the Vancouver area
"How to ride your bike in winter: cycle comfortably in wet and cold weather" © Ulrike Rodrigues and The Bike Doctor, Vancouver, BC, Canada. 2009. |