Published on December 20th, 2012 | by Scott Cooney

Tips to make bike commuting in the winter more fun

You know you want to brag to some snotty kids some day that, “back in my day, I biked to school, uphill both ways, in the snow and rain…and I LIKED IT!”

Even if you don’t want to rub it in to some spoiled kids, you might just want to continue bike commuting in the wintry weather, either a) because it saves money, b) it can save time, and/or c) you love having buns of steel. (Check out Planetsave‘s top ten reasons we love biking. It’s a great post with lots of cool biking pictures). So what are you to do when it’s cold and wet outside, and you really just want to riiiide?

Here’s a few tips to keep you two-wheeling this winter.

Think about your bike type. If you own a bike that allows you to sit upright (i.e., not down in more of a racing position), that’s best for winter rides, which tend to be less about speed and more about control. If all you own is a racer, you might consider investing in a winter bike that’s just a commuter. I ride a Trek commuter bike year round, which retailed at about $400, and it rocks!
Address your bike’s needs. A few minor adjustments to your bike, like adding fenders, will go a long way in the winter toward making your bike riding experience much better. Consider getting a quick tuneup to make sure the seals around your internal gear hubs are sound, your chain is in good condition, and your tires have a little more traction than most super slick road bike tires. Finally, there’s nothing like some good weather-proof panniers (saddlebags) to keep your stuff dry and safe, and not on your person while you’re riding.
Layer up. Depending on whether you have showers at your office/school, you might be able to just pack clothing to change into once you arrive. If not, no sweat–choose wool outerlayers and athletic underlayers for your daily commute. Unless you work a suit and tie kind of job, this is usually an acceptable work look in the winter anyway. Good wind/rain resistant gloves and a jacket/pants you can toss on when it starts to rain will keep you dry, warm, and happy.
Take it easy and enjoy the ride. Let’s face it, winter riding is a little more…precarious than summer riding, as it tends to be wetter and certainly is icier. Maybe crank it down a notch, Mr. Tour de France, ok? Slow down and enjoy the ride, because let’s face another fact: biking is just plain fun.

Get the Green Living Ideas book in softcover or PDF for as low as $2.99!

Please follow and like us:

Tags: bike commuting, buns of steel, chain, Cycling, healthy, ice, safety, snow, tips, winter

About the Author

Scott Cooney Scott Cooney is a serial eco-entrepreneur including being the solo founder of Pono Home, HomeEfficiency.com, and CleanTechnica; author of two books; former sustainability consultant with clients including Johnson & Johnson, Eastman Chemical, Wal-Mart, and Duke Energy; former Adjunct teaching the first course in sustainable business in the MBA program at UH Manoa; lover of local, healthy food and especially vegan nachos. Find Scott on Twitter