How Cold is Cold?
When you’re sitting inside, trying to decide if it’s too cold to go cycling, keep this in mind: Somebody’s out there in colder weather than you are, suiting up to ride.
Chances are, it’s somebody from Icebike, home to “winter cyclists and other crazy people” who deliberately look for ways to ride on ice, or The Fairbanks Alaska Cycle Club, who have winter for six months every year. For heavy-duty snow and ice, their tips are gold. For regular cold-weather cycling, here are a few more:
- Don’t overdress. If you feel warm enough for the first 15 minutes of the ride, you’ll be too warm after 30 minutes. Go out a little cold and expect to make up for it with body heat.
- Take an extra layer. If you ride long enough to sweat, then have to stop outside, you risk hypothermia. An extra fleece or vest will protect you, if have a flat or your feet go numb and you end up walking for awhile. Bring an extra 20 degrees of warmth.
- Reduce the air in your tires. It will help increase their contact area with the road. Putting on knobby mountain bike tires improves your traction too. On the ice, slick racing tires are not your friend.
- Learn to recognize road ice. Some ice is slippery, some gives you traction. Know the difference. If you have to brake on slippery ice, use your rear brake only. Try to wait for a dry patch to brake or turn, if you can.
- Be ready for dark. In winter, the days are much shorter and twilight can sneak up on you. Even if you expect to be back in time, make sure you have rear and front lights.
- Remember it’s not just about you. Motorists can’t see you as well with their windows fogged up. Give them a wide berth and make sure they know you’re there. You’re watching out for ice, but they may be trying to chew gum, change a CD and talk on the phone all at the same time. Be ready for evasive action, in case they lose it and come skidding your way.
- Pack your own heat. Some cyclists make heat packs a part of their gear. You can get hand and foot packs. Disposable packs are lighter, more effective and less bulky than reusable packs. Most will fend off the cold for 2-5 hours.
How cold is cold? You won’t hear it on the Weather Channel, but according to the University of Ottawa’s snow-busting cyclist, Pete Hickey, here’s how you know:
Cold: greater than 9°C (>15°F)
Very cold: -17°C to 9°C (0-15°F)
Extreme cold: -26°C to -17°C (-15°F-0°F)
Insane cold: below -26°C (< -15°F)
More TIPS? All Weather Sports, Bicycle Colorado