Winter Cycling
By Tom Over |
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When Old Man Winter's frosthammer pounds the fingers of novice winter cyclists against their handle bars, the veteran cyclist need not put the bike in the shed - some of Columbus's most intrepid cyclists ride all winter long.
Ken Cohen has been doing this longer than some of us have been alive. He is an instructor certified by the League of American Bicyclists. Here's some information from an expert that might keep you on two wheels longer than you expected.
Manage your body heat: Water-repellent shells over our clothing keep out the wetness. Wearing layers, preferably non-cotton materials, keeps us from getting wet from the inside.
"Let's say you have a flat tire," hypothesizes Cohen. "You've built up some heat, and you're sweating. When you stop, that moisture is going to suck the heat out of you, and you're going to get into thermal trouble."
For keeping our feet warm and dry, he refers us to gear available only at the most well-stocked cycling stores.
"Some people wear plastic bags on their feet, such as the type of bag a newspaper would come in, or a Subway sandwich would come in." High Tech.
Allow for more time: Routes we take during fair weather to avoid traffic can be a challenge after a heavy snowfall. Side streets usually are not ploughed as well or as soon as the major roads. Cars lay tracks, pack the snow, and leave troughs and ridges. This, not to mention winter winds, slows most mere mortals.
Expect less visibility: Ice, snow, and road debris on windshields can impede motorists' ability to see cyclists, (though not necessarily their ability to view smartphones). Add the fact that our glasses may fog up, as mine do when I come to a stop in cold weather. They clear when I start moving again. But that doesn't help during the first 100-150 feet of pedaling after the light turns green. Looking over my glasses after I have slid them down my nose seems the best option.
Expect less room on the road: Bike lanes may not be ploughed - and snow banks may extend into the right lane. "If the lane is too narrow to share (with motorists), ride in the middle of the lane," advised Cohen. "You may get honked at because lots of people have been taught that bikes don't belong on the road."
Get fenders: That will keep much of the salty slush from splashing in our faces, or on our clothing and bikes. I paid only $10 for a set of good used fenders at The Shop, a small DIY-style garage, located near the Third Hand Bicycle Co-op.
"Some people have fenders close to the wheel. The problem with that is that as the wheels pick up snow it gets in the way," Cohen said.
Get the right tires: "There are pros and cons to knobby tires. Some people believe that's the only way to negotiate the snow. Other people want a thinner tire to cut right to the road. Some believe studded tires are the only answer," Cohen said.
Get the salt off: "I like to use Pledge because it breaks through grease and makes the bike look nice," said Cohen. The salt used on roads is as caustic a bike's paint as it is to a car's. "Then, when I get to the wheels where I don't want any oil of any kind, I basically just take a little water from my water bottle, if it's not frozen, or I come in the house for some water and wipe the salt off of the rims, especially where the brake-pads hit them," Cohen said.
Originally Published: February 1, 2010
