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Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on November 8, 2011 at 8:37pm

Polypropolene base layers with cotton on top.  The poly wicks any sweat off you, the cotton soaks it up, but the poly layer keeps you from getting wet.  Wool or fleece over the cotton retains insulating properties, even if wet.  If you can get a fleece jacket with pit zips or other ventilation zips, you can fine tune your heating requirements better (my North Face fleece has these).

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Permalink Reply by April on November 8, 2011 at 9:24pm

Thanks Thundersnow.  This is great advice!  I just read the How To on Bike Winter. I am feeling way more prepared (and excited) now.  :-)

 

M.A.R.K  hmm...a diary huh?  Is it to keep track of what clothing works out, what I've learned, etc?  Interesting idea.  Maybe I will blog about it all. 

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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on November 9, 2011 at 2:00am

Sounds like you have the right attitude for your first BikeWinter.  

This is good advice: "I read some advice the other day, if you are not cold when setting out, you are wearing too many layers." If you don't believe it yet, try carrying an extra thin layer with you for awhile, just in case. My rule of thumb for dressing in the cold is that the heat I generate from riding is going to make me feel 15 degrees warmer than the actual air temperature.

The purpose of the diary IS to keep track of what clothing combinations work in different weather conditions.

For me, moisture-control is the biggest issue for staying comfortable in cold weather. Once you're wet, your body's ability to keep you warm falls precipitously. You'll be surprised how effective a good wind/water repellant shell is at keeping you warm with minimal layering.

Dressing for cold rain is much more difficult than dressing for the cold alone, or the cold with snow.

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Permalink Reply by DanGer 8.2mi on November 9, 2011 at 2:01am

I like to have a safety plan for very cold weather. I carry extra cash and a credit card to pay for a cab or bus if things get too rough. On really cold days it is good to know where to stop to warm up if needed. Bring the cell phone and keep it charged. Carry a pack with extra supplies, and use it to carry what you take off when too hot. Carry a lock in case the bike needs to be left behind.  Have fun. =D

April said:

Thanks Thundersnow.  This is great advice!  I just read the How To on Bike Winter. I am feeling way more prepared (and excited) now.  :-)

 

M.A.R.K  hmm...a diary huh?  Is it to keep track of what clothing works out, what I've learned, etc?  Interesting idea.  Maybe I will blog about it all. 

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Permalink Reply by Doug Haynes on November 9, 2011 at 3:29am

To me right now is the worst time to ride; give me the super cold and snow over wet and mild.  You ned up over dressed and wet on days like this but when it snows you don;t get soaked and it's cold enough dressing is not a challenge.

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Permalink Reply by Michelle Gregorek on November 9, 2011 at 3:52am

This will be my first Bike Winter also April!  So excited.  All because of this guy that I saw at the lakefront the day the blizzard stopped...anyone know who this is??

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• ultimatebikewinter.jpg, 384 KB

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Permalink Reply by JeffB on November 9, 2011 at 5:35am

Did you mean the North Branch Trail?  The one that starts at Devon and Caldwell and goes to the Botanic gardens?  Be ready for when it really starts to snow.  That trail does not get cleared.  You have to rely on the melt.  And watch out for wet leaves on days like this.  They can be slippery.

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Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on November 9, 2011 at 6:45am

It’s Bitter Cold with a Howling Wind and Snow. Let’s Ride.

 

By Gene Tenner

 

I bicycle 52 weeks per year. I hate cold weather. I ride anyhow. I commute 12 miles each weekday and ride more than that on weekend days, regardless of Chicago’s brutal winter, and I am always comfortable.

 

And, yes, you can, too.

 

There are 3 problems to overcome if you are going to ride in the winter: attitude, clothing and safety.

 

Attitude

 

I am an old guy, a baby boomer. If I can do it, you can ride year round, too. Look at every wintry ride as a new challenge to overcome.  You are not going to let some snowflakes, a few fahrenheits or a westerly wind keep you from staying fit and full of vim, vigor and vitality this winter. As the temperature drops, each ride becomes a new challenge to overcome, a new personal best to achieve. Do not let this old guy beat you.

 

Clothing

 

There are 2 basic clothing rules to follow.

 

First: Whatever touches your skin (bottom layer) should be moisture management fabric that whisks moisture off your skin. If your perspiration gets cold, you get cold. If your skin stays dry, you stay warm.

 

Second: Your top layer should be a waterproof and breathable fabric. Gore-Tex is great, but just one of many other similar fabrics on the market. These fabrics retain heat, allow perspiration to escape and keep water out. Remarkable stuff. The rest of staying warm is adjusting the layers in between to match the weather outside.

 

Chart. So, where do you start? Well, I have been winter riding for more than two decades. By the time November approaches, I have forgotten what I wore in March. I now keep a spreadsheet of what I need to wear to stay warm in 5 degree increments. If it is windy (5-10 mph) I take 5 degrees off the temperature on the chart. Very windy (10-20 mph) I take 10 degrees off the temperature. Over 20 mph I bundle up as best I can and pray.

 

To help you along, I have included a sample spreadsheet similar to what I use. Because you and I are different sizes, body types and have different tolerances and metabolic rates, your sheet will be different. So, as you head into winter, start experimenting. Add, subtract and find something better that works for you.

 

Cost is important for all of us. Because cycling is my transportation, my fitness membership and my passion, I am willing to part with more cash to keep riding all year. Your budget may not allow that. So, you may not be able to afford waterproof, breathable socks, electric insoles or a Gore-Tex jacket, but there are plenty of options that are close enough, that should keep you comfortable.

 

Where? Most of my solutions are not found at bicycle shops or on internet cycling stores. Most I find at other locations that are meant for skiing, camping or some other non-cycling purpose. Bicycle products seem to only keep me warm if it is 40 degrees or warmer. For example, booties for clip-less pedals fail to keep me warm, because there is a big hole in the middle of the sole that allows the cold in. Stylish and aerodynamic fashions look nice hugging your body, but baggy pants and a loose jacket add an extra air-pocket layer that becomes more insulation to keep you warm. An expensive pair of bicycle shoes may look hip, but a $10 pair of lightweight, furry slippers keep your feet warmer.

 

Mittens. Because your four fingers are keeping each other warm in mittens, they are much better than gloves at keeping your hands warm.

 

Hygiene. What about being stinky at work? Well, there is not as much sweat when you ride in the winter, because your body is trying to stay warm, not cool off with sweat. So, personal hygiene is less of an issue. A roll of paper towels, baby wipes, hand sanitizer and deodorant is all you need to freshen up after a ride to work, and most of the time you do not need much of that. I pack my work clothes and wear my bike clothes on my ride and then change in a washroom stall.

 

Safety

 

Winter more than any other time requires attention to your safety.

 

#1 Safety Rule. The number one basic rule to riding the streets of Chicago in winter is behave like a car. Follow the same rules of the road on your bike that you would in a car.

 

Be a Car. That means stopping for stoplights, no riding between lanes, staying in your lane and not between lanes, following one-way streets the right way, signaling turns and no swerving in and out of lanes. When you behave like a car, other cars will recognize, respect and drive safely around you. Wrong way down a one-way or blowing red lights is not behaving like a car and an invite to disaster.

 

Wear a helmet. Try this: Let a cantaloupe fall from the top of your head and see what happens when it hits the ground. Your un-helmeted skull hitting a curb at 12 mph is worse. If you want bystanders to see your brains being shoveled into a baggie after an accident, try a helmet-less ride.

 

Smooth and Easy. I ride a recumbent trike with two wheels up front and one in the back. My butt sits low to the ground, like riding a go-cart. The two upfront wheels give me the stability I need for winter riding in snow, over ice or on sand and mud. I do not fall off or over. You two-wheelers need to be even more careful. Ride as if you have a carton of eggs balanced on your rear rack. Sudden starts, stops and swerves will send the carton flying. You do not want that. You want a smooth, even ride that will give you early warnings and help you spot a patch of ice or a snow-filled pothole and give cars an opportunity to react to you while they are in the same slick conditions.

 

Bikes. Road bikes with skinny tires do not do well in the snow. If this is you, invest in a winter bike. Mountain bikes and hybrids with bigger tires will work much better. Let some of the air out of the tires to give you more street contact. Yeah, you go slower. But, being slow and safe is better than being fast and dead.

 

Lights. You need lighting in the winter. The days are shorter and it is often dark on both commutes. Light your bike with blinking white lights on the front and blinking red lights on the back (remember, behave like a car), so you can be seen by other bikes and cars. If you need a light to see the pavement, get one for your helmet, not your bike. A bike-mounted light will only point where the bike is pointed, so while you are making a turn the light is pointing off in space, not where you are turning into. You can turn your head with a helmet-mounted light and see the future of your turn. Reflecting tape on your bike or reflecting clothing will help you be seen even better, adding to your safety.

 

Eyes and Ears. Your eyes and ears are the two senses you rely on to keep safe while cycling. When you talk on a cell phone or listen to music on your headphones, you eliminate 50 percent of your safety senses. You cannot hear approaching cars, bikes behind you, an “on your left” warning from a passing cyclist or an aggressive dog coming from a blind spot that wants your lower leg as its next meal.

 

Share the Road. You have the same legal right to a street lane that a car does, but that does not mean you get to abuse the privilege. In a two lane street stay as far to the right as possible to allow motorists to pass you comfortably, but not close enough to parked cars that could door you easily. Right of center and 3 feet from parked cars is good. Car drivers treat you with more respect when you give them safe options to get around you.

 

Lube. Rusted brakes are killers. Your bike has oiled moving parts and the salt and chemicals put on the streets to melt the ice and snow will eliminate that oil faster than you think. When your chain starts to turn a brownish color, it is time to add oil to your chain. While you have the oil in hand, add it to your brakes, their levers and your derailleurs. Go to a bike shop and ask for a good winter oil and then ask them to show you how to apply it. Their advice is invaluable.

 

See 360 Degrees. Make your ride even safer with mirrors so you can see in back of you, too. It is good to know when a car or fellow cyclist is about to pass you or how much time you have to signal and switch lanes. You can put them on your bike or on your helmet. I have done both. On a two-wheeler I like a helmeted mirror. I have two mounted on my trike.

 

Flags. Because I sit low to the ground on my trike, I am less visible than you two-wheelers. So, I use two flags-on-poles that extend from my seat posts. I taped extra strips of non-adhesive tape to the poles to add to my visibility. It may look dorky, but it adds to my safety. It can add to yours, too.

 

Horns and Bells. While passing another bicyclist it is good to warn them of your intentions. “On your left” is great, but I also have a horn that I honk. Bells work, too, but their high pitch seems to get less notice.

 

Courtesy. Flipping off a honking car may feel good, but it is of no value when facing a 5,000 pound vehicle that wants revenge. Be polite. Ignore the idiots and continue on your Zen way.

 

The Lakefront Bicycle Path is where I do most of my riding. If you use it, too, then this one simple rule would make all our lives more enjoyable and safer; stay to the right except to pass. Whether you are a cyclist or a pedestrian, “slower traffic stay right” (remember, behave like a car) is a good rule to follow to enjoy our gorgeous lakefront. Riding or walking single-file helps, too, as does warning riders you are about to pass.

 

Baggage. In the wintry slush and snow we steer and lean more than we than we do in warmer times and this challenges our balance. We weave more and find it harder to hold a straight line. Whether you are commuting or coming back from the grocery store, a backpack or handlebar-mounted rack will shift and pull you more in the direction of your steering than a back-mounted rack. A rear rack with bungee cords or bags (panniers, in bike lingo) will keep you on course far better.

 

So, my fellow wheelers, you now know everything I know about cycling in Chicago’s winter. See you out there.

 

Gene Tenner is the Communications Director for the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters, which represents 47,000 union men and women in three states who swing a hammer for a living. He works as a volunteer to aid refugees from southern Sudan and its western region Darfur who are now living in Illinois. He is on 46^th Ward Alderman James Cappelman’s Transportation, Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Team and is the guy on the lakefront with the pink flamingo on his trike.

 

Bicycle Weather Clothing
Temp.	Head	Abdomen	Legs	Feet	Hands
60+	Skull cap	T-shirt	shorts	Sandal shoes, ankle sox
55 to 59	Knit cap	Long Sleeve t-shirt,	Quick-dry Pants	Lightweight shoes, socks	Garden gloves
50 to 54	Light Balaclava	Wicking long-sleeve-shirt + Snow Jacket	Quick-dry pants	Lightweight shoes, socks	Garden gloves
45 to 49	Light Balaclava	Wicking long-sleeve-shirt + Snow Jacket	Quick-dry  Pants + Long Johns	Lightweight Shoes, 2 wicking socks	Wool gloves
40 to 44	Light or Med Balaclava	Wicking long-sleeve-shirt + Snow Jacket	Quick-dry  Pants + Long Johns	Lightweight Shoes, 2 wicking socks	Wool gloves
35 to 39	Light + Med Balaclava	Wicking long-sleeve-shirt + Snow Jacket	Quick-dry  Pants + Long Johns	Slippers, 2 wicking socks	Wool gloves
30 to 34	Light + Med Balaclava	Wicking long-shirt + Snow Jacket	Ski pants	Slippers, 2 wicking socks	Wool gloves
25 to 29	Light + Med Balaclava	Wicking long-sleeve-shirt + Snow Jacket with Liner	Ski pants	Slippers, 2 wicking socks + heavy wool socks	Gore-tex mittens
20 to 24	Light + Heavy Balaclava	Wicking long-sleeve-shirt + Snow Jacket with Liner	Ski pants + Long Johns	Slippers, 2 wicking socks + heavy wool socks	Gore-tex mittens
15 to 19	Light + Heavy Balaclava	Wicking long-sleeve-shirt + Snow Jacket with Liner	Ski pants + Long Johns	Slippers, 2 wicking socks + heavy wool socks	Gore-tex mittens + liner gloves
10 to 14	Light + Heavy l Balaclava	Wicking long-sleeve-shirt + Snow Jacket with Liner	S. pants + Long Johns	Slippers, 2 wicking socks + 2 heavy wool socks	Gore-tex mittens + liner gloves
5 to 9	Light + Heavy Balaclava	Wicking long-sleeve-shirt + Snow Jacket with Liner	Ski pants + Long Johns	Slippers, 2 wicking socks + 2 heavy wool socks	Gore-tex mittens + liner gloves
0 to 4	Light + Heavy Balaclava	Wicking long-sleeve-shirt + Snow Jacket with Liner	Ski pants + Long Johns	Slippers, 2 wicking socks + 2 heavy wool socks	Gore-tex mittens + liner gloves
m1 to m5	Light + Medium +Heavy Balaclava	Wicking long-sleeve-shirt + Snow Jacket with Liner	Ski pants + Long Johns	Slippers, 2 wicking socks + 2 heavy wool socks	Gore-tex mittens + wool gloves
m6 to m10	Light + Medium +Heavy Balaclava	Wicking long-sleeve-shirt + Snow Jacket with Liner	Ski pants + Long Johns	Slippers, 2 wicking socks + 3 heavy wool socks	Gore-tex mittens + wool gloves
m11 to m15	Light + Medium +Heavy Balaclava	Wicking long-sleeve-shirt + Snow Jacket with Liner	Ski pants + Long Johns	Slippers, 2 wicking socks + 3 heavy wool socks	Gore-tex mittens + wool gloves
m16 to m20	Light + Medium +Heavy Balaclava	Wicking long-sleeve-shirt + Snow Jacket with Liner	Ski pants + Long Johns	Slippers, 2 wicking socks + 3 heavy wool socks	Gore-tex mittens + wool gloves

 

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Permalink Reply by igz on November 9, 2011 at 6:52am

it doesnt appear to be a daily commuter.  id expect fenders.  tho this could be a backup bike.

Michelle Gregorek said:

This will be my first Bike Winter also April!  So excited.  All because of this guy that I saw at the lakefront the day the blizzard stopped...anyone know who this is??

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Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on November 9, 2011 at 7:02am

Iggi- where is that shot again of you in the trib during last year's blizzard?   

iggi said:

it doesnt appear to be a daily commuter.  id expect fenders.  tho this could be a backup bike.

Michelle Gregorek said:

This will be my first Bike Winter also April!  So excited.  All because of this guy that I saw at the lakefront the day the blizzard stopped...anyone know who this is??

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Permalink Reply by Dave Jacque on November 9, 2011 at 7:50am

I find ski goggles to be essential for both comfort and safety: they keep my eyes from watering in the cold wind. Plus it makes me look vaguely storm-trooperish.

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Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on November 9, 2011 at 7:56am

Gene--thank you for your time and expertise and wisdom here.  I'm printing this out and hanging it up for reference all this coming winter.

Gene Tenner said:

It’s Bitter Cold with a Howling Wind and Snow. Let’s Ride.

 

By Gene Tenner

 

I bicycle 52 weeks per year.

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