What did you learn about riding in the cold and snow this winter?

I learned the power of air pockets. My base layers have always been close to the skin, but I discovered that loose fitting layers over those provide pockets of air that mean extra warmth ... everyhwere: a quarter-inch air pocket at the end of my fingers, an oversized pair shoes or boots, baggy pants and a loose jacket.

I also discovered that an even stroke (push-pull) gets you through deeper snow better than an uneven (push-push) stroke.

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Permalink Reply by Scott Chillson on April 24, 2014 at 3:32am

I learned I hate rollers and trainers so next year I'm buying a fat bike!

Permalink Reply by Simon Phearson on April 24, 2014 at 3:36am

This was my first winter bike-commuting in Chicago, so I learned a lot.

The air pocket thing - yes, definitely. My hands were warmer with my lobster gloves than with my five-fingered gloves; and I quickly learned it was better not to try to layer a "liner" glove under the lobsters, either (though I think that might have been more of a circulation thing than "air pocket" as such).

I learned that I could tolerate quite a bit of cold in my extremities if I kept my core well-warmed, and that keeping a good effort level going throughout the ride was essential.

I learned that managing air pressure was a very useful way to adjust to shifting road and trail conditions, without needing to rely on tire swap-outs.

Most useful, and perhaps most lasting, was that I learned it really isn't that bad. A cold 54-degree rain shower would have been a holiday back in February.

Permalink Reply by dan brown on April 24, 2014 at 3:42am

good points gene. I know that but still put on multiple tight layers. hard to teach an old dog new tricks..

here is what I did learn :

(my new route in the a.m. is Lincoln Ave (from Bryn Mawr) to Wells to downtown btw)

Starbucks all have nice heavy duty blow dryers in their bathrooms

(also so the the McDonald's at Fullerton and Lincoln)

My fingers were the only thing to ever get cold...so I was never more than 5 minutes from a quick

finger de-freeze (and YES; the old frostbite tip of putting frozen hands under cold water then gradually increasing to tepid works) and the nice thing is I can water the hands; warm the gloves and non watered hand all at the same time. very good time economics when minutes are precious in the moarning.

I ALSO leared that is SO EASY to justify stopping at Heritage bikes on the way into work :

-bring bike inside (no need to lock up)

-buy a really good locally made pastry

-splurge on good (again local) coffee

and justify it by saying I am saving circa $5.00 by not taking CTA and saving even more $$$ by not joining a fancy gym. my bike (and the sauna at the work subsidized gym) are all I need ;-)

nice thread,

DHB

Permalink Reply by Rich S on April 24, 2014 at 5:32am

That the city won't be as good at removing snow and salting streets as they have been in the past. At least not during heavy winters like this last one and especially not side streets. Therefore I learned to be better prepared for black ice and allow more time for my commute. 

I also learned that I love wool more and more each winter!  

Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on April 24, 2014 at 5:41am

Very important to wash off most of the salt and grime after each commute from work at home to keep my parts from corrosion.

Permalink Reply by Fran Kondorf on April 24, 2014 at 5:58am

I learned that next year I'm swapping tires for the season. I really missed my old knobbies and may even construct a set of studded tires to have on hand, just in case.

Permalink Reply by Jaik S. on April 24, 2014 at 6:01am

This past winter will mark my first with clips.

If you think tomorrow is a good day to take of those shoes and use the other ones, don't hesitate. Black ice is much more scary when you're clipped.

Permalink Reply by Ryan Stahlman on April 24, 2014 at 6:09am

Wow, I just learned that my fenders were my savior this winter. My chainrings never looked that bad and I cleaned them maybe every other week. 

Juan 2-8 mi. said:

Very important to wash off most of the salt and grime after each commute from work at home to keep my parts from corrosion.

Permalink Reply by Craig S. on April 24, 2014 at 6:19am

It was reinforced to me how much I loathe/detest/hate snow and winter and generally any temps below 65 degrees.

Permalink Reply by Eli on April 24, 2014 at 7:22am

I learned that the part of a fender which is covered by a mudflap can get really rusty and corroded without my noticing it.

Permalink Reply by MK on April 24, 2014 at 7:49am

I learned there are some days I need to take advantage of the CTA. If I'm at risk of falling over from some ice I can't see it's best to just stay off the bike... lest I hurt myself and need to stay off much longer than I'd like.

Permalink Reply by Jeremy on April 24, 2014 at 2:22pm
That rib injuries really hurt and my patience for the prep it takes to winter bike successfully gets a little shorter each year.

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