Riding a bike through winter can be a challenge, but there’s no need to miss out on the pleasures and benefits of riding in winter. So, after doing it badly for years, I’ve compiled a list of mistakes that I (and some other people) have made over the years with the hopes of helping you avoid these rookie missteps.
0:00 Intro
0:55 Mistake 1: Gear Overload
2:05 Mistake 2: Overthinking Your Bike
3:25 Mistake 3: Overdressing
4:34 Mistake 4: Not Considering the Extremities
5:45 Mistake 5: Failing to Change Your Route
6:26 Mistake 6: All-or-Nothing Attitude
7:32 Mistake 7: Fear
8:35 Mistake 8: Going it Alone
My video about keeping your feet warm: https://youtu.be/bwdVSY5YRw8
Playlist of winter cycling videos: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9VVRCsi30SkoDMAHux-OA81ZeBXx7R98
#cycling #bike #bikecommute
Sponsor
Two Wheel Gear: My favourite bike bags for commuters and urban cyclists https://www.twowheelgear.com/
Buy my book Frostbike: The Joy, Pain and Numbness of Winter Cycling: https://rmbooks.com/book/frostbike/
I don’t really do proper product reviews, but here are some products that I’ve tried on this channel that I like. (Of course, you don’t need anything fancy to ride a bike, other than a bike, but these are Amazon affiliate links, and I get paid a small commission if you buy them 😉)
• Here’s the winter bike I’m riding these days: https://bit.ly/2PhqUqF
• Cliq Smart Bike Light (nice rear brake light): https://amzn.to/39lfqwo
• RedShift Acrlight Smart LED Pedals (clever lights for your pedals): https://amzn.to/3NL1Npg
• Aftershokz Titanium bone-conducting headphones (if you want to listen while you ride): https://amzn.to/3e9Tofa
• JBL CLip 4 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker (for your party-pace group rides): https://amzn.to/3pcMLPm
• Crane Bicycle Bell (the ding is sublime): https://amzn.to/3OwfZCu
• Ibex Merino Wool clothing (good for summer and winter): https://bit.ly/3xXkbEd
• Bicycle Cargo Net (why did it take so long for me to buy one of these?): https://amzn.to/31s1Ovu
• Vaude Cover II Rain Poncho (for higher-end, try Cleverhood or People’s Poncho): https://amzn.to/3jLkift
• Kryptonite U-Lock (your bike is going to get stolen eventually, sigh, but at least make it difficult on the thief): https://amzn.to/3tPWcGi
• Peak Design phone case (the one I use, paired with the Peak Design phone mount): https://amzn.to/3HGM0FU
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33 Comments
Especially for short rides I really prefer the bike over the car. When I drive the car I'm cold from start to finish and stay cold all day. When I ride my bike I get some exercise and heat up my body and am much more comfortable long-term
A few more great tips:
1. Lower your seat a few centimeters from your normal summer height. A higher seat gives you more pedaling power & leverage as your leg has more space to straighten out in the downstroke. However, this actually is something you don’t want in slippery conditions. Plus you’ll catch any fall easier & ride more confident. You want to easily step off the bike when the tires slide out from under you, general seat heights leave you touching the ground with tippy toes. It depends on your abilities and condition of the road but if it’s icy everywhere, I would consider a height where your heels touch the ground on both sides (both of your entire feet). I go with my heels just barely lifted off ground because I’ve biked since childhood.
2. Deflate your tires slightly, deflated tires have more grip because the rubber forms more to the surface. Mud racing trucks do the same thing with their tires when racing.
3. Limit your front brake use & never use it while turning, you’re just asking for a face plant. When moving straight you can get away a bit on slippery surfaces but never in a turn.
4. Key to turning on slippery surfaces is to actually lean as little as possible and actually turn the fork, so you must limit your speed. If you are taking a quick turn and aren’t sure how slippery it is, slide your foot (on the side you are turning to) a bit in front of you on the ground. If your bike ends up sliding from under you, you basically just stand up on your feet instead of plowing into the ground face first. This is what motorcross riders do in turns, they use the leg as a tripod if the bike is slipping from under them, pushing back up with the foot (basically kicking the ground quickly to be upright again).
With all these together, you should greatly minimize the chance of a fall, especially one that will be very painful or damaging. Lower the seat = easier to catch yourself by having the body & feet closer to the ground, less tire pressure = more stability, less front brake = less instability & sliding the foot on the ground while turning = security/stability.
U must like coffee
All is cold …🥶 feet hands including my eggs when I drive … cold wind is full shit … I hate winter ❄️ 🔥🔥🔥✌️😜✌️😂✌️🍀🍀🍀☀️🍀🍀🍀🍀🔥 maybe I try a motorcycle overall or so …
I know this a old video but if bike lanes sidewalk aren't a choice is it safe to ride with people on the road I live in Michigan so just asking
Wear Boot Covers if using your cycling shoes.
clean.your.bike.
I live in West Wales and I'm surprised recently how many people cycle in the winter wearing shorts!🩳
I'd love to have a beer with this dude if he's ever in the quad cities
Great video, i saw some of your videos AND i really liked them. Your city Is quite wet like mine un autumn and spring…and you don't use a helmet…so, you never go to the floor ? Tell me whats tyres you have! I kiss the floor one or two times per year…so I use helmet. Thanks for your dedicación! Juan from Buenos Aires
Counter steering for the win!
This video has eased my mind
I am watching this even though I have never seen snow
The biggest thing I found about winter riding was my neck would get cold along with my face and hands. So I bought a Balaclava which luckily for me it fits pretty good down to my neck. I'm gonna do the next best thing and also buy a scarf too. I'm also going to take your advice about getting winter studded tires for my bike and fenders and mittens. That was a great video and thank you I'm glad I found your channel.
I'm am a NZ road cyclist. We don't have anything like the cold conditions that you experience but in winter I put wool socks on then a small plastic bag over each foot especially the toes then slip them in to my shoes.I haven't had to wear over boots for years.
Great video! Thank you for the tips.
I dare someone to ride their bike for 4 hours in -14 without eye protective gear….theyd chiken out 30 minutes in …. that's why I don't think anything of these men today they are pussys ..lol
I can also imagine the health benefits of riding (exercising) in the cold!
How long do the studs typically last on pavement?
Weather forecast today: death. I took bike did 10 miles to and back from work. Well I'm still alive 😂
Tommorow will be my first ride in the snow. Iam just gonna go for it and hope for the best. I learned how to drive and ride bikes on dirt roads which more often than not, was slick clay. First drive in snow felt like home. im hoping it will be similar on my first snow ride.
Thanks for the tips. I just started biking a bit in an old free bike given to me. I found a cheap $12-$15 USD balaclava fleece ski mask was a game changer. Although being cheap breathing is a bit hard but it keeps me warm and I was surprised how little of a jacket I needed.
I hate it though…… everywhere is cool except for my seat area…..
As selfish as it sounds I actually like the fewer people that are out in the cold weather. Usually the ones that do come out are nicer and more aware because they probably do it more.
Sounds fun and promising until u fucking said that my bike can possibly rust…
I can barely keep my eyes open with the cold wind blowing in them. Any suggestions? I need to wear glasses but they don't block the wind at all.
I live in Wy. We have a trail I may have to ride to work but I don’t think it’s maintained so that leaves me traveling alongside 40mph cars on the shoulder of the road because good ol’ Wy does not have bike lanes on the roads. 😅 my car stopped working… nd I am on maternity leave literally going back to work THIS Friday 😪 and of all things
I got a recumbent bike. I won't have as far to fall. Better yet, is my recumbent tricycle which doesn't fall over on slippery ice. :-))
What kind of bike do you have ? It looks like a Enerwatt Racer !
hahahahaha looks like you never have seen EU but still keep it real cheers
As a skater in the south winter is always better to ride. Way easier to warm up than it is to cool down. Favorite time.
This guy is a real jerk off.
i've been riding in the cold recently, about 24 degrees temp. going down hills, yep windchill is serious. I definitely need gloves, and hat that covers my ears. Thermals are great if the ride is long in those temps, but im definitely not putting on too many layers!! a zip down outter layer is good. Good vid. i would have just added, although you'd hope people naturally do it, having good lights on your bike to be seen.. and maybbeee something high vis in nature.
Did you see that? He threw a snowball at me!