Shorter
and cooler days do not mean you have to give up cycling for fitness,
fun, and transportation. Here in the mountains, many of us ride all
winter long – perhaps as a bit of defiance, deviance, or dedication,
but it’s a great way to stay in shape, relieve stress, fight cabin
fever, enjoy winter, save money, reduce greenhouse gasses, reduce
traffic congestion – you get the idea. In addition to the proper
mindset and motivation, it’s just a question of being equipped so you
can enjoy winter cycling. Face it; if you’re miserable, you aren’t
going to do it.
Clothing
Riding
is winter conditions requires an assortment of windproof,
waterproof-breathable, insulating, and wicking garments to use as
conditions warrant. The idea is to create a microclimate for your body.
Our approach to selecting performance clothing at The Trailhead and Trailhead Cycle & Ski has always been functionality and versatility
rather than brand image. In other words, there’s no reason why you
should buy different items that perform essentially the same purpose
just because one is an “outdoor” brand, a “Nordic skiing” brand, or a
“cycling” brand. An item from The North Face, Patagonia, Mountain
Hardwear, Marmot, or Kühl, can perform just as well as a Pearl Izumi or
Bontrager article for blocking the wind, wicking perspiration, and
keeping you warm and dry whether you’re cross-country skiing,
snowshoeing, or cycling. You don’t need to break the bank or bust your
closet. We aren’t saying you don’t need bike shorts with a chamois,
but you aren’t going to beat the performance of our outdoors
performance wear just because it is a “cycling” brand.
Don’t
forget a facemask, skullcap, an ear band, and warm,
waterproof-breathable windproof gloves. We have plenty from which to
choose and we have the expertise to help.
High
visibility reflective touches on your outerwear and commuter pack are
great ideas. You should also add reflective leg bands (their movement
helps ensure they catch light and draw attention), and a reflective
waist belt or vest. A high visibility rain cover for your pack will
help, although they are sometimes hard to come by.
Footwear and Pedals
Cycling
shoes are usually vented, so you’ll need, at minimum, shoe covers to
block the wind. If you want to go waterproof, we have great Gore-Tex
cycling shoes from Shimano and Pearl Izumi. These use the Shimano
“SPD” system and work really well with a mountain biking pedal, a
campus pedal, or a touring pedal. We can help you choose.
Lighting
Whether
you can see well isn’t the only issue – you want to see and be seen.
There are so many great lights available, and different ways to
configure them, that making a choice may be difficult. We’re here to
help – and if we don’t have the exact match for your needs in stock,
we’ll be happy to get it ASAP.
Bike Accessories
Some
bicycle accessories to consider include studded and siped snow tires
with reflective sidewalls. Oddly enough, you’ll want narrower tires with
less tread work better in snow and on ice, the same as a single rear
wheel pick-up outperforms a dually in snow.
Depending
on the wheels you have now, you may want a different pair of wheels
entirely - sand and grit can eat up rims and brake pads. Fenders are relatively inexpensive and adjust to fit almost any bike. They’ll help keep you, your pack, and your bike cleaner. If you are really into commuting, we have racks and panniers in stock or available to make your commute easy and fun.
Riding all winter long isn’t just possible – it’s fun! Let us know how we can help you discover winter cycling!
