6 Great Tips For Biking In Winter

1. Use Lights!

• It gets dark early and may be overcast during the day
• Visibility is important … make sure you have a white light in front and a red light in back
• Add a red flashy light on the back of your helmet

2. Bike Fenders help!

• Avoid the skunk stripe, where you get mud and road filth slung up your back in wet conditions
• Fenders also keep you mostly dry – most water comes from road spray
• There are simple clip-on fender sets, or use a full set on your commuter bike.

3. Dress in the right clothes

• Never bad weather, just wrong clothes!
• Layers! Use light layers on top, with a windproof outer layer
• Wool or polypro wick moisture to keep you comfortable
• You will need warm gloves, a scarf that can be pulled above your nose, a thin hat that covers your ears, and windpants to wear on the coldest days
• Avoid wearing hoods that catch wind and inflate or obstruct your side vision.
• Special shoes help, but not needed. Wear wool socks and use a shoe cover or bootie when it’s really cold.
• Oh yeah, and continue wearing your helmet just like you do every day!

4. Check Your Tires: 

• Your tires may go flat with the change in temperature, because very cold air takes up less room than warm air
• Commuter bike tires or wider tires work well for winter, though some people feel more comfortable with specialized winter tires
• Studded tires help when it’s icy or snowy, as do fat bike tires. Most days regular hybrid, commuter or mountain bike tires work fine.

5. Ride Smart On Ice And Snow:

• Rule number one … SLOW DOWN
• If you do forge ahead, take turns slowly and brake well in advance of stop signs
• Watch for black ice or ice under snow
• Remember not to ride on sidewalks as they are often poorly treated in snowy conditions and may be icier than roads

6. Protect Your Bike:

• Salt and water are very corrosive
• use appropriate chain and gear lubricant for winter conditions
• If you have a fancy bike, leave it at home and use a basic commuter bike

SOURCE: weareiu.com/blog