Location: Sproatt Mountain, Whistler, BC. Photo by Pat Mulrooney.
Whether your region’s winter means braving cold rain and sleet, or ice and snow-covered roads, with a few changes to your routine it’s possible to keep riding through winter weather.
Why ride:
It might seem like an act of masochism to the uninitiated, but riding your bike on a cold winters day can be a great experience! No matter if you are out for fun or riding for transportation, once you’re bundled up, the time outside can help shake the winter blues and get some exercise.
Rethink your route:
Depending on the conditions, and how your city / municipality plows or salts roads and pathways, your usual cycling routes might not be the best way. Bike lanes are often covered in snow and pathways can be crusted over in thick ice. Explore new routes in your neighbourhood to find streets that are plowed regularly, or slower traffic areas where you can easily take the lane. Also consider areas with better lighting and visibility for riding in dark conditions.
Your new route might take a few minutes longer than normal, but riding on a plowed road will make all the difference over struggling on icy pathways and non-existent bike lanes!
Leave a little early:
If you are riding for transportation, don’t be stressed by getting to your destination in a time crunch. Riding in wet or cold weather means you’ll have layers to fiddle with, mittens or gloves to take on and off, and lights to mount – so it’s best to leave a few minutes early.
Plus once you get to your destination, your gear will likely need to be hung up to dry. An extra 10 minutes is usually sufficient to take care of all this, and get to work with a rosy-cheeked smile on your face.
Prepare for the unexpected:
If you are commuting to work or school, it’s a good idea to stash spare clothes and a towel at your destination for emergencies or days when you forget something. A backup set of blinky lights is helpful too, ensuring you can always get home safe after dark.
Ride predictably:
Bike handling is quite different when riding on wet, icy, or snow-covered roads. Just like when driving, try and anticipate turns and braking farther in advance, so you have time to react on the bike – and drivers around you know what you’re doing.
Also look out for surfaces covered in leaves, road paint, or manhole covers (and any other metal in the road). When wet, all of these can become slippery to turn or brake on.
Be seen:
With limited daylight hours, cloudy skies, and lots of precipitation (be it snow or rain) winter riding is often done in poor visibility. Make sure you can see and be seen with lights and high-vis clothing or bike accessories.
Give your bike more TLC:
For most Canadians, riding through the winter means dealing with salt, sand and other harsh road grit that can get in your bike’s moving parts. If you are riding regularly, plan on doing more bike cleaning and maintenance than you generally would in the summer, especially lubing your chain!
For more tips on winter riding, check out these articles on gear you might need, and winter bike maintenance.