Dark, cold, and wet winter mornings might not seem like the best time to hop on your bike, but by spending some extra time preparing, your commute might just become the best part of your day! We’ve compiled a list of gear that will keep any winter cyclist warm, dry, and safe, no matter if you are a road warrior or just starting out.
HELMET:
After your bike, a good helmet is your number one piece of gear. Whether you looking for value or seeking a lightweight or cold-weather specific model, there are helmets for every rider. Remember that you can modify your existing brain bucket for colder days with a liner, or by simply wearing a thin toque or balaclava.
CLOTHING:
Think about your clothing choices next; your goal is to arrive at your destination warm and dry. Multiple layers of sweat wicking material (like merino wool) are best – the air trapped in between each garment helps insulate, and you can remove a layer once you’ve warmed up. For rainy weather, get your hands on waterproof and breathable outerwear. Without proper preparations for severe weather conditions you could become at risk of hypothermia.
LIGHTS:
Unless you plan on doing all your riding in the light of day, you’ll need a set of lights to accommodate for low-light trips. Consider if you’ll be riding a route with streetlamps, or along an unlit pathway. Just like a vehicle, a white headlight and red taillight is standard. For general visibility, 20-30 lumens mounted on your handlebars should do the trick, but if you rely on your headlight to see, you’ll want a minimum of 150 lumens mounted on your bars or helmet. Look for rear taillights in the ballpark of 40 lumens. On the road you’ll want to be seen from 360 degrees, so wide-angle coverage is very important.
FENDERS:
In wet weather you’ll appreciate fenders, which reduce the spray from your tires and help both you and your bike stay as clean and dry as possible. There are fenders for just about every type of bike so let your local independent bike retailer help choose ones right for your frame and tire size.
CARGO:
Finally, you will want to think about how much additional cargo you’ll need to bring along for the ride. For limited gear, a backpack or messenger bag might do the trick. If you need to pack a set of clothing, food, or other essentials, consider installing a rack and waterproof panniers. No matter what you choose, remember to prepare for mechanicals and bring a spare tube and hand pump, tire levers, and multi tool.
Check back next week for the second half of our feature on winter commuting, when we’ll discuss bike maintenance and how to deal with ice, salt, and road grime on your ride.