Winter Cycling
"I wish I lived in Tucson" was the comment I made to Lisa last night. Cold weather is becoming less and less tolerable to me, and when I see people on television who live in warm weather states, I become a bit envious. Phoenix, Las Cruces, El Paso, LA, even Austin. Any place warm and dry would be okay with me.
Oklahoma can be a tough place to live, when it comes to the weather. I have always liked that we have four distinct seasons, but as I get older, it seems like we don't have four seasons. We have winter, which lasts about four months. Spring lasts two weeks. Fall lasts two weeks. And Summer hangs on for seven months. A lot of summer, and a lot of winter, with a little spring and fall sprinkled in there.
The best thing about Oklahoma weather is that you sometimes get a little reprieve in the middle of a season. It is not unheard of to see a 75 degree day in January. Or in July, we might have a stretch of weather with highs in the 80s instead of triple digits. When you live in the Sooner state, you never know.
The most important lesson I've learned about winter weather is that you just have to grin and bear it. It is going to be cold, and there's really nothing much you can do about it. And just because it is winter, that doesn't mean calories go into hibernation. It would be nice if our bodies were wired up to not get fat when it is too cold to go outside. But it doesn't work that way. We still have to burn the calories we consume, and since I hate going to the gym, that means getting out on the bicycle.
I've also learned to not complain too loudly, because it could be worse. I could live in Wisconsin, or Minnesota. Or Alaska. Not that those places are bad, it's just that the winter lasts forever there. No thanks. Oklahoma winters are more harsh than in Arizona or south Texas, but they could surely be worse.
Why is it so important to keep moving, even in the winter?
My street on Christmas Day 2009
I've read some really good articles lately, on the virtues of winter weather cycling. Here is a link to a site which talks about riding in snow and ice. Here is a link to the ICEBIKE website. Here is a nice story from the blog of Fit Chick, who had some interesting experiences on a winter ride. And here is a funny piece from Bike Snob about cold weather riding.
This is Matt. He is riding on a morning when the temp is -7 degrees.
Matthew lives in Ontario, and he rides every day, no matter what the weather does.
The bottom line is that the most difficult part about winter bike riding is making yourself get out. When you're warm and cozy on the couch, it can be hard to muster the stuff it takes to go out into the cold. If you do it right, you'll only be miserable for about five minutes.
Here is what I do to combat the cold.
Oklahoma can be a tough place to live, when it comes to the weather. I have always liked that we have four distinct seasons, but as I get older, it seems like we don't have four seasons. We have winter, which lasts about four months. Spring lasts two weeks. Fall lasts two weeks. And Summer hangs on for seven months. A lot of summer, and a lot of winter, with a little spring and fall sprinkled in there.
The best thing about Oklahoma weather is that you sometimes get a little reprieve in the middle of a season. It is not unheard of to see a 75 degree day in January. Or in July, we might have a stretch of weather with highs in the 80s instead of triple digits. When you live in the Sooner state, you never know.
The most important lesson I've learned about winter weather is that you just have to grin and bear it. It is going to be cold, and there's really nothing much you can do about it. And just because it is winter, that doesn't mean calories go into hibernation. It would be nice if our bodies were wired up to not get fat when it is too cold to go outside. But it doesn't work that way. We still have to burn the calories we consume, and since I hate going to the gym, that means getting out on the bicycle.
I've also learned to not complain too loudly, because it could be worse. I could live in Wisconsin, or Minnesota. Or Alaska. Not that those places are bad, it's just that the winter lasts forever there. No thanks. Oklahoma winters are more harsh than in Arizona or south Texas, but they could surely be worse.
Why is it so important to keep moving, even in the winter?
- Fitness. Spring will be here before you know it, and it stinks to play catch up. 2009 was the first year I can remember where I was more fit when the cycling season started than when it ended the year before. It is a good feeling.
- Weight loss. Or, weight maintenance, as is the case with me. I usually start the spring off with at least twenty pounds to lose. 2009 was the exception. It is always easier to keep weight off than it is to lose it. Since I love to eat, winter riding is essential.
- Economics. Even though the price of gasoline is down from its high of 2008, it has gone up as a line item in many budgets. For me, that is because in the winter, I can't ride to work as often as I do in the warm weather. So I ride, to save money.
My street on Christmas Day 2009
I've read some really good articles lately, on the virtues of winter weather cycling. Here is a link to a site which talks about riding in snow and ice. Here is a link to the ICEBIKE website. Here is a nice story from the blog of Fit Chick, who had some interesting experiences on a winter ride. And here is a funny piece from Bike Snob about cold weather riding.
This is Matt. He is riding on a morning when the temp is -7 degrees.
Matthew lives in Ontario, and he rides every day, no matter what the weather does.
The bottom line is that the most difficult part about winter bike riding is making yourself get out. When you're warm and cozy on the couch, it can be hard to muster the stuff it takes to go out into the cold. If you do it right, you'll only be miserable for about five minutes.
Here is what I do to combat the cold.
- Layers. Usually that means a t-shirt, then a bike jersey, and a jacket or coat. Also, I wear a pair of bib shorts under a pair of bib tights. The tights I use are lined with fleece, and are very warm. For commuting, I wear a Columbia ski jacket, with the liner removed. It is really comfortable. The only downside is that the arms do not allow moisture out, so I often will get too hot, and even sweaty, even in the extreme cold. Also, because the jacket is only effective when exerting a great deal of effort, it might not be warm enough if you have to stop riding.
- Cover the extremities. Normally, my core will be warm, even hot, within five minutes of starting a ride. My extremities, on the other hand, take up to twenty minutes to warm up. On my hands, I wear Pearl Izumi gloves designed for riding in the cold, wet weather. If I had it to do over again, though, I would wear mittens. Mittens are much more effective at keeping your hands warm. On my feet, I wear shoe covers. Ultimately though, your feet are just going to suffer in cold weather. I rarely ever get my feet warm enough. When it is really cold, like, ten degrees, I will put chemical warmers in my shoes. You can get these at any hunting supply or sporting goods store. They offer some relief, but not much. I read somewhere that you can put plastic grocery sacks on your feet, under your shoes, and that helps. I haven't tried that one yet. On my head, I wear a balaclava made for snow skiers. The lower half is made of fleece that is think, and fairly wind resistant. The top is made from thinner material, so that it fits under a helmet. It is very warm. There are some downsides to it, such as moisture from your breath will begin to gather if you have to stop for very long. But it is an easy fix—either pull the mask down below your mouth, or start riding again.
- Move. The good thing about your body is that it is really hot. If you looked at the forecast, and the weatherman said that the temperature was going to be 99 degrees, you would call that a hot day. And yet, your internal body temperature is about 98.6. If you can figure out how to trap that heat in, you're going to be warm and fairly comfortable. Think about it. We drive in our cars when the weather is cold. And the inside of your car, if left alone, will be about the same temperature as the outside. It is only the heat generated by engine that warms the inside of the car. If you drive down the road with the windows rolled down, you're going to let all that heat escape, and you're going to be cold. In the same way, the heat generated by your "engine," that is, your body, will keep you warm, if you trap that heat close to you. The way to trap that heat is to cover up.
It is also important to light up during the winter, so motorists will see you.
The key is to keep yourself focused on the goal. Think about how much easier it will be in the spring, and your body weight is under control. You're in shape when the season begins, and don't feel like you have to start the year off playing catch-up.
You can do this. Let's go for a ride. As soon as this snow clears off a little.
Good article jason. When I was living in another part of Indiana and in the upper part of Ohio i was able to ride almost year around. It was flat. I could go home, providing there was snow and ice, and get in 20-25 miles at lunch time, get a hot shower and get back to my job. But the hills around here are brutal enough in the summer let alone in the winter sucking in that bitter winter air. Since I rely on my voice and lungs for my job, I have to be really careful when I ride. Alas, most of the winter months are spent staring at my steed named Bianchi (hopefully soon a Trek), longing to wear the clothes in my drawer, and making that trip to the Y for an early morning workout with weights, leg press, and stationary bike. I miss riding for the good part of January and February. But it'sa comin'!
Reply to this