Fall/winter riding gear and tips
I've searched for past threads and didn't come up with anything (I bet someone here will know a link, though), on fall/winter riding now that the days are shorter and the nights will be getting chilly. I have a good headlight, nice & bright, and a good blinky tail-light. Also have tights, arm and leg warmers, and just ordered a long-sleeved base shirt that wicks from Patagonia. I'll be tracking down a band or something to cover my ears and something for inside my helmet, some toe covers and gloves with full fingers.
Anybody have any other items of clothing or gear they find really helpful?
Also, please share whatever lessons you've learned about riding at night that might be helpful. I've gotten a lot of miles in since the spring when I started riding, but don't have any experience in the winter months.
Thanks!
cold water & silver linings
First the cold water: riding at night, in cold weather means you will lose speed. All those layers make your legs slower, and even with 20-30W of light you have to slow down so you have time to react to road hazards that are only visible in your light cone. My winter commutes are anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes longer than my fall commutes.
So why ride outdoors in the dark when you could train better indoors on a trainer? Because it is outdoors, and it brings a new set of challenges and skills. I don't mountain bike, but I do ride across ice covered streets with rain or snow falling. It demands a round pedal stroke. Here in the Boston area it is really only 1-3 months. I regard it as the season I work on improving some of the riding skills I let slide in the summer when I may be thinking more about endurance or speed.
Specific tips on cold night riding:
1 Be sure to check your brakes before you leave, moisture in cables can
freeze, locking your brakes.
2 Have 2 headlights & 2 taillights, so if one fails you still have something.
3 You can not have enough reflectors, it is not possible to overdue it.
4 A loud horn is even more important. I use a 12V car horn.
5 Don't forget to use layers on your hands. Invest in thin underliner gloves,
they will add lots of comfort with less awkwardness than heavier gloves.
6 Pack like you are going on tour. Mechanical problems with sweaty clothes are an invitation to hypothermia. Carry at least a dry top and pants. A spare pair of gloves or mitts can be a finger saver if you lose one while turning a bike over to change a tire in the dark.
7 Be extra careful to keep your cell phone charged. Consider calling for help rather than risking hypothermia dealing with a simple problem you know you can fix yourself. Cold and darkness will make it take at least twice as long as normal.
8 Go to the library and get some books on wildlife at night. Learn what to watch for in your area. Stop to listen. Winter brings a profound silence, punctuated by the owls, coyotes, fox and other nocturnal animals. While at the library check out the star maps too. Winter skies are often less smoggy and if you ride out the light pollution you will see brilliant skies.
9 This is the season to ride for the love of riding. It will reward you in its own ways not easily measured in speed, HR, time, or distance, but hard to measure bike handling ability.
