winter cyclists - what is the hurdle?

[lph]

Calling all winter cyclists - and all wannabe winter cyclists! My question is simply: what, to you, is the biggest hurdle to overcome to start cycling in winter? I'm thinking especially of commuters here. Is it the lower temps? More rain and wind? Darker commutes? The need for more gear? Would you rather just do indoor stuff instead, and don't find it worth the hassle? Are you worried about ice, or not being seen?

I'm asking because we have a huge contigent of bike commuters at my workplace right now, but I can see the number dropping off rapidly now that mornings are getting cold. I run our winter bike commuting challenge, and I just now started thinking that it would be fun to try to recruit more people to winter commuting. I'm guessing that many people don't consider themselves "cyclists" and just commute in regular clothing, and get really cold once the temperature drops and they're riding in jeans and office shoes. And I'm also guessing that many people think that winter commuting is really hardcore and you have to have studded tires and really expensive lights and lots of extra gear, whereas in fact in Oslo you can bike for weeks in winter with regular tires and just need some annoying blinkies to be seen.

But you do need - something windproof over your ears and chin, good gloves, warm socks and lights, in addition to normal "winter sportswear", which most Norwegians have for XC skiing. So I'm thinking vaguely of offering a "winter bike shop" for the next two weeks, where I offer to coordinate buying helmet caps, Buffs, gloves and lights, all reasonable entry-level stuff, for the ones who might want to try winter commuting for the first time.

Whaddya think? Would this be a tempting offer to you, that you could come to work, hand over a little cash and be given the basic essentials? Or am I over-simplifying things here?

[Crankin]

I think you might hook a few more. I know that my limits are rain, snow, ice, and temps below 35 F. If I had a short commute, I might be able to ride down to 30, as I have the gear. I think that Voodoo Sally said it best on another thread. Once the roads around here get snow on them, there is a lot of junk on the side of the road; sand, salt, snow/ice piles that make riding dangerous and difficult. People do it, but to me, it's not worth it. If there's a day in the high 30s or the 40s, I might go out and ride my mountain bike on the road, or even my hybrid for a spin, but I actually look forward to having a break from riding, to concentrate on x country skiing and snow shoeing.

[papaver]

slippery roads are the only thing that keep me from riding... nothing else.

[Becky]

For me, darkness is the big factor. I have oodles of cold-weather gear, and will ride during the day on cold days, but I admit to being intimidated by certain sections of my commute when it's dark. DH is too...we've talked about it a bunch lately, and I'm trying to convince him to keep commuting with me. It will be light riding home until November...after that, it's dark and time will tell whether we keep riding.

I think your idea sounds like a great one! Sometimes people don't want to invest a lot of energy in researching something, and will gladly contribute some money to have the decision-making process simplified. I've certainly felt that way many times! Let us know how it goes!

[Miranda]

I think it's a bit of both as posted...

One, having good proper gear makes a HUGE differce. When I first starting riding in general, it was shocking at what techical clothing costs. But, I've tried it without it--just ugly. Once you own it--totally worth it. So, your idea is a good one.

I agree with Crankin too about the snow and ice. There are many days it will be beautiful enough for me to ride, and the gear I own can handle it, but I don't want to crash on that unexpected patch of black ice, or unmelted snow outta no where... and land into traffic.

Well, I guess the only other good cold gear thing I do not own is some different tires, and boots. If Mavic only made my beloved shoes that fit my goofy shaped feet in boots, I'd be buying *sigh*. But, I digress...

Maybe some winter bike handling skills / tips would be helpful too? And something like "best thing to clean road salt off your bike tip, etc.".

Could you distributed an office water cooler survery... "winter riding--what's your show stopper???".

Good luck, lph! Sounds like a good project.

[redrhodie]

I've had a few hurdles. I've ridden all winter for a couple of years, but this will be my first year commuting in the winter. For me, it's the dark. I've bought the lights and have been easing into a darker commute. So far, so good.

At first, the cold was my hurdle to winter riding. I was so surprised to discover I actually prefer extreme cold to extreme heat. Who knew?!

I still won't do snow or ice. I could see someday getting studded tires and getting over that hurdle, but it will have to be once I'm totally confident in the dark.

[Yelsel]

Whaddya think? Would this be a tempting offer to you, that you could come to work, hand over a little cash and be given the basic essentials? Or am I over-simplifying things here?

I think people would want to have things "oversimplified" -- one of the biggest barriers is probably not wanting to research / figure out how to set up for commuting in the winter. Another added bonus is "buying into" the winter commuting. If someone spends the money on the package, and there is a whole group of people for "positive peer pressure," that person will more likely commute at least some of the time during the winter.

A workshop on setting up bike and self for winter commuting would also be good. That way people could get standard information efficiently, decide whether to buy the package, and get any questions answered.

Biggest concerns for me: mechanical failures, especially (canti) brakes icing over. Best setup for bike for different weather conditions (skinny tires vs. studded tires for one). Whether to ditch rear derailleur (I don't have a front one) -- internal hub, fixed gear, or single speed -- leaning towards fixed gear which can also help with brake problems. Alternate means of getting home if weather is too bad to ride back home, or if there is an emergency. (Here we can get a couple emergency coupons for a taxi, bus, or light rail every six months.) Keeping batteries charged in cold weather. Lowest temperature / worst weather I can reasonably commute in with my current gear (hoping for 0F, medium snow, moderately heavy rain).

[shootingstar]

Snow (which we don't get much of) and particularily black ice is a hurdle. In the winter, I tend to bike regularily on weekends when there's daylight..even though I do have bike lights. I like to see alot more ahead of me in advance where I'm going and if will hit an icy patch. However will do short distances during the wk. if it's dry.

I cycle in temp. down to approx. -5 to -10 degrees C. I cut down my distances to under 20 kms. per ride.

After all, we don't have a car and there are certain errands to be done by bike.

If I really spent more effort to wear/buy certain clothing to be alot warmer, it still wouldn't solve the problem of fear of snow/ice. Don't have studded tires. Probably will not get them.

Maybe you could partner up with a local outdoor apparel/sportswear store on the clothing side.
Offer a group lunch hr. short bike ride..so that people can try it together. A pre-Christmas ride might kick in the spirit with hot chocolate afterwards. (is hot chocolate typically Norwegian???) Would I join in such ride --sure!

I've been at a workplace where during Bike to Work Week, there was an organized group bike ride in a lovely local park nearby with a path. 8 people in the group. But this was in the late spring.

[buddha_bellies]

The only thing that will stop me from riding is snow and ice. It's amazing how drivers go bezerk here when there's a little bit of snow on the ground. We're not use to having snow and to top it off, our city's snow removal program is not the best. They will plow the main road but not the side road. And because our temperature is always just below freezing, we have the thrawing and re-freezing on the road, making it very dangerous to ride on, or drive on for that matter. The road would have a thin fresh layer of snow but it's packed with black ice underneath. I think I would rather snowshoe to work on those days.

But if your city doesn't have that problem and riding studded tires would help, I would definately try that.

And I find the most important is proper clothing. Warm gloves and headbands are a must for me. AND FENDERS!!! I can't say how much that has helped me staying dry. Who knew front fenders would do so much wonder!

[malkin]

The changing road surfaces scare me, but I'm terrified by the out of control motorists!

[Trek420]

We truly can ride year round here. Sure, it gets cold, rainy, hail (no snow) but Winter mornings can be ideal. It's going home in the dark, My route has some isolated bits.

I could ride to work then throw Bradley (my tank of a commuter bike) on the bus which goes direct from train to home.

[Onix]

Not knowing EXACTLy which winter gear (clothes mostly) I need/would most benefit from. (Yes, people have differing opinions on this...but, some gear set ups (like ones made for cycling!) are better than others).

Then, in the past when I bike to work (4 miles) (with some appropriate gear---good cycling wind breaking outershell, winter gloves that I have determined suck) etc..... I FREEZE. Or, parts of my freeze. (I end up with red hands that are FROZEN for far too long afterwards. (Keep in mind my circulation sucks, and my skin is super sensitive). But, I also end up with massive dry-peely face. This year, I'm thinking about biking with my winter ski goggles and neck warmer pulled up to them.... at least to avoid the face pain.

And, I plan on buying better gloves and more actual winter gear....((Which would be awesome to have someone giving a workshop on to get informatioN!!!) Props to you!

[Eden]

Onix - since your commute is short, reusable hand warmers might be just the trick for your cold fingers. There are these http://www.rei.com/product/608751 , but I think I've seen some that you can throw in the microwave. They tend to be a bit bulky compared to the disposable ones, but if you put them on top of your hands they shouldn't affect your dexterity too much. Also, wear a glove liner, then the warmer, then a glove for safety - no warmer directly on your skin - and maximum effectiveness.

I'm a year round commuter. We also have pretty mild winter weather around here, so I don't have much beside rain and dark to contend with. Only deep snow (when its up to my hubs I just can't go anywhere.... and when we do get snow it tends to be the sticky heavy stuff) and widespread ice will keep me off the streets. My very first commute to my current job was in a monsoon.... kept a lot of people who drove from even getting to work...

[Tri Girl]

lph- I think that's a great idea! I think if you had some of the best, most basic things to help winter commuters get going- it might entice some of them to get out and ride more.

The cold is the biggest issue for me (duh- it's winter). Toes and fingers get so cold that it's uncomfortable. I've tried many different gloves and socks and no luck. Maybe offer some really good toe and finger options for people.

Good on ya for getting this together!! Let us know what you do and how it turns out.