Winter biking, especially ice

[Geonz]

and the layers come in handy if ya fall down, too.
I'm shopping for boots... winter seems to be arriving EARLY this year. Maybe it will visit and then leave for a while, I HOPE.

I second the recommendation for the Nokian tires -- not all studded tires are created equal! Pick one with LOTS of studs and you'll really notice the difference. I used Nokian Hakkapeliitta W240s last winter (link) and they were awesome. Ice felt like riding on normal roads.

General ice/winter riding tips:
1. Watch your cornering on ice and take it slow. Don't be aggressive on ice.
2. Anticipate stops and don't slam on your brakes. Even with studs stopping time isn't what it would be on dry pavement.
3. Expect your bike to feel extremely heavy and slow-moving with studded tires on. This is because it IS heavy and slow-moving, but that's normal. Summer is for speed; winter is for endurance.
4. Slick ice is better than bumpy ice for gripping with studded tires.
5. Avoid driven-on, refrozen snow. That's the worst. A thin layer of plowed snow is the easiest to ride on; a thick layer of snow is doable up to about 6" deep (for me), after which you have no traction and slipping becomes an issue.
6. If your back wheel starts to slip, DO NOT PANIC. Keep control of the front of your bike, pedal steadily, and you'll eventually come out of the slide.
7. Wear layers. Something wicking and breathable in the bottom, something warm and fuzzy in the middle, and something wind/waterproof on the outside.
8. Buy extremely bright lights. Winter riding usually means night riding, if you're commuting, so plan to invest a couple hundred dollars (really!) on a seriously good lighting system.
9. I found the Gore face covering works best for keeping my face warm down to about 15°F. After that the Gore plus a scarf worked down to ~5°F, which is my no-biking threshold.
10. Pay attention to feet warmth. It can be tough to keep feet warm on a bike, so be prepared to war your heavy winter boots on your bike.

Good luck with the winter riding! It can be very rewarding.

[tulip]

Thanks, Sue. I have no problem with the subjunctive in French, but somehow, in English I'm never quite sure.

One more thing about winter cycling--on the very coldest of days (in the 20s for me), I make sure to put on an old cashmere cardigan sweater as one of my layers. It's better than any $200 cycling specific super cold weather gear you can buy. You can unbutton it as you warm up (but keep the top layer zipped) and you will absolutely be toasty.

I got mine at Goodwill for $3. It has holes, but that's okay. Better ventilation. Has to be cashmere, though. Real cashmere.

[blackhillsbiker]

I'm with you on the cashmere. I waited until the end of the season and got cashmere sweaters at Old Navy for about $6 each. They are warm, soft and light. I also like merino wool. Mostly I don't have too much trouble staying warm. I have an old pair of insulated leather gloves that fit over my cycling mitts and are pretty windproof. Smartwool lightweight hiking socks fit inside my shoes. I wear wool tights under my windpants, over my shebeest shorts. I just discovered a buff which is just the thing under my helmet. I add a wool hat if it gets really cold. I think the only thing I really want now (or soon) is studded tires. If you asked me to go out in the cold to walk or hike, I'd look at you like you were crazy. But, if you suggest a ride, I'm the first one out the door. I just can't seem to give up my bike for the season.

Deb