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How to prepare for a winter of cycling

Winter cycling doesn't have to be a negative experience. With the proper preparation, cycling in the cooler months can be a fun, rewarding experience.
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Cycling in the winter can be challenging, but with the right bike, the right clothes, and the right mindset, it can be just as rewarding as summer cycling. File photo.

COCHRANE— Winter can throw a variety of conditions into play and can be challenging for the most well-prepared cyclists.   

Having the right bike is key to navigating the colder months of the year. 

“If you enjoy riding a bike in the summer, the transition into the winter can give you the same level of transportation and the same level of fun that you’re having with just a few changes in your gear, a few changes in your habits and what you expect from it. There’s an assumption that when the snow comes, biking has to stop and that’s not true,” said Ross Stirling, president of Bike Cochrane.  

“Winter is pretty hard on a bicycle. If you’ve got a mountain bike, or if you’ve got an older bike— Winter is not the time to ride your special bike, if you’ve got a carbon frame or you’ve got special components or something like that, maybe you want to use a more durable bike.” 

A steel frame or a regular mountain bike both make good, robust options for navigating wet and mucky roads during winter.

While a fat-tire bikes, a bike with wide tires meant to grip in icy conditions, is a nice option, it is not a necessity, Stirling said. 

For those riding regular bikes, studded tires are the safest option.

“If you’re trying to turn a corner and you hit even a small amount of ice that’s hiding under snow, you’re going to do down, and studded tires change that,” he said.   

Studded tires for all styles of bicycles are available for purchase, but bike shops also sell kits that allow you to convert your existing tires into studded tires.   

Some people have even been known to use small screws as makeshift studs. 

Another option for those who do not want to purchase studded tires, he said, is letting the air out of your mountain bike tires to increase the surface area that contacts the road.

For whatever reason, if you can only get a hold of one studded tire, make sure it is on the front of your bike, Stirling said. 

He added exercising outdoors in the winter can be tricky, as you do not want to sweat too much and get cold. Stirling recommended cyclists dress so they start the ride cold and count on their body heat to keep them warm. 

“Your legs are going to generate a lot of heat that will warm the rest of your body up as long as you’ve got those extremities covered from the wind,” he said. “It’s surprising how little you need to wear sometimes and still stay perfectly warm.” 

However, it is important to take wind into account in the winter especially. 

“The thing to really pay attention to is wind. That just robs you of the heat,” he said. 

Stirling added a good pair of gloves that allow you to work your break levers while still holding onto the handlebars is critical.

Mitts that have all of the fingers in one compartment will force you to let go of your grips in order to break.   

In the winter months, when it gets dark early, keeping front and rear lights in your bike kit is a must.

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