Now that the weather is starting to turn bad (cold weather, snow, winter-mix, ice, etc.) it is important to be safe when you are on the roads. Most of us do not have the luxury of riding during the day when the temperature is nice and the sun is out. Most of us have to cram in a ride before work, during the early hours of the morning, or after work when it is starting to get dark and cold outside. As a fellow commuter, and a wife of a cyclist that goes out when it is still dark outside, I worry about all of the bad things that can happen to us while on our bikes. But there are a few key things that we can do in order to make our rides safer and give our significant others a small peace of mind.
When you are riding early in the morning or late at night, it is important to have proper gear. Reflective clothing is a must so that others can see you and are aware of where you are at all times. In addition to reflective clothing, it is also important to wear brighter colors so that you are even more visible to motorists. Next, you should have two lights on your bike (one rear light at a minimum). On the back of your bike, you should have a light that has the ability to blink. The blinking light can be seen from a good distance away and can catch the eye of a motorist. Additionally, you should have another light in the front. Some people will buy a light just so other motorists can see them, but others will buy a light that will allow them to see where they are going. One light that I would recommend is the NiteRider Road Rat, which has a 6 Volt Halogen light that is bright as hell! The only downside to this light is that is has an external battery back that will have to hang on your bike. But in my opinion, a little extra weight is far better than being hit by a car.
Another tip for safe riding in the winter is to watch the weather and know what is in store for you before you go on your ride. Planning ahead can make for a better ride and a happy cyclist. One thing to watch for is ice on the roadways and bridges. This is not only dangerous for you, the cyclist, but is also a hazard for motorists which can be your worst nightmare. Remember that even though the roads may be dry around your house, they might not be in more remote areas that have dense tree coverage. I have been on several rides where I have come across patches of ice when I was not expecting it at all. Sometimes the shadows of the trees can camouflage ice and make for a bad spill on your bike. If you come across ice patches on the road, slow your speed and use extra caution. Watch for motorists and make sure you have plenty of space between you and your riding buddy.
Finally, having the proper cycling gear for winter riding is a must! As most of us have experienced, our feet, hands and face are usually what suffers the most on a cold, windy ride. Some essentials to stay warm on the worst of days include: base layer (Craft is a good brand), good pair of cycling tights (running tights can also be used, but sometimes are a little on the thin side), something to cover your ears/head/face (Pearl Izumi makes some good stuff), toe covers and booties to go over your cycling shoes, wind blocking gloves (Gore and Pearl Izumi have some really nice gloves), long sleeve jersey, and a wind blocking jacket or vest. Craft, Pearl Izumi and Gore make up most of my cycling wardrobe and I have been very pleased with the quality and durability of these items. Additionally, having knee warmers, arm warmers and a thin pair of base layer gloves are nice because you can take these on and off as you please without having to make a whole wardrobe change. A final item that is nice to have, especially if you are commuting, is a rain suit, which is basically water resistant jacket and pants that you can use on the bike and will keep you dry.
Winter riding can be both enjoyable and safe! Please make sure that you are taking the right precautions when you hit the road this winter. Remember that you might have to give your bike a few additional “baths” during the winter due to the salt and road gunk. Try to avoid going out if conditions are questionable, and remember ALWAYS wear your helmet. Happy Winter Riding!!!
Until Next Time,
Beth Atnip
1 response so far ↓
zappoman // January 10, 2007 at 10:05 am |
Great post. Particularly the comment about “Remember that even though the roads may be dry around your house, they might not be in more remote areas that have dense tree coverage.” This is exactly what happened to me last month when I crashed twice on the ice… it was beautiful near my house, and icy and snowy near my work.
One other tip. Socks: I used to get really cold feet even though I thought I had good socks. The local bike shop suggested I switch to SmartWool… and I will never go back. They are great. Also make sure you have enough room in your shoes with your warm socks… you don’t want to cut off circulation to your toes.