Try these lesser-known tips and tricks you’ve never heard of
Like a Christmas tree, the best winter riding tips are evergreen, and we’ve got all the basics covered here on our Blog. To supplement those tried and true tips, we decided to gather up some more *uncommon* advice. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention! Some quick tips along those lines include: Pre-warming your gloves on your radiator. Donning gian’iggle plastic bags on your feet. Wearing a cloth face mask in lieu of a balaclava.. the list goes on. Read on to hear about some more winter riding quick tips from our community, which we gathered up via social media, and get ready to bike your best and most resourceful winter yet!
*ultra-cool weather insider* tips from the field
We asked our social media followers to share some of their favorite lesser-known winter riding tips. In addition to snot jokes aplenty, you all did come up with some pretty ingenious advice! Here are a few out-of-the-box ideas to help with your winter rides.
Besides a decent glove. Bring something to insulate your toes! Kleenex and paper towels work. I rip up rags and put over toes and slip into my shoes. Put some type of under the helmet ski mask on. Bring a backpack and prepare to get warmer. Throw in hand warmers. Keep your head and core warm and it allows your body to send warmth to your fingers and toes.
– Cory Schreiber
Ski goggles fit well over eyeglasses and keep that part of the face nice and toasty when it gets rill, rill cold.– John William Gardner
For folks like me with bad circulation to the extremities, pogies/bar mitts and insulated cycling boots are a game changer. Also, in my personal experience my torso rarely feels cold, but if it’s not well protected, it will hog the heat from my hands and feet!– Guy Alexander Russo
Always carry tissues (Kleenex) and plenty of them– Rich Jackson
Check your speed when going downhill and avoid leaning in turns. If there’s been a thaw/freeze cycle, watch out for hardened slush. Taking the lane is frequently safer than struggling in unmaintained bike lanes.– Mark Cato
Your route planning may change as the bike lanes get filled up with snow slush– Samantha Smith
Carry a little blowtorch for your U-lock. Nothing worse than a frozen lock cylinder.-John Gray Heidelmeier
If you can roll your bike inside, ideally a basement, dig out that super-soaker squirt gun, get a bucket of warm soapy water & blast all the crap off the bike when you get home. Make sure it dries thoroughly before you head back out into the freezing cold.
– Stuart Strickland
Make sure to wipe down your bike if exposed to salt!! (to avoid rust on steel frames and damage to components)– @eclairerose
Wearing nitrile gloves under your normal gloves can help keep the wind and cold out when temps drop. Just make sure your hands don’t sweat too much.
– @chrispy.dream
Mind your visability on dark days, inexpensive high-viz gear is available at uniform stores and lots of discount stores during hunting season. Also, bring a bandanna to defog your glasses and wipe your nose- which you’ll be doing a lot.
-Ted King-Smith
Do a few jumping jacks inside with your gear in so the cold feels almost like a relief.– @silent.mike
Share Your Tips
Have a winter tip of your own to add to the very cool list? tag us or DM us on social media, @bikepgh!
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