How to Get Your Bike & Yourself ready for Winter in Chicago
Riding your bike through Chicago winters is easier than you might think!
When I first started commuting by bike, I told myself I’d keep riding as long as the weather didn’t get too bad. Slowly I built up my winter wardrobe & adapted my handling skills so before I knew it, I was riding in the middle of February navigating snow covered roads and facing the worst wind Chicago could throw at me.
Why commute by bike in winter at all?
You may be wondering why anyone would choose to ride their bike through the winter for any reason other than pure stubbornness, but there’s actually lots of benefits to sticking it out! All the reasons it’s great to commute by bike in the summer still hold true once the temperature drops – you are getting extra exercise into your daily routine, it’s better for the environment, a bike is cheaper to own & maintain than a car, etc. – plus some extra ones.
One of the best things about riding while it’s cold out is that it helps you acclimate to the cold. When riding regardless of weather, your body slowly gets used to being in that kind of environment.
Riding in the cold also gives you such a great sense of pride and accomplishment knowing that nothing — not even one of our brutal winters — can stop you from riding your bike
How to get yourself ready
Dressing appropriately is half the battle to riding in the cold. You don’t have to bundle up as much as you might think you do since when you get moving you’re going to warm up pretty quick. I always feel like my body turns into a space heater and all I need my clothes to do is to trap that heat & block the wind.
The best way to trap the heat your own body is generating is by wearing layers. Layers are warmer than one thick jacket because the air trapped between each layer acts as an insulator to keep your body heat in & the cold out. Plus, you can start shedding layers once you start warming up.
Another important thing to manage is the wind. Your face & hands are going to get coldest the fastest from wind so you really have to be sure to protect them! A nice set of gloves is a good start – these lobster gloves are great for when the weather gets super cold, they are warm like mittens but allow you to still move some fingers independently so that you can still use your shifters & brakes without your gloves getting in the way. For your face, a buff is a great option to keep your mouth and nose warm since it keeps your breath warm & that warm air will heat up your face.
Visibility is super important! A lot of warm cycling apparel is black, so you have to make sure that you layer up with something that will make it super easy for cars to spot you now that the sun is setting earlier. Anything hyperreflective from Bike Lane Uprising will turn you into a beacon for cars, which is great!! We stock their frame bags, fanny packs & windbreakers in our shop for you to come check out.
How to get your bike ready
If you’re going to make one change to your bike to get it winter-ready, I would recommend getting winter tires. Even if you decide not to ride during an active snowstorm, it’s very likely you’ll find yourself riding on slick streets that have yet to be cleared after the storm. While the city of Chicago is usually pretty good about at least getting the main roads cleared of snow early in the morning (usually being the operative word), you may still find yourself riding on slush if you have to navigate side streets. For that reason, you want to get something wider & with some amount of tread. Wide tires are great because they have more surface area to prevent you from sinking into the snow & even a little bit of a knobbier tread will go a long way in making sure your tires don’t slip around. Knobby tires won’t fare great on ice though, that’s what studded tires are for. That being said, studded tires are a struggle to install and they become less effective when you ride them on regular pavement since it dulls the studs. In Chicago, our roads don’t regularly ice over enough to warrant the pain that is installing studded tires.
Every bike is different, however, and won’t be able to accommodate every tire out there, so be sure to come into the shop with your bike to get a recommendation for what will work best with your bike and what your winter riding goals are.
Visibility is still important to keep in mind when setting up your bike for winter, not just when getting dressed. Your goal should be for cars to notice you and while wearing reflective clothing is a good starting point, getting a good set of bike lights is imperative. The human eye is fine-tuned to notice movement and changes in the environment, therefore, a flashing light can catch the attention of a driver much sooner than if it were simply a steady beam. With that in mind, even a dimmer light will work well if it flashes and any light is better than no light at all. Even in the best conditions, drivers are likely not looking out for cyclists so you have to stack the deck in your favor when you plan on riding after dark in the cold & snow.
General Tips:
Start Slow! Don’t dive in all at once when temperatures dip below freezing; it’s way easier to ease yourself into cold weather riding when you simply adjust your summer riding routine as the weather slowly changes.
Go slow!! The roads are going to be a bit like a slip n’ slide for a couple days after a big snow or rainfall. Go around corners slowly. Stop earlier than you need. Proceed with extra caution and plan for your commute to take extra time in the winter.
Have Fun:) Riding your bike is one of the simplest joys there is, don’t let a bad experience in the cold ruin it for you. If you’re having a hard time getting through the snow or getting out of bed when you know you have to ride in the cold, there’s no shame in leaving your bike in the garage. Start small & stop when it’s not fun anymore, your bike will be waiting for you when everything thaws.