Cycling in winter is hard at the best of times, but commuting every day to work in the wet, dark and cold? Now that’s tough..or is it? Si gives you the best riding tips so you can stay a little drier, a bit warmer, and even enjoy your ride to work!
00:00 Intro
01:40 Just do it
02:33 Staying dry on the bike
04:40 Keeping your feet dry
06:59 Mudguards for cycling
08:15 Lights for your bike
09:10 Reflective clothing for riding
10:54 Bike maintenance
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How are you finding commuting by bike in the winter? 🥶
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48 Comments
How are you finding commuting by bike in the winter? 🥶
My go-to: Waxed chain.
Thanks Si for the video. I see a rise of those e-bikes that accommodate two-three kids in here in recent years, specially during the summer. I agree that it is totally possible to have a car free life, I am car free last two years and am loving it. ✌🏾
What's the brand of dutch pants and jacket?
I cycle everyday to work in all conditions. I will be honest, its crap in the winter, especially in the wet and cold. It doesn't stop me doing it, but its rotten some mornings and getting back into sweaty gear is not fun either. I am in Ireland so similar to the weather being shown here. But there are pluses, no traffic jams, quicker commute in my area at least and it certainly wakes you up. I have showers in my job so thats definitely needed for me.
Sorry mate, I know where you’re coming from but when you live in the north of Scotland it is just untenable. No matter how many layers of high quality winter cycling gear layers I put on – I could not get or stay warm after leaving the house or work. Maybe manageable in a city but a 20 mile each way rural commute is just not feasible 😢
Meanwhile, in Canada: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sokHu9bhpn8.
It's super easy when el nino is happening!! 😂
nice video thanks !!. Cold and wet greetings from Belgium 🇧🇪 .
I don’t think GCN has done themselves, or cycling, much good by letting Simon present this. He says mudguards are a great idea; but he doesn’t use them. He doesn’t like the way his bike feels! It’s winter for Christ’s sake; it’s pissing with rain. Forget the image, you’re just going to work! Maybe you might even have to do less maintenance if you’d had the sense to use mudguards.
High vis is a great idea, but he doesn’t wear high vis clothing. Forget the one piece of research which you lot at GCN have rounded on which says you’re safer without it. Forget the image. Wear it, and don’t ride like a dick-head – then you’re safe.
If you can’t commit to what you’re presenting, move over and give someone else a go.
Anyone know if there is a video on GCN about that drying room. That sounds like a good idea to have, even at home.
Yes, it is easy. A kid can do it. I did in my teens every week day. 2x5k.
The best way to bike through winter is to start in summer
Can you cover snow and ice more? Your video looked more like you were taking about autumn rather than Winter.
Well, what's seen on the video doesn't quite look like winter to me.
I usually don't skip any commutes regardless of weather but going over 5-10 cm of rough damp snow is almost unridable and barely faster than walking. So, it's more of being stubborn and hoping for the best thing than being reasonable.
Fortunately, where I live, these conditions happen just several days per year during fall and spring. The thickening of the hub grease makes riding at -30°C noticeably harder though. Combined with vibrations from the packed snow, I'd say I lose about 40% of my power on colder days.
Yes get there and do it. Snot rockets and all 😅😂
"Not that bad" is extremely subjective. Avg daily high temp in January in London is 8°C. Avg daily high temp in January in Cleveland is -2°C. Snowfall = 18 inches and 63 inches, respectively.
Mate, you still have leaves on the trees. It's Autumn.
Try again when the roads are sheer snow and ice.
That said…your first point about "Just do it" and the feelings of accomplishment is spot on.
OoooOOO! Alaskan sneakers?!
Not unless they're Xtratuf brand. You're not wrong there.
Ok…all your tips are decent advice.
Additionally;
Plan to layer gloves. Carry spares if you're prone to sweaty hands…riding home with wet gloves sucks.
Make sure your shoes, gloves, and handlebars are warm before you start. Carbon bars conduct less cold.
Studded tyres and a rearview mirror are non-negotiable. Neither is the Varia radar.
Plug your lights in when you get home each evening…make it a habit.
Hydraulic disk brakes are a must.
Any recommendations on base layers. I sweat a lot. So I either wear a rain jacket and ride in a wetsuit or pull the zipper downot and freeze.
Here in Oulu, Finland, going to work or school by bike even in winter is just normal everyday life, and has been so for ages. We are not superhumans, but like a friend of mine (a Youtuber as well) once said, we are just ordinary wimps who happen to be blessed with excellent infrastructure!
Which brings to my mind: Why don’t you people at GCN come over and take a look at the mentioned, probably the world’s best winter cycling infrastructure and maintenance here in Oulu!
Excellent video as always! I commute on a non electric cargo bike all week (8 miles each way) no matter the weather, a tip an old colleague gave me years ago was (this sounds really bad) 'car drivers, treat them all like they are trying to kill you' – to me that tip works all the time, and in winter I pay more attention to it I.e when a car is pulling out look at the front wheels for movement, if you see ice assume that any car going near it is gonna skid on it (and other cyclists for that matter) – even though that probably sounded bad I completely agree with si in saying that ita never as bad as you think it will be, get out there and give it a go!
Mostly agree with the clothing. I think this more or less works to -10C, just warmer gloves, hat and an extra fleece.
Hi-viz jackets are not nice if you need to go out during the day and be more "representative". Maybe there's a niche for a good looking hybrid jacket :). Most normal ones are just too heavy or unpractical.
Flashing lights are maybe good if you mostly ride among cars, but on protected bike lanes, they're annoying, especially flashing front ones.
Bar Mitts, they're the single best things I've bought for my winter commute in Sweden. Haven't had them for long, but I managed my 11km ride without gloves in -2°C without freezing at all. Don't waste your money on expensive gloves or mittens.
If you don´t have waterproof shoes or can´t use them for some reason there are waterproof socks not ideal but they will keep you dry sealskinz makes some pretty good ones
If you need a good backpack thats really rugged and waterproof you can check out chrome industries if you don´t mind the fixed gear courrier astetic (commuting on a fixie is king)
What about advice when it’s icy: spiked tyres? After several falls on black ice I now stick to 4 wheels when it’s below 0…
What about advice when it’s icy: spiked tyres? After several falls on black ice I now stick to 4 wheels when it’s below 0…
Toque, hat, beanie, call it what you will (toque here in Canada) wear one.
In winter I ride a single speed bike with a belt drivetrain and studded tires. Probably more of a bike investment than most people want. The belt is so much less maintenance than a chain. I live in the Northeast US, so lots of snow and slush.
Team fun ride, wet ass ✋
Si channelling his inner "Assos model", after the factory visit all those years ago? 😂: https://youtu.be/Z2LXNNU1hNY?&t=259
You forgot a studded fatbike and loads of clothing, It's -20ºC here in Finland. I do love the feel of biking across a lake though.
Quite liked this one. I'm a dedicated cyclist who doesn't own a motor vehicle but I drive for a living, currently rocking miles in the millions.
I also wear hi viz.
I do this not to save me getting injured at junctions or roundabouts but to make me visible as early as possible.
As a professional driver I find hi viz riders show up in my view field far sooner than dark coloured riders, and that's during daylight hours. During the dark it's not so important, reflective gear and lights more than suffice.
Hi viz isn't a safety guarantee for unobservant cyclists as the data seems to support, but during daylight hours it makes you infinitely more visible.
And by hi viz I mean yellow.
Good ride wet ass pun killed me😂
The most difficult part of winter / cold weather riding is that first 200-300 yards / meters. Once you warm up, not overheating is the issue! The benefits? You have the road to yourself, especially if you have access to bike specific trails. I committed to riding all winter season and yes, sometimes it's difficult, but once you get going, you feel like you're riding the Spring Classics or something. Just do it!
Only 2.9 miles away from work and I have never had the desire to learn to drive. So I cycle (or walk) in the winter . Only racked over around 1200 miles this year and today is my last commute of the year! I store dry kit in my locker as well as spare gloves, socks , buff and skull cap in my locker. But also carry my gore helmet cover with me in case as it is sometimes not easy to get my kit that I am wearing dry in time when I leave work. Carry my change of work clothes with me in my pannier bag too. We don’t have a dry room so I have learnt to adapt as best as I can.
This is the beauty of commuting by velomobile. No need for waterproofs, gloves, and warm clothes. I can ride in a t shirt until at least the freezing point when I switch to long sleeves. Most of the winter I don’t even need gloves. After about 3-4 minutes of pedaling I’m all warmed up. I think my velomobile gets warm before a car heater would even kick in. And bonus, I get there faster than most bikes would get you there, so I’m out in the cold for less time.
As plenty of other comments have already noted: there's winter and then there's WINTER.
Still pretty solid video though.
For short nips in drizzly lower case winter I recommend "rainlegs".
Rainlegs only cover your thighs but that's the part of your legs that gets most wet most quickly.
Rainlegs are much easier to put on and take off than regular rainpants, since you neither need to sit down nor do they ever go over your shoes (which either means taking your boots off (which means you do need a place to sit down) or your shoes get the inside of the rainpants wet when you pull your rainpants on – shudder)
Rainlegs can be put on and taken off in a standing position, so, unlike rainpants, you aren't wearing them inside the supermarket/the train portion of your commute etc, which means you sweat a lot less.
For WINTER conditions I recommend ice climbing gloves. Because whatever can deal with climbing a frozen waterfall is good enough for cycling in freezing rain or blizzard like conditions 😉
Honestly, hi-vis overalls and work jacket are just about the best thing to wear. They're made to be durable, overalls go up your back which is advantageous for riding a bike. You can even get hi-vis waders that are big enough for you to wear shoes inside them, keeping your feet dry and your shoes clean.
Throw in some water-resistent winter work gloves for extra points.
Use panniers, so much nicer than wearing a rucksack, and as both a cyclist and a driver I would never commute without hi viz
love commuting: don't care about the weather, as the big yin said "There is no such thing as bad weather , just bad clothing" most conditions in the UK are ridable with the correct kit and I give my bike a clean and oil every 2 weeks through winter. I also use my commute for all my zone 2 riding for the week.
Couldn’t agree with you more Si, mud guards on a road bike are just plain wrong !!!! Also happy to put up with the wet ass 😂
They’re all alright except ice on the roads. Unless you can teach us to fall off safely (the last two times I fell off; once was two weeks ago and ribs still hurt; the other was at the start of the year and I broke my hand) and be confident that you’re not going to end up under the wheels of a vehicle, you’re not convincing me it’s better than driving to work.
It’s easy cycling in Uk during the winter. Mainly is wet and windy. Waterproof trousers cover are brilliant. I’m using Regatta brand , same as a top , cheap and does the job. Mudguards are essential as well , lights also. Thanks really good video 🙂
riding in winter is wet its cold its dark my bike will get robbed
Commuted to work for over 7 years, 20 miles per day, best time of my life, rain, shine, snow, floods loved it all, the right gear always helps
As I've been bike commuting for over 20 years in Paris, all year long.
You're spot on, about the essentials.
I'm very pleased to see more and more content about commuting in this channel. Way to go, guys!
I've swapped my bike and now go down the canal – a bit off the road then back onto my normal route. Plus trying to keep hold of my Local Legend is an incentive.