Travis Poppe's Personal Homepage

A few words on winter cycling in South Eastern Idaho

Because I use a bicycle as my primary mode of transportation, hanging up my bike in the winter isn't really an option. Even if it were, I'm not sure I'd give in, as the idea of "seasonal" bicycling has always annoyed me. Granted, this "seasonal" idea probably stems from the fact that--in the West--bicycling is viewed by the majority as a sport or recreation, not an automobile alternative. Even so, there are plenty of cold weather sports and recreational activities that occur during the winter; why is cycling any different? The answer: it's not!

Not only is cycling in the winter entirely doable, it's not much of a challenge at all for those of us in South Eastern Idaho. The four main concerns in the winter are as follows: ice, snow, temperature, and road salt--respectively in my location. Ice and snow are occasional, the temperature is usually around or above 20F, salt use is relatively moderate, and most ice melts quickly. For the ice that is present, studded bicycle tires are now relatively cheap, thanks to Bike Nashbar. Though I probably don't need studded tires 99% of the time, there are definitely a few occasions where I was glad to have them. Dealing with snow depends on the type of snow, the amount of it, and whether or not cars have driven through it. It really isn't a problem most of the time, especially if it is untouched or packed down. For the slushy/wet days, fenders go a long way. They also help reduce the amount of maintenance needed to protect your bicycle from the problems salt can cause. Keep in mind that there are numerous people who ride in conditions that are far less favorable than the ones I just mentioned. See ICEBIKE for more information.

Now, I know some of you probably saw 20F and thought, "That's below freezing! Is he mad?" While I may be a tad crazy, it doesn't help much once you realize how insignificant cold can be when riding a bicycle. If you're dressed properly, the heat you generate while cycling keeps you plenty warm. While winter cycling attire varies greatly between individuals, I've found that nothing particularly special has been needed for 15-32F. All of the clothes I wear are regular, aside from a few key additions:

• Waterproof, breathable windbreaker jacket
• Dexterous ski gloves
• Beanie
• Thin Balaclava/Face Mask (for below 30F)
• Various extra layers, depending on distance and weather conditions (wool sweater, wicking pants, etc)

The first mistake I made--the same one most people make--was overdressing. I bundled up like I was going to tour the arctic, and I ended up getting way too hot after only a few miles of riding. Searching the Internet, you'll find that there are many clothing combinations and recommendations for winter cycling, most of which I have found unnecessary for where I live and the distance I travel. Granted, I tend to sweat more than most people I have met, regardless of the time of year, so I may have just lucked out [because I generate a lot of heat]. A lot of people have problems with their feet getting too cold, but I've yet to encounter this with regular shoes and socks. While this topic is far too in depth to cover here, I wanted to provide a brief outline of my own, personal requirements. As a rule of thumb, you should dress so that you're slightly cool before you start riding. You should also avoid cotton, but I've practically ignored this rule due to my own experience, the distance I ride, and temperature. See ICEBIKE if you want to know more.

For those who are curious, my daily commute to and from work is 8 miles total, 4 miles each way. I've "wimped out" a total of one day so far due to cars reportedly sliding off the road (I ride on relatively busy roads). I've done over 1,000 miles of commuting/recreation since May of 2006, which is the month/year I became "serious" about cycling. A recent photo of my bicycle can be found here. [Note: this isn't really recent anymore; it was my first entry-level bike, though I still use it in bad weather].