Eric Tuttle rode into Camp Hill’s Holmes Cycling & Fitness from his five-mile bike commute like he didn’t get the memo that it was cold outside.
He likes riding in the winter and thinks that cyclists should give it a try.
“The hardest thing about getting on your bike in the wintertime is taking the step out, just get out,” said Tuttle, an avid cyclist and employee at Holmes. “Then once you’re out, you’re there, you’re doing it.”
The staff in the shop nodded in agreement.
“This time of year, it’s a little harder to get out,” said Don Kessel. “But once you’re done, you don’t regret it.”
The next most difficult thing might be dealing with the cold weather. Biking in the cold needs some special attention.
“What most people don’t take into consideration when they hop on a bike in the winter is the speed factor,” said Sharyn Kocevar, business manager at InGear Cycling & Fitness in Hummelstown. “It’s actually lowering the temperature.”
In the summer, that cool down is refreshing. In the winter, not so much, especially if riders aren’t expecting it. Riding slower in the winter actually helps riders stay warmer, said Tuttle.
“We like to say that there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad equipment,” Tuttle said.
That equipment includes clothing. The old adage, dress in layers, is an adage for a reason—it works. Tuttle said that he runs a bit warmer, so he may wear less gear than others.
“It’s all different per person,” he said.
Stay Warm
There’s no need to go and buy lots of expensive gear.
Ski clothing, running clothing or just general cold weather clothing is fine. It’s a good idea to have a place to put those layers if you need to shed them. Kocevar has a bike rack with a bag.
“You can incorporate some of your normal cold weather gear but be prepared with what to do with your layers,” he said.
Extremities typically take the biggest beating from the cold.
“When it’s 30 degrees, it’s more of a challenge for your toes, ears and fingers,” Tuttle said.
Hand warmers are a good solution, but Tuttle has a suggestion to make them more efficient.
“You think, ‘My toes are cold, so I’m gonna get those toe pieces that go in my boots,’” he said. “And your fingers are cold, so you’re going to put them there too.”
However, Tuttle suggests placing the warmers by the pulse points at the wrist and ankle. The blood flowing past these points will heat up the entire extremity.
For folks who have more trouble in the cold, heated vests, socks and gloves are available.
“You can adjust the temperature and warm that area of your body that needs to stay warm,” Kocevar said.
Riders also need to keep hydrated in the winter, which also can warm them up.
“I sometimes take a warm liquid and my regular water, and I’ve mixed in a bouillon cube,” Tuttle said.
Worth It
Conditions are another area of challenge for winter biking. Many road cyclists put up their bikes for the winter, but for those who continue to ride, there are a few things to consider. For one, prepare for a different riding experience.
“They don’t do street sweeping in the wintertime,” Kocevar said. “And that’s what keeps the loose gravel and the trash off the shoulder.”
When it snows, even on plowed roads, the shoulder can be gone. Knowing your route is key to keeping safe for the commuting cyclist, said Kocevar.
Conditions on trails can vary, too. Part of the trail can be nice and clear and another part slushy, snowy or icy, making traction challenging. Lowering your tire pressure can help with this.
“When you lower the air pressure in your tire, you give yourself a wider surface area for traction,” said Kocevar.
Preparedness is more important in the winter. With fewer folks on the trails, a rider must know how to change their own tire or make other simple repairs. Walking five miles with a bike in the summer is one thing; walking five miles with a bike in the winter is another thing altogether.
“Carry a lock if you need to secure your bike and go back and get it later and have a phone-a-friend option,” Kocevar said.
This preparedness makes for a better riding experience, so riders are more apt to go out again.
So, where can folks cycle in the winter? Rail trails provide a great option. Their flat terrain and sandy, gritty texture provide an easier ride with more grip.
“Find something small nearby,” Tuttle said. “We live within driving distance of rail trails here—the main thing is to get out and try it.”
If a solo ride doesn’t sound like fun, Holmes has group biking opportunities listed on Strava.com. Included in the mix are social rides, ladies-only rides, training rides and mountain rides. And if a person needs a little courage to make the leap, Holmes is there to help.
“We’re all here to talk about it,” Tuttle said. “That’s what we all do, that’s what we live for.”
In a group, or solo, in the snow or gritty trail, riding in the winter provides exercise and allows riders to continue to do something they enjoy through the winter months. Riders shouldn’t let the season stand in their way.
“It’s worth it, and a lot of people just get nervous to try it,” Tuttle said.
For more information about Pennsylvania Rail Trails, visit www.railstotrails.org/state/pennsylvania.
For more information on Holmes Cycling & Fitness, visit www.holmescycling.com.
For more information on InGear Cycling & Fitness, visit www.ingearcycling-fitness.com.
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