I came to a realization this past week. I dug out my warmers, after months of
easy wardrobe decisions, of simply throwing bibs and a jersey. It wasn’t easy. As I sat, assembling my ensemble for my
morning commute, I had to be honest with myself. This season is in its last throws. As Ned Stark aptly warned, brace yourselves. Winter is
coming.
You needn’t worry like our friends of Winterfell
though. Luckily, Philadelphia off
seasons are manageable—if you have the right equipment. Like commuting, cold season riding can
be miserable or wonderful depending on your preparation. This week I’ll give you five oft
forgotten things to get you through this transition to cold weather.
Training tires |
If you are anything like me, you take your rubber very
seriously. First impressions are
important. Think of your tires,
and how they are inflated as the roads first impression of your bike. This importance is only amplified, as
the weather turns wet and cold.
Having your tires and tire pressure geared up the off-season is a
must.
Buy a set of fat durable tires—if you don’t already have
them. Find the biggest ones you
can fit into your bike without causing any rubbing issues. Fat tires offer so many advantages
during the fall and winter. The
higher volume allows you to run lower pressures without worrying about pinch
flats when the weather turns wet.
Go for durability as well.
Changing a flat in the cold is literally painful.
Once you’ve made your rubber selection, it’s time to dial in
that air pressure. Topeak makes a
digital pressure gauge that we love in the shop. It works for both Schrader and Presta valves, and allows you
to dial into your exact pressure with a nifty release button and tune feature. This is an absolute must have for cross
and cold weather MTBers, where a pound of pressure can make such a
difference. Don’t forget to dial
in your road bike pressure either.
There are some serious comfort and performance advantages hidden in
those tires.
Embrocation is a gem that many people still overlook. Nothing says cold weather to me more
than the smell of embrocation. I
know I’ve said it here before and I will surely say it again, but this stuff
can really make or break your comfort on a ride. It stimulates blood flow in your legs, which will not simply
help keep you warm, but offer performance advantages as well. It does wonders when riding in wet and
grimy weather. Always apply after
chamois cream. Trust me.
Gloves seem like a go big or go home kind of accessory, but
they’re not. In addition to a deep
winter glove, you need something for the intermediate temperatures. Hot sweaty hands in gloves that
are too heavy mars a ride just as much as cold hands.
There are plenty of manufactures around that offer “tweener”
gloves for the fall. Check out
Capo’s thinner neoprene glove for wet conditions or a simple wool liner for
brisk fall morning rides.
Cannondale Scalpel 29'r. The hottest MTB around. |
If you’re still not convinced that riding on the road in
cold weather is realistic for you, then don’t. Ride in the woods!
Climb on a new MTB or cross bike and hit up the Wissahickon. The woods always feel quite a bit
warmer than the road on account of their being no wind. Throwing a leg over a fat tire bike
also does wonders for end of season burnout—if you suffer from that kind of
thing. Aside from all these
advantages, it’s just fun as hell.
Don’t waste another fall and winter inside on a
trainer. Embrace the seasons and
get out there. Because like it or
not…
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