Winter is Here!

For those of you choosing to continue to commute this winter, now is the time to winterize your ride, or if your have a really good ride, time to store it for the winter and bring out the beater.

Winter conditions can wreak havoc on your drive-train. Slush and ice, and salt and sand can get into everything. Make sure you have cleaned and lubed you chain, shifters, brakes and cables.

You also want to make sure that you change your tires for something with more traction like knobbies or even some winter tires with studs. Since most of your control comes from the front, you want to make sure that your best traction is on the front first. Studded tires can run you some good coin, so if it is a question of back or front only, go with the front tire studded first and put a knobby on the back.

I recommend a rear fender that mounts to the seat post so that it gives plenty of clearance between it and the rear tire. That way it will not get packed in with slush and ice. I also have a cheap thin plastic guard on my down tube. It mounts easily with the provided velcro fasteners and it cost around 1 dollar. Low-tech, but works like a charm. Now most of the stuff coming off the front tire is blocked and drips down underneath as I ride.

Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) is an unbelievable resource for the cycling accessories for all seasons and for their knowledgable staff. Most of my bike accessories has been purchased from MEC.

Above all, you also want to prepare yourself for the weather. This means not only layering to keep you warm, but also make sure that you wear a waterproof outer layer like Gore-Tex riding gear and a good pair of gloves that allow you to use your shifters and your brakes.

Lighting during the winter is especially important. It is always a good idea to have multiple front and rear lights for better visibility. Maybe a rear flasher on your seatpost and one on the back of your helmet or backpack. For the front, use good strong lightning either on your handlebar, helmet or a combination of the two. Good reflection on your outer layer is always good as well.

You will enjoy it more if you are better equipped to deal with all that winter throws at us. Above all, do not take any chances especially in slick conditions. If you start to slide you can just put your feet down for better control. If a car, truck or bus is sliding, chances are they are not stopping until they hit something.

Just take extra caution on snowy days, or better yet, take public transit on those days.