This tip was sent in to us by Doug Williams, a Canadian roadie who knows a thing or two about riding in cool to cold weather. He writes: My Quick Tip is the versatility of (polar) fleece headbands. I use them around my head to keep my ears warm, sure, but one or two of them around the neck seal out the cold air from coming into the vest or jacket. … [Read more...] about Quick Tip: Fleece Headbands are Great for the Neck Too
Winter Riding
How Can I Cope With Early Darkness?
QUESTION: I'm in Louisiana. It's not cold here. It doesn't snow. Winter riding should be easy. But the early darkness is killing me. I feel like it’s dangerous to ride when it’s dark. Worse, not riding on weekdays makes me feel sedentary and I can’t get motivated to ride even on weekends. How can I deal with this? -- Mike P. RBR REPLIES: Roadies hate early darkness more than … [Read more...] about How Can I Cope With Early Darkness?
The Mental Challenge of Dressing for Cold Weather Riding
By John Yoder Winter cycling can be frustrating in northern Indiana, at least for me. It's not just that there are fewer hours of daylight, not just that the high for the day is often 40 degrees with a 20-mph wind from the north, and not just that every cold-weather ride makes my nose’s production of mucus shift into overdrive. … [Read more...] about The Mental Challenge of Dressing for Cold Weather Riding
How to Deal with Cold Feet Cycling: Solutions for Keeping Them Warm
How Do I Prevent Freezing Feet on Cold Winter Bike Rides? QUESTION: I've tried every trick imaginable to keep my feet warm during cold-weather rides -- larger shoes with 2 pairs of socks, battery-powered socks, spray antiperspirant to reduce sweating, plastic bags to cut wind. But no luck. My frozen feet are always the limiting factor in winter riding. Any tips? -- Judy … [Read more...] about How to Deal with Cold Feet Cycling: Solutions for Keeping Them Warm
Use a Spare Wheel and Beater Tire on the Trainer
By John Marsh, Editor & Publisher I bought a new trainer recently. When making the purchase online, I noticed that – like many others – the company offers a "trainer tire" for sale. (Their bread and butter are "old school" back wheel-on trainers.) I did not buy one of the trainer tires. When setting up the trainerfor the first time, and getting my bike ready for … [Read more...] about Use a Spare Wheel and Beater Tire on the Trainer