Overcome 16 barriers to winter cycling on one ride

I get it. Getting starting riding your bike in winter can be intimidating. So I went on a typical ride in the city with a goal of encountering the most common obstacles of winter cycling and then overcoming them to reach my destination.

0:00 Introduction
0:27 Cold body
2:10 Cold hands
2:57 Cold head
4:21 Ice
5:55 Slippery hills
6:30 Deep snow
7:12 Cold neck
7:58 Cars
10:02 Route selection
10:38 Cold feet
11:30 Cold face and eyes
12:57 Maintaining your bike
14:05 Distance and sweat
15:11 Slush and snirt
16:33 Darkness
17:02 Fuel
17:37 Arrival at the destination

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[cosmicjellyfsh]

Saying the pedestrian crossing was for cars was such a great reframe. It’s so true

[Cyrenetes]

Zipper armpit vents on the outermost jacket are a game changer.

[bartmannn]

I've found that it's easier than I thought to "assert your space" on the road in the winter. Usually people in cars get (subconsciously or not) annoyed by bikes in "their" lane - but they're not stupid or a--holes either. When everyone sees the road and bike lane conditions (snow, ice) in winter times, cars keep their distance and they drive way more careful around you. Everyone actually behaves like just wanting to get from A to B _safely_ . And *be visible* on the road as a cyclist, obviously.

[skrufff]

I found my temperature limit a week ago on my 40 minute ride to work. Forecast said -10°C so I thought I'd be fine, but I ignored the wind chill and cold front that made it feel like -25. I had ski goggles, balaclava, thick gloves, winter boots, and warm clothing. I still thought I was gonna die. Sometimes you just need to know your limit. Took the bus home that night and I'm very thankful for the bike racks on buses where I live.

However I can vouch so hard for a front studded tire. It has saved me 3 times so far. The back end will swing out, but as long as you're in control, you'll stay up.

[Surestick]

A couple of points about clothing for cold weather riding:
- Pogies over your bars are a very good way to keep your hands warm with thinner winter gloves for better dexterity on your hands.
- A ski/snowboard helmet is warmer than a cycling helmet with a thin cap underneath for very cold weather. Get one with adjustable vents. They don't always play well with glasses or sunglasses however as they're made for goggles.

[beacher]

yessss ski googles are the best. the cold wind is the worst.

[BrettWightman]

I’m just leaving the house now for my daily commute. I’ve been good to -20C (like Monday) much thanks to this channel!

[newttella]

There is a whole world of 90s, early 2000s mountain bikes for less than $300 that are waiting to be someone's winter commuter. They make great pub bikes in the summer. Once they rust out, send to metal recycling.

[bryan]

Heated ski gloves have been a game changer for me. They keep my whole body warmer.

[logancapizzi]

I've started bike commuting this past year, and your winter videos have been a huge help!

[MathieuTechMoto]

Biking in winter has something special, i love doing bicycle while in a snow storm, this has a romantic vibe !

[RinoaL]

A light and competent ebike makes winter cycling fairly easy.

When living in the midwest, we had extremely cold temps which would require me to wear a full face mask (like for grinding metal) for which ebiking was good because then I'm not exhaling a bunch.

[lakrids-pibe]

I use my bicycle for all transport. Because I'm lazy.

It's just so convenient.

PS: Toque, beanie, wool hat ... in Denmark we call the headwear a *hue* . Clearly the best word in the world haha

[ericotto]

Thanks for the great video. I have cycled a lot in very cold conditions in the winter here in Norway. Studded tyres both front and back are the thing if you need to use your bike regularly in the winter months. I have ridden with a studded tyre only on my front wheel, which is fine until you have to cycle uphill on ice or snow. The only thing I would add is to recommend wearing a hi-vis reflective jacket, cars and other traffic need to see you. Cycling in -15C to-20C will always be a problem for hands and feet but shoes that are larger than normal, with room for good woollen socks are recommended. Safe cycling folks!

[JeansWithPockets]

Hey Tom! Hello from Winnipeg, where it's been -30 or lower for days. I commute 13ish km's everyday in steeltoes, so it gets COLD! Something that's really helped me is Manitobah Mukluk sheepskin insoles. They're well worth the $20, actually keeping my feet almost room temperature to -30. Since you were talking about cold feet.

[Jwee]

Watching your videos inspired me to start cycling to work. Despite the cold, I'm sticking true to my resolution and even made it through a couple days of -45°C windchill weather. Cheers from Winterpeg.

[jez]

I just started winter commuting on my bike this year (mainly inspired by YT channels like these). The main barrier for me in the winter is the commute time. My shortest route takes 1 hour each way on a good day. When there's decent amount of ice or snow on the ground, that can get up to 1.5 hrs. Plus being at work for 11 hours, thats hard to live with especially having a wife and young child waiting for me at home.
So getting an ebike conversion kit and a fatter studded tire on my mountain bike has been a game changer for me. I don't ride fast, but it cut my commute time to just under an hour and its constant regardless of the weather and the amount of sleep I get. Pedal assist is adjustable so I still get a good workout but I'm able to ride more often during the work week. I also look forward to snowy days now (which has been rare in Calgary this year) as it makes for a funner ride.

[econrad]

Hello from Halifax NS! I really love cycling this time of year -- thanks for getting the word out that its not as bad as you'd think.

[augiedog]

One huge note I'd add about cars in the winter, especially after it's snowed, is that they get QUIET. My daily commute is entirely on streets (...while there is a way to get there on paths, it's 3 times as long), and after a fresh snowfall I will really find myself being snuck up on and passed by cars, not noticing them until they're within arms' reach of me. I think there are also some systemic issues, like "pass-itis", where drivers seem hell-bent on passing bikes just for the sake of passing, and this is even more of a problem in the winter. While I do assert my presence in my lane, I've had more than enough people attempt dangerous passes around me, and I often find myself pulling over if a car gets close behind me to prevent that from happening. I think you're absolutely right that riding on the roads is a bad idea, but when you do end up on roads, caution is extremely important, and a mirror is essential if you can get one.

[Friedewulf]

Thanks! Kudos from a winter cyclist in Minnesota USA.
To paraphrase Yosemite Sam, "Ah hates snirt!"