Ultrafit: A two-wheel winter commute

With the right gear, riding your bike to and from work in the winter can be a lot more enjoyable than it sounds. Here are some tips on doing it right.

By Stephen Regenold, Special to the Star Tribune

Last update: January 1, 2008 - 7:45 PM

Bike tires hum on snow, and they buzz on ice. But they rarely slip when you’re going straight. Gears click and shift the same in almost any weather. Just remember the lube. And the cold wind? With the right clothing it’s not an issue, according to regular wintertime riders.

In the Twin Cities, thousands of people pedal year-round to work or school, commuting on city streets and plowed trails. New cycling equipment, better apparel and a growing awareness of the feasibility of wintertime riding has caused a jump in participation.

“I used to count bikes as I rode in the winter, as they were so rare,” said Dave Olson, a 57-year-old electrical repairman from Minneapolis who has commuted downtown for 20 years from his home near Lake Nokomis. “Now if there’s new snow, I can see the tracks of at least 50 riders.”

In Minneapolis, Olson is among as many as 3,000 people who commute through the cold months, according to the City of Minneapolis Bicycle Program, a division of the Public Works Department. “In the spring, summer and fall there are close to 15,000 bicyclists traveling throughout the city,” said Don Pflaum, the city’s bicycle coordinator.

“Approximately 25 percent of all bike commuters ride year-round.”

The attraction? Parking is free. High gas prices do not apply. In a storm, two wheels and pedals can be faster for getting around the city than a car struck in a traffic jam.

Winter riding is not without hardship. Evening comes early, forcing workers to pedal home in the dark. Snowdrifts squeeze side streets, eliminating a comfortable side lane for bikes. Frozen fingers and feet are common issues for the unprepared.

But dress right, use fenders and lights on the bike, maybe add studded tires, and commuting in the bleak months can be comfortable and efficient.

“A bike is a lot more stable in the winter than people think,” Olson said.

Not convinced? Here are 10 tips to help you ease into the wintertime cycling scene:

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