Winter Cycling Tips From Someone Scared of Biking

We all love it when everything is covered in white snow... or hate it, winter is just an unpredictable season. You might be one of those people who store their bikes when the 'frozen season' begins; or maybe you’re one of those people that own a bike but has not used it in a long time. But in our pandemic reality, biking has become a popular activity; one that doesn’t have to stop just because of a bit of snow. 

Honestly, I’ve never biked in Canada before; much less during winter. I come from a country where I grew up afraid of biking; there were no bike lanes (unless you lived in a very privileged neighborhood); no bike racks on buses; and a lot of careless drivers (I've actually seen a lot of accidents). Let's just say cycling was more of an extreme sport than a pleasant day to day activity. 

But here in Ottawa, it’s different. It’s easier to navigate through the city. Even during winter it’s possible to explore the surroundings and get you where you have to go. So I’ve decided that I want to give it a go. If we want to avoid crowded buses and long-freezing walks, why not try winter cycling?

I started where everyone probably starts when looking to get into winter cycling... the internet! So after a deep web search on survival tips, I’m sharing with you the ones that I’ve found really helpful as a first-timer. 

One of the main priorities is taking good care of your bike. Make sure you clean it, lube your chain and gears, and be sure to check in with your bike shop if it’s in good shape. Usually the technicians there will also have a few tips about keeping your bike in top shape for the winter. You definitely don’t want to come across any problems in the middle of your ride. 
*Pro tip, most people who want to bike in the winter get a cheap bike that they can punish a bit. You can find one at the Bike Coop.

Clothing seems like an obvious one, but who in their 20s overdresses during winter? You want to be warm and dry, so go for waterproof, windproof, and better yet, add some thermal wear. These all sound very expensive, but you’ll probably have something in your closet that could do the trick, or maybe layer up with the appropriate clothing. Riding your bike will surely be more enjoyable without thinking about how cold it is. 
*Pro tip, the Free Store has all the winter clothing you could want so feel free to drop by and load up.

Plan your route. The worst thing would be to get lost or find out there’s a detour that changes your plans. Definitely avoid spending more time in the cold than you intended to. 
*Pro tip, the NCC has a cycling map that you can use to find bike routes around the city, including winter ones.

These simple tips will make a difference and if you want more of them check out this website.

Now let’s start enjoying the winter season biking! It’s an escape from the home routine, it’s some physical activity we are all missing and need, and it’s a little piece of freedom in these so strange times.

 

PS: If you’re biking to campus, remember that we’ll be clearing off some bike racks to make your winter ride easier. 

~mariana carrillo - campus sustainability communications intern