Yesterday, we asked our Twitter peeps (“Tweeps,” if you want to get technical about it) what they were doing to get through the winter on their bikes. After all, on most of our commutes to work Tuesday morning, we were dealing with 18 degree temperatures and a 16 mile-per-hour headwind.
There are typical ways to deal with this — I personally strap on two pairs of gloves in the waning days of winter, and try to cover my face with a scarf; I’ve been told to line my foot with a plastic bag before putting on my shoes, too, but haven’t tried that yet.
Below, check out some of our followers’ tips for better, warmer cycling in the winter months, as it continues getting down to 18 degree mornings, and lower.
@bcgp #wearyourbalaclavatoworkday
— Hayley Germack, RN (@hgermack) January 19, 2016
What’s a balaclava, you ask? This.
@bcgp ushanka hat! Ear flaps, chin protection = key — Danya Henninger (@phillydesign) January 19, 2016
And a ushanka hat? One of these. (Note: Probably won’t fit under your helmet.)
@bcgp Rode from Center City to Navy Yard. Fierce head winds around the stadiums.
— Philip Pierdomenico (@PhilPierdo) January 19, 2016
It was windy! Wore good layers to keep warm but that wind really worked me. Wish I’d had a mug of coffee with me. https://t.co/VLqTJwfgOq — Travis Southard (@tsouth) January 19, 2016
Yeah, mugs of coffee can fit on bikes! Check them out here.
Update: Riding southbound home was easier, but still very wearing. Wind today feelsnlike it is coming from all angles. Ride safe. @bcgp — Travis Southard (@tsouth) January 20, 2016
Biking in that wind was rough. Sheepskin mittens & leg warmers for me. Wrapped the kids in sleeping bag in the bike. https://t.co/N1XmZb3UAA — Kate Mundie (@katebikemom) January 19, 2016
Are mittens really that much warmer than gloves? According to USA Today, yes.
@tsouth @bcgp Had nice dinner @GPsRestaurant that happens to be near my home @CitiBikeJC dock. Coincidence? Cold incidents. #bikes4bizness — BikeJC (@bikejc) January 20, 2016
Then there’s just, well, not traveling too far away from your home.
@bcgp https://t.co/dIqar2TzzW — Neil P. Bardhan (@NeilPBardhan) January 20, 2016
Stay warm out there! And if you have more tips for bicyclists in the Greater Philadelphia region, tweet them at us!
Stay warm by wearing an Ultra Clava (or growing your beard out) and putting heat packs in your gloves. The bike is more stable in the snow if you run your front tire at the low range of the allowable pressures too.