Bike commuting is one of the best ways to improve your health and reduce your carbon footprint every day. While it’s easy to do during the warmer months, commuting during the winter poses some pretty unique challenges. With the right comfort bikes for men and a few simple tips from the pros, biking to work during the winter can be both doable and fun. Here are a few key tips you’ll want to follow from the get-go.
Start Earlier
If you think that the weather might change on your way to work or are dealing with forecasts calling for storms, be ready. Start commute earlier than you normally would. This will give you a little extra time to get to work without having to rush in potentially unsafe conditions or on icy roads. If you’re not sure how much extra time you need, think about what the road conditions will be like. If there’s ice, plan on traveling at least one mile per hour slower than you normally would and adjust your departure accordingly.
Get the Right Bike Accessories
The key to successful winter bike commuting lies in having the right tools and equipment to make the ride safe every time. If you haven’t already, invest in a quality bike light system to help you stay visible in low-light conditions. Make sure you have a flat repair kit to fix your tire on the go. If you can, upgrade your tires to ones with more traction to help you grip the road in bad weather. All of these tools are compatible with comfort bikes for men and women, regardless of style or design.
Dress in Layers
When you’re starting out in the morning, you can expect temperatures to be lower and gradually warm up by the time you get to work. This means you’ll need to dress in layers so you can get to the office without freezing or arriving overly sweaty. Wear a moisture-wicking base layer to keep your core dry and cover it with light, easy-to-remove warmer layers. If you get too warm on the ride, you can take one off and continue on your way.
Grab a Good Pair of Gloves
Nothing is worse than trying to ride your bike with cold hands. The colder the weather is, the faster your hands will start to get chilled and once they do, gripping the handlebars and braking will be much harder. Instead of riding your bike with bare hands, wear a pair of dedicated biking gloves. These gloves are thinner than standard winter gloves, helping you maintain control at all times. If you know you’ll be riding in rain or snow, look for waterproof versions of those gloves if possible. You can buy them anywhere that you’d find men’s or womens bikes for sale. They may cost a little more than standard gloves, but you’ll notice an immediate improvement in comfort as you ride.
Commuting on comfort bikes for men and women is still doable during the winter months. Just make sure to keep these things in mind and you’ll be able to enjoy your commute just like you would during the summer.
