What I learned bike commuting in below freezing temperatures
This year was my first winter living outside Brazil. The place I used to live is fairly tropical. The worst winter night would usually not be lower than 5 degrees Celsius (41 Fahrenheit). So, sub-zero temperatures (below 32 Fahrenheit) was something that I had experienced only a few times before, when travelling.
Before moving to the United States, I started commuting by bike in São Paulo. A crazy city, with lots of traffic and about 20 million people living on the metropolitan area. So, when I moved to Atlanta, I decided to do the same here. People will sometimes says that I’m crazy for riding a bike in Atlanta, because the traffic here is bad and the drivers are bad. While I agree with that, it may be surprising for them to hear that it is way easier to ride my bike here than in São Paulo.
One problem that I never faced there was, of course, the winter weather. At first, I thought about giving up bike commuting because of the cold. I’m living in America, for god’s sake, I should be commuting on a big SUV, comfortable in a climate-controlled environment.
But I decided to not do that. Being very interested in the stoic philosophy (although I don’t consider myself a stoic, not even close), I decide to endure the pain, and keep riding my bike to work, even when the temperature was -7C (19F).
At this point people from some colder parts of the world may be laughing about -7C. But for someone born and raised in the tropics this is really, really cold. And even here in Atlanta, I saw that the number of bikes in the bike rack at the office was slowing dropping to zero as the temperature dropped to sub-zero.
So, here are a few things that I learned, and that in a way or another apply to life in general:
1.Your mental attitude is really the main obstacle
While in Brazil I was afraid of bike commuting in a much warmer winter. Here I decided that I will do it. That was really the hardest part. Once I decided, the rest followed.
I can’t help but think about how a lot of other things in my life could be different, if I just decided that I would do the thing I was afraid to do at the time.
2. But, don’t forget to be prepared
Just like everything else in life, you need to be prepared. If I decided to do it but went to ride my bicycle in below freezing temperature in my regular clothes, it would be unpleasant, to say the least.
You will feel the cold, and every small patch of exposed skin will suffer. Prepare for it.
3. Study your problem, learn how others fixed, try different solutions
Luckily, we are just a few Google searches away from almost any kind of knowledge these days.
I learned about how others were handling the issues like: freezing ears, feet, hands, etc. Layers are not only your friend, they are essential.
I learned that for a day that is cold, but not that cold, only a scarf will do it. Because once you start pedaling, you will get warm. But, for really freezing days, a Balaclava will be necessary. Don’t worry about some weird look you may receive on the streets :)
My “below freezing bike commute kit” contains:
- Balaclava
- Two gloves: one wool gloves to keep the heat. One windbreaker glove on top of that. It’s better to use two gloves instead of only one big glove, because you can remove the wool glove if it gets too warm
- Baselayer pants
- Breathable waterproof jacket. Really, I don’t use a very big jacket, there’s no need for it. Wear something that you feel just a little chili before riding. Your movement will warm you up.
- Lights. Lights everywhere. And reflective clothing. The cars will have more trouble seeing you.
- Shoe covers, for when it rains. You don’t want to have your foot wet and the temperature is below freezing, trust me.
4. Just do it
Really, just get on the bike, put your equipments, and do it. If you are well prepared, it will be more pleasant than you expected. Plus: you will feel a badass.
