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“(Bicycling) during winter is the right thing to do to reduce pollution and my demands on the environment. But beyond that, I still get to work happier than if I had driven my car. Feeling that cold air and rain hitting my face really makes me come alive.”
Meet Scott Verhoef. He is a Sacramento bicyclist who has rode an average of 5 days and 30 miles per week for errands and commuting during this winter. Read on to learn his strategies for staying warm and dry, transporting cargo, maintaining his bike, finding a cheap bike and riding safely in cold and wet conditions.
Scott’s winter cycling wardrobe consists of a few basic items. He relies on a good hat, like the turtle fur hat that his mom gave him, and gloves as well as a lightweight coat and pants to stay comfortable in the rainy season. Scott is especially impressed with his nylon pants because their versatile nature allows him plenty of room to move.
After big-ticket items designed to be waterproof and breathable didn’t perform as promised, Scott started shopping at thrift stores for his winter cycling gear. While many of his picks are made of cotton, tweed or burlap, he isn’t a fabric snob. His only requirements are that garments keep out the wind, trap his body heat and remain breathable when wet.
Scott uses a school backpack to carry cargo throughout the year. In the winter, his pack is transformed into a dry bag with the help of a garbage bag lining. While he tries to keep a plastic bag full of warm clothes in his pack during the wet weather, sometimes he gets caught in the rain without reinforcements. In these cases, Scott powers home as fast as he can.
Scott considers bicycle fenders, especially the rear fender, essential for winter cycling because they keep his clothes, pack and bike from being covered with the grit sprayed up from riding. He has found that covering his rear bike rack with a plastic bag can also serve as an effective fender.
Experience has taught Scott that his bike can easily become trashed during the wet season due to all the debris that gets in the chain, gears and derailleurs. Therefore, he is pretty religious about wiping dirt out of his bike’s mechanical parts with a rag and re-lubricating the chain after a rainy ride. Scott isn’t picky about the types of lubricant that he applies to his bike’s chain; he has used 3-in-1 oil, WD40 and motor oil. Regardless of the type, he makes sure to rub the chain down after application to prevent greasy build up from getting everywhere.
Since rainy conditions are bound to result in wear and tear on bicycles, Scott recommends that commuters ride cheap (meaning $350 or less) bikes during the winter months. He knows of three places to look for such bikes. Many shops around town sell used and refurbished bicycles. Garage sales often yield a big payoff in exchange for a little patience. The Sacramento Bicycle Kitchen offers low priced, rebuilt bikes.
There are a few final words of wisdom that Scott would like to pass on to other winter cyclists. First, always be aware that people will drive the same in wet weather as in dry. Next, allow cars plenty of room, wear bright colors that make you visible and take your time. Finally, don’t take any unnecessary risks.