Winter is here, but don’t let a little rain and lack of sunshine stop you from riding. Instead of huddling indoors, make a few adjustments to your bike and throw on some rain gear to enjoy riding. As I like to say, there is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes. Here are a tips for biking in the winter.

Clothing

A rain jacket and a pair of rain pants can make all the difference to arrive at your destination bone-dry. Plastic bags between your socks and shoes can remedy that squishy sock feeling. Warm gloves will also keep your fingers warm and able to shift and brake. A rain-proof backpack cover or panier bag will keep your belongings dry. Pick any of these items up at local outdoor and bike stores (particularly those that advertise in the Community Wheel!)

Fenders

One of the worst things about winter riding is arriving at your destination with a big water streak on your back. A fender can save you from this hassle and protect you and your bike from petro-sludge and grit. An easy-to-install fender can be purchased at any of the local bike shops, or you can make your own. See this website for an example DIY fender: mile43.com/peterson/FendForYourself.html.

Lights and Reflectors

It’s important to be able to see and be seen in rain-soaked light-deficient conditions, so use either a headlamp or a light mounted on the front of your bike — it is a legal requirement when riding at night, anyway. Make sure cars from behind can see you with a flashing red light that can be attached to your clothing or rear seatpost. Also, as many reflectors and as much reflective tape as you can possibly stand on your bike will help you to be seen. Again, check out local bike shops (and no, we won’t bore you with another gratuitous pitch for Community Wheel advertisers).

Tires, Brakes, and Chain Lube

Checking your tires for wear is always a good idea, especially when riding in adverse conditions. Winter road grime will munch through brake pads, so stay on top of them — never allow your brake pads to wear down to the metal shoe which holds them in place. Chain rust is a fact of riding in Humboldt County, but you can avoid it by routinely cleaning and greasing your chain. A good chain lube to buy is Triflow or Phil Wood (Community… Wheel… advertisers… OK, OK: I’m sure you’ve got the point by now).

There is no reason to succumb to the restlessness of a rainy winter. Tune up your bike, throw on some rain gear and ride safely and happily.