Better to Ride in Snow

I’ll take my bike into that cold, white stuff – for now

It’s raining as I write this. It was raining as I rode into the office this morning. Really, I rather it was snowing.

Snow and bikes traditionally don’t work well together, I know. At this time of year, most of us have taken our bikes inside. Maybe you have a fat bike for the fluffy stuff or a winter bike that you bash around on when you don’t mind some slipping and sliding. But essentially this is the off-season. Well, it’s in-season for indoor riding. Riding the trainer is definitely more fun than it used to be thanks to e-racing and e-riding. In this issue, writer Dan Dakin charts the rise of Zwift, that ubiquitous digital playground for cyclists (p.20). It’s stunning what that platform has done in five short years. This past September at Eurobike, I played with its new feature: steering. The videogamification of cycling continues. I have to admit, I don’t think it’s the enemy of cycling irl. It’s definitely different. It’s definitely better than getting soaked on the road by a cold rain. But, it’s not better than riding in snow.

Riding in snow is a bit silly, but that’s what makes it fun. The odds of slipping increase so much that you can’t take it so seriously, at least I don’t. When the snow is at a certain depth on the roads, steering is more a matter of making suggestions with your handlebars, as opposed to directing the bike. It’s a bit like riding through sand in cyclocross. A bit, but not quite. Tires lose traction on snow in such a sudden, immediate and surprising way. Surprise! You’re now going sideways. Fun, no?

A good pair of studded tires can be a revelation. If you’ve never run them before, resolve to shod your steed with them this winter. (Also, while you’re making resolutions, check out Molly Hurford’s story about getting fitter, healthier and faster in the year ahead on p.30.) In the right conditions, I can pass cars outfitted with inferior all-seasons. Remember though, be safe. Even studs have their limits. It’s not so bad when you find those limits and end up in a soft snowbank.

Now, as I look at my rain-soaked jacket, gloves, pants and socks, I think about how much easier it is to dress for snow. Sure, the layers are thicker and more numerous, but keeping snow out of the base layers is a breeze, provided the breeze isn’t too fierce. Yes, I’d much rather face snow than this seep-into-everything rain. For sure.

So, let’s check back again in the February/march issue after some months of snow. Who knows? My feelings on the stuff might have evolved even further by then.