Tips for Cycling During the Transition to Spring

The months of March and April in Minnesota can present all kinds of weather for those that are itching to get out on the bike after a long winter.  These fluctuations can present some challenges to getting out and riding but can be overcome.  Over the years of riding during the "shoulder seasons" I have learned a few things that make the ride a little better and safer.  Below I will share with you some of my tips for cycling during this transition into spring.

With singletrack closed during the freeze/thaw cycle transition into spring, there are options to still ride. This time of year I like to take to the road whether it be gravel or paved. Road hazards are more plentiful than summer months so keep your eyes always scanning your line of travel. Those not comfortable with riding on the road may choose to stick to bike paths and paved trails. If so, use caution at crosswalks and intersections so motorists that aren't used to seeing cyclists this time of year see you.

This transition time of year can present numerous hazards in the roadway that need to be avoided. These can include snow, ice, sand, branches, leaves and litter. Scanning the roadway ahead of you will help you identify these hazards so an evasive maneuver can be safely executed. Dark and low light times require a headlight to help illuminate the roadway to see potential hazards in time. Adjust the headlight beam according your rate of speed so as not to overdrive the lit portion ahead of you.  Doing this will give more time to react when a hazard is identified. 

Ice can present a problem when riding in the morning or after dark as temperatures can dip below the freezing point.  What may appear like wet pavement may be a very thin layer of ice that can take a cyclist down.  I will usually end up walking my bike across the icy section if it is on an uphill or downhill and slowly roll across in a straight line unclipped from my pedals on flat sections.

Gravel roads are always popular with cyclists this time of year as they are a way to get in some saddle time while waiting for the singletrack to dry out.  They can be a little sloppy with snow melt and the occasional rain shower so you may want to strap on some fenders to keep from slinging limestone mud all over your backside.  These low traffic roads provide great scenery, elevation change and challenges like tackling the wind out in the open.  If you're looking to get your bike legs back after a long winter, gravel roads are a great place to start.

Weather can be all over the board in March and April so I follow the forecasts for the time I will be riding. Knowing the forecast will help you choose the proper apparel and be prepared for weather changes.  I never get caught off guard by a passing shower or other inclement weather changes because I will bring extra apparel just in case. I've had to break out my barrier jacket on numerous occasions to stay dry.

The months of March and April tend to have frequent windy days and having good wind resistant apparel will make your ride more comfortable. Wind can make 30°F feel more like 18°F (windchill index) so in addition to a windproof shell, additional layering may be required. I have windproof apparel pieces that cover core, legs, hands, feet, head and face to choose from for varying conditions. Cut the wind to cut the cold.

Temperatures during the shoulder season will determine the proper footwear and sock choices.  I always wear wool socks for the cold but they also help regulate temperature so if it warms up during a ride my socks will wick moisture and keep my feet comfortable.  I will wear a cyclocross style insulated boot until it is warm enough to break out the road shoes.  For those chilly morning or evening rides and when road conditions are wet I like to wear a pair of waterproof shoe covers to keep my feet warm and dry.  They can easily be removed and stored in a jacket pocket if temperatures rise where they are not needed.

I'm an advocate of daytime running lights and use them year round to be better seen by motorists. They are especially useful this time of year because motorists are not used to sharing the road with cyclists. Increase your odds of being seen by always using daytime running lights. 

Rain and melting snow snow will leave roads and paved trails wet and puddle laden. Fender use will help keep you dry and your cycling apparel clean on those days they are needed. Clip-on fenders are a good choice for those that don't want them on all the time. I carry an Ass-Savers fender in my frame bag so I have it handy in the unexpected event that I may need to use it. It's a minimalist rear fender that needs no tools to clip under my seat but does the job nicely at keeping my ass dry. 

The transition to spring can make your bike a little messy.  Road salt mixed with snow melt can wreak havoc on your bike's drivetrain and components so a good wash down after a ride in these conditions is recommended.  Sand and dirt on roads and trails is more prevalent this time of year so you may find your bike needs a wash more frequently than during the summer months.    

It appears we are going to get an early spring so break that bike out of its long winter slumber and get out there and ride.  Remember, there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing choices.

45NRTH Makes Improvements on the Wölvhammer Winter Cycling Boot for 2016

45NRTH brings back its very successful Winter cycling boot, the Wölvhammer for 2016 with many improvements over the previous years' models.  The new design will make this boot easier to get on and off by doing away with the outer zipper/velcro for a gusseted tongue lace-up drawstring design.  For fatbikers and commuters it still maintains its 0°-25° F comfort rating making it a comfortable choice for Winter riding.

The outside of the boot now has a full grain leather and Ballistic Nylon Cordura shell for warmth and durability giving it the look and styling of a traditional mountaineering boot.

45NRTH added a protective rubber toe cap to help keep moisture out and to give some impact and abrasion resistance.  Though the new Wölvhammer is shorter than the previous model, it still comes to the mid-calf to help keep snow out and warmth in.  A slightly wider toe box and outsole allows for a better fit which means warmer toes.

The toe hook remains for use with gaiters in deeper snow. 

Gone now is the restrictive D-ring on the Power Strap at the top of the boot.  This will make putting them on easier and allow adjustments to be made while wearing gloves.

The single layer boot construction of the new model still maintains its waterproof membrane and allows for feet to breathe.  

Inside the boot is 200g Primaloft ECO Gold insulation with a fleece lining to wick away moisture keeping feet dry and warm.  The NASA approved Aerogel insulation of the footbed from previous models remains to eliminate cold transfer from cleats.  The drawstring lace now has a velcro tab at the top that can be attached underneath the Power Strap so excess lacing can be neatly tucked away.

Maintaining the deep lug pattern Vibram sole of previous models, the new Wölvhammer will come in an SPD compatible model only.  But it comes with a cleat plug giving it the versatility to be used with flat pedals or 2-bolt style clipless pedals.

For night riding, the reflective area on the heel is larger and very bright to get you seen on commutes or while riding in a group.

I will be writing a more in-depth review of the 2016 Wölvhammer boot with details on its performance in a variety of cold and snow conditions after more testing to come this Winter.

45NRTH Wölvhammer boots are now available in Mens extra wide 38–50 (no size 49), full sizes only at Penn Cycle and other fine bike shops for $325.

Disclosure:  45NRTH provided the review samples for this article, but offered no other form of compensation for this review.

Product Review: Columbia Bugaboot Plus II Omni-Heat

When it came time to select a warm, lightweight boot at a reasonable price for winter biking, I did a little research and tried on pairs from several different manufacturers.  What I was looking for was a boot that could handle the varying conditions experienced riding during a Minnesota winter.  I chose the Columbia Bugaboot Plus II Omni-Heat because it is very lightweight (size 9, ½ pair = 24 oz), waterproof, flexible and has an outsole that would grip nicely on a good set of pinned, flat pedals.

The Bugaboot Plus II Omni-Heat features a seam sealed Techlite shell, 200 grams of Columbia's patented thermal reflective Omni-Heat insulation (rated to -25° F) and is fully waterproof.  The Omni-Grip rubber outsole has been designed to provide greater traction on all types of winter terrain. 

I have had a couple of months to test them out in all types of winter conditions.  During this time I have worn them riding in temperatures from -10º to +40º F providing me with a good assessment of how they perform.  The cold weather features of the boot's design and how they handle a Minnesota winter would become apparent when putting them through this real-world testing.

I first started wearing them back in November when we didn't have any snow here in the Twin Cities but it was plenty cold on my morning rides.  The temperatures were usually in the twenties to around freezing and wearing the boots with a thin wool sock was sufficient to keep my feet warm for hours.  The waterproof qualities of the boot were beneficial for keeping dry when riding through puddles and wet areas.  During afternoon rides when the temperatures would hover between freezing and the low forties my feet were warm without overheating and wearing a thin wool sock wicked away any perspiration.

In December came the snow and cold weather I was waiting for.  Temperatures remained below average for the next couple of months and the Bugaboot kept my feet warm on rides which usually lasted two to four hours.  During extreme cold where temperatures were sub-zero, I could only get one to two hours of riding in before my feet would start to get cold and toe numbness would set in.  To help extend my rides during these times of extreme cold, I would pair the Bugaboot with Grabber Toe Warmers and Foot Warmers which worked well.  These chemical warmers would give me extra hours of warmth while wearing the boots and I only found them necessary during times when temperatures were in the teens to below zero.  *Note:  Wool socks were worn during testing, one or two pair depending on the outside temperature.

The Bugaboot works great with a set of  gaiters to keep snow out and help calves stay warm and dry during the occasional hike-a-bike through the deeper stuff.  They have a steel eyelet at the base of the lacing to hook the gaiters in place.  The outsole provided excellent traction when using my flat, pinned pedals.  Even when conditions became icy, I never had a problem with my feet slipping off the pedals.  On the occasions I had to put a foot down to keep the bike up on icy trails, the Omni-Grip outsole grabbed nicely on a variety of ice an snow covered surfaces.  The thing I like most about these boots is their lightweight, non-bulky design.  Even with their eight inch height, they remained flexible and allowed free movement when pedaling.  For any flat pedal winter cyclist looking to purchase a high quality and more affordable option to those expensive winter cycling boots, I would definitely recommend the Columbia Bugaboot Plus II Omni-Heat. 

Image Credit:  Columbia Sportswear

The Columbia Bugaboot Plus II Omni-Heat is available in men's, women's and children's sizes at Columbia.com, Columbia retail store locations and from outdoor and online retailers.  A pair lists for $120, but shop around to find better pricing.

Disclosure:  Columbia Sportswear provided the review sample for this article, but offered no other form of compensation for this review.