When most people see a cyclist on the street in the cold season, they immediately have round eyes. How so? It's cold! How can I ride in the snow ?! However, residents of Norway, Sweden and Denmark have long ago proved to the whole world that this type of transport can be safely considered year-round. In our article, we will try to figure out whether it is possible to ride a bicycle in Russia in winter, what are the features of this hobby and what equipment should be chosen for such an event.
The benefits of winter skiing
Many people ask themselves: "How can I ride a bicycle in winter, because it is very cold ?!" To answer it in as much detail as possible, we strongly recommend that you familiarize yourself with the benefits of winter skiing, which are listed in the list below.
- Training skills in extreme conditions. Winter is a great time of the year to improve your stamina while cycling. Many athletes compare this activity to extreme car driving, which brings not only pleasure, but also tangible health benefits.
- In soft snow, rubber does not wear off so quickly. And this is really a weighty argument in favor of the person who loves to go for a bike ride in the snow. Many athletes complain that even imported rubber wears out quickly on asphalt, and the cost of such an element is at best several hundred rubles.
- Winter road is noticeably transformed. Asphalt is, of course, good, but it is much more pleasant to ride on snowy roads, enjoying picturesque landscapes. All puddles and potholes are covered with ice, and the environment is noticeably transformed.
Special mention deserves the fact that any winter frost is more easily tolerated by a cyclist than a summer thunderstorm or heat. If you freeze during the trip, it will be enough just to warm yourself in some room, but drying wet clothes is a very unpleasant task. Although it should be noted that a bicycle is a type of transport that will become relevant in any weather.
Features of winter "pokatushek"
To answer the question of whether it is possible to ride a bicycle in winter, you should study the features of this event. In some regions, it is better to refrain from such an activity, especially if the climate in the region is very severe, so before you sit on the "iron horse", familiarize yourself with the following features, so as not to harm your health and not spoil the transport:
- in strong winds, it is best to refrain from traveling, since air movements in frost are perceived much stronger than ordinary cold;
- It is recommended to refrain from sharp braking, as well as sharp turns at high speed for your own safety;
- do not wash your bike before riding, as the remaining water on wheels and pedals can quickly become icy in extreme cold;
- lubrication in bearings at low temperatures thickens much faster, so it becomes much more difficult to twist the bike;
- tire pressure can drop in a few minutes in the cold, especially if the bike rolls out of the heated room into extreme cold.
However, you should not pay attention only to the negative aspects of winter skiing. For example, in winter it is much easier to ride at a moderate pace, since bicycle tires do not deform so much in the cold, which means that traction will be much more reliable. In addition, good speed allows you to warm up very quickly even in severe frost.
Legislative side of the issue
Many people are concerned about the question of whether it is possible to ride a bicycle in winter, according to the law of the Russian Federation. Especially for our readers we answer: yes, it is possible. However, in the rules of the road there are quite a few prohibitions with which traffic police officers can mislead an inexperienced cyclist and even write a fine. To prevent this from happening, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the legislative side of this issue.
What is cycling on traffic rules in the winter? The same items that are mandatory in the summer, plus a few prohibitions. For example, it is forbidden to move on a road to heavy ice or to ride in a strong snowstorm without any identification signals (headlights, reflectors on clothes and a bicycle). Of course, the sanctions for such offenses will be minimal (from a warning to a small fine), but still it is worth familiarizing yourself with all the rules of the road before setting off.
Features of the choice of equipment
To ride a bicycle in winter without fear for your health, you need to take care of acquiring high-quality equipment that will protect your wearer not only from the cold, but also from unexpected falls on ice. Clothing for cyclists must comply with the following rules:
- It should be clearly visible to pedestrians and drivers;
- must be protected from moisture and strong wind;
- should not be too warm or cold;
- should not hamper the driver;
- should not reduce the radius of view.
The third point should be given special attention, since most questions arise about it. With too cold clothes, everything is more or less clear - this is fraught with hypothermia of the body and turning the walk into indescribable discomfort. However, what is wrong with the clothes being very warm, because we are talking about traveling in extreme cold? The fact is that if the cyclist sweats too much in the cold, his body will quickly cool down during stops when the blood stops circulating. Therefore, sweating in the winter is strongly discouraged.
As for the other features of the choice of equipment, they are strictly individual. Someone loves expensive, but high-quality clothing, and for someone, the appearance of the equipment is much more important. In the following sections, you will find more detailed information about the choice of each of the elements, as well as a few recommendations that will prepare the clothes for a winter bike ride.
What to pick up pants?
Now you know whether cycling is permitted in winter. However, for many fans of this event, the main enemy is not a traffic policeman, but a severe cold. In order not to get hypothermia, we advise you to choose the right clothes that will protect your body from the effects of frost and strong winds.
One of the main elements of any equipment is pants. They should consist of several layers of dense material, which is designed to protect its media from the most severe conditions. It is also recommended to use special thermal underwear, which retains the warmth of the body much longer. Trousers for cross-country skiing will be an ideal option - they are quite narrow and do not constrain movements, however, they retain body heat for a long time.
The right choice of shoes
"Head in the cold, feet warm" - a similar saying is very relevant for any person, especially for those who decide to start cycling in winter. Cyclist's shoes must meet certain requirements, which are designed to protect the wearer from exposure to extreme cold.
An ideal option would be ordinary sports sneakers with insulation. However, you should not choose a model that is too low, such as a sneaker, as this can lead to the ingress of cold wind and precipitation. However, too high shoes (boots, berets) are also not recommended, because they simply will not allow the cyclist to move normally.
As for the socks, they should be as warm as possible. Of the material, it is best to prefer natural wool or cotton. You can also wear special shoe covers that are recognized to retain heat for a long time. Remember that if your feet get wet or cold during the trip, you risk getting very sick.
Hat or helmet?
As mentioned earlier, the features of cycling in winter involve the use of high-quality equipment that will protect the driver from cold and injuries. When traveling in the winter season, it is best to use two items of equipment at once. That is, first we put on a warm hat, and over it we pull on a helmet that will protect the wearer from head injury. If you decide to wear protection without a warm headgear, no one will blame you, but such actions can easily lead to frostbite of your ears, because plastic during frost can be no warmer than ordinary iron.
Also, the cap can be replaced with a balaclava, which will protect not only the head of the cyclist from the cold, but also his face. In addition, such an element of equipment is usually made of special materials that allow you to retain body heat inside. Of course, only those balaclavas that were purchased in specialized sports stores possess this property. It is far from a fact that if you order equipment on a site with Chinese goods, you will receive something good.
Gloves and glasses
Clothing for cycling in winter should protect the cyclist well from the cold and wind. However, taking care of the condition of the hands will be no less important than about any other part of the body, because they must always be on the steering wheel. If you constantly warm one hand in the jacket pocket and the other steer the bike, then you risk losing balance on a slippery road and getting injured. Therefore, be sure to purchase quality gloves that are suitable for cycling.
It is best to give preference to ski equipment, as it is not too bulky and perfectly protects the owner's hands from the cold. In addition, it is important that the gloves do not interfere with the free access of the driver to the brake levers, otherwise it will lead to sad consequences. So immediately exclude those gloves that have unnecessary elements (“knuckles”, plaques, holes on the fingers, and so on).
As for glasses, they are not always necessary. However, if you plan to go for a walk on a clear frosty day, when everything is white and white with snow on the street, it is best to dress them all the same. A motorcycle or ski option is suitable. Most importantly, plastic, rather than metal, should be used as the material for the manufacture.
The ban on cycling in winter: myth or reality?
No, this is not a typo. Some people wonder why you should not ride a bicycle in winter. However, the rules of the road allow you to freely ride a bike if you do not interfere with other road users or pedestrians. Where, then, are such rumors born?
It is all about the restrictions that are established by the rules of the road when ice. During such weather, it is strictly forbidden to travel on such vehicles, even if you have special studded tires installed. One awkward movement - and the cyclist will be under the wheels of a car that simply does not have time to brake. Therefore, ice is allowed to ride only on special paths intended for cycling, or on sidewalks that are not close to roads.
And what kind of bike can I ride in the winter? Absolutely on anyone - whether it's a sports unit or a regular bike from the USSR. However, for safety reasons, it is recommended to properly prepare the vehicle for riding in the snow. For example, you can install studded tires or headlights on it (so that the bike is visible in a blizzard), put fenders to protect against flying snow, and so on. Remember that cycling in winter is considered a very dangerous activity, so that only you are responsible for your life!
Video and conclusion
We hope our article helped you figure out where to ride a bike in winter and what equipment should be used. If this material didn’t seem enough to you or you still have some questions, you can watch a short video, the author of which talks about the many nuances that relate to winter cycling and preparing transport for this event. Do not forget to thank the channel owner with a positive rating for the video after watching!
We sincerely hope that now you will not have any questions about whether it is possible to ride a bicycle in winter. Of course, you will have to properly prepare for such an activity, but do not even doubt that cycling in the cold season will give you a new, unforgettable experience. Keep track of the quality of your equipment and the condition of the iron horse, and then everything will be fine with you.