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Winter Commuting Tips in Canada

We’ve all read the posts about how hard it is to commute to work when it’s wet, cold and dark, and how you need lights, fenders and gloves to be comfortable, but that doesn’t paint a picture of what it’s like here. Our British cycling counterparts, from which most of these articles originate, don’t know what it takes to ride in the heart of Alberta through January and February! Here are our best tips for slugging it through the toughest of conditions:

The Bike

We will preface this by saying you can adapt nearly any bike to be a solid winter commuter, but some selections will make life easier. A flat bar bike will give you better control when things get really slippery, but many people are more comfortable on drops, so it’s up to you. A rigid bike will be more reliable when the temps hit -30 and the fewer gears you can get away with the better; less moving parts is ideal. Finally, a fat bike, or one that can accept wider tires is nice but not necessary. Paths and roads Generally are packed down or cleared, it's only in fresh, deep and fluffy snow falls where the fat tires shine.

Tires

Segueing along from that last comment, tires are the number one thing you should change and invest into. A proper set of studded snow tires like those from 45 NRTH are an absolute game changer. Ice and slick conditions will no longer scare you with the level of traction you have on sharp studs. It also opens up a new world of riding, from snow and ice covered singletrack to gliding down frozen rivers, it will be your new favourite thing. However, these are an investment into your health and riding. Studded tires start at about the $150 mark and go up from there as they get larger in size, so prepare for that!

Chain Lube

Short and simple, you need something to keep the moving parts happy on your bike. Any wet lube should do the trick for when the conditions get slushy, but the -50 lube from Muc-Off has proved to be really nice for our uses. It doesn’t congeal in the extreme colds, and doesn’t tend to pick up ice crystals from your tires.

Clothing and Warming Accessories

When those Arctic winds start blowing down from the North, it’s hard to stay out for more than a few minutes without proper outerwear. Either ditch your bike helmet for a ski helmet, or wear a windproof and insulated helmet liner and goggles to keep the air off your head, and some form of neck buff to cover your face.

Bar mitts/pogies keep the chill off your hands and allow you to run a thinner glove to access your controls, or run no gloves when it isn’t horribly cold. If you have extra cold hands on a regular basis, consider some of the insulated pogies over the windblocking shells (which still make a huge difference).

Summary

It takes some determination or serious love of cycling to commute year round, and normal bike gear doesn’t always make the cut. But with some experience, trial and error, and knowledge of surviving Canadian winters, it may be a lifestyle you can enjoy!