The 40 to 45 degree temperatures we were experiencing last week dissipated swiftly and Old Man Winter rolled in overnight. As I stepped outside on the first fresh dusting of the year I heard that familiar crunch under my boots for the first time in a while. The cold nipped me in the face like a newborn puppy. You have to take the first couple of corners with extreme caution but it comes back to you quickly. Still, there is something a little unnerving cruising at 20+ mph down the less traveled ice covered streets. You have to keep telling yourself to hold it steady, keep the rubber side down, and you easily glide like an ice skate blade across a frozen pond.
We take commuting very seriously here at Planet Bike. Not only do we outfit our commuter bikes with the finest components and accessories for winter riding but we choose our outerwear very vigorously. Working in an office of full-time bike commuters has its perks. The way a winter cycling boot works for one individual may instigate a completely different opinion from another. Riding different kinds of bicycles and gear in a wide array of conditions could constitute a Planet Bike winter riding survival book. We’ve been tossing the idea around of sharing our experiences with our readers so stay tuned throughout the cold winter months ahead to hear our opinions.