I Would Travel Through a Blizzard to Get to You

I had to laugh at the forecast for Hancock:



It is rare to see a full day with a 100% chance of precipitation. I find it quite humorous.

I will be traveling through a blizzard with blowing snow creating conditions of decreased visibility due to whiteout conditions . . . just to get to a mountain bike race.

How is that for dedication!

Dressing for Cold Weather Rides

Cyclists like me are anticipating the warmer weather and are already hopping on our bikes for what we like to call training and commuting, but the truth is, we want to play. The minor challenge presented to us is this little thing called the weather. It continues to snow throughout most of my state. One day, the top layer of snow melts in the sunlight on a breezy 40 degree (Fahrenheit) day. The next, there is a wind chill of 9 degrees and there is a fresh four-inch layer of snow covering the ground.

I read a guideline in a forum that I feel is a good rule of thumb: don’t ride if it feels like it is below ten degrees. Personally, I don’t feel like riding if it is that cold. Pay attention to wind chill as that will greatly affect how it will feel outside. It can be 15 degrees but can feel like five with a wind. For the days that are suitable for riding, it is important to find the right clothes. After you’ve done that, your ride will feel just fine. You may even break a sweat.

Luckily for me, I live in an area where Nordic skiing is the norm. I didn’t have to buy additional clothing for winter riding. All I had to do was look at my ski stash.

Everyone has a different idea of what works. I’m willing to bet it’s because we own different things. Therefore, I will share with you what works for me. Since I live in a little peninsula surrounded by Lake Superior, you may find that my opinion is worth noting.

Method Behind the Madness

The first rule of thumb for winter riding is layering. The layers should be slightly loose to allow heat from your body to settle between the layers creating warm air pockets. These pockets are what will keep you warm. Add another layer, create another pocket. If it’s too warm, get rid of a pocket by removing a layer.

The second rule of thumb is the type of material used. Cotton will soak up sweat causing your clothes to become wet creating the perfect environment for hypothermia. Breathable clothing has become quite popular over the last ten years. I’m sure you’ve heard of COOLMAX®, Nike Dri-FIT, Columbia Omni-Dry®, and Patagonia Capilene just to name a few. These fabrics are all designed to wick moisture away from the skin to the surface of the garment to promote evaporation of sweat. This keeps you dry. All of these companies produce quality clothing. It is up to you to find the brand that fits you best. Just make sure the label says breathable.

Check out the plethora of sports equipment web sites out there and you’ll find that these fabrics are used to produce garments that are intended for use as different layers, for example: base layer and shell.

Keep in mind that you get what you pay for. Unless you are buying clearance, which I highly recommend, you’ll find that breathable clothing is usually quite expensive. Now consider this: I’ve been using most of my winter cycling wardrobe for over four years, for different sports, and quite religiously in the winter. With the exception of the reflection material slowly peeling off of my ski tights, everything is holding up well. All the stitching is top notch and there are no holes. The best part is that most of these garments are stretchable for maximum comfort and they will fit you well through quite a weight range . . . just in case you’re planning to lose weight.

The last thing to note about breathable fabrics, and the most important, is care. Breathable fabrics should be washed in cool water without fabric softener and should be hung to dry. Keep in mind that these are polyester fabrics. Plastic can melt in the dryer. Melting clogs the pores of the fabric rendering it useless in the breathable category. Fabric softener also clogs the pores of these fabrics rendering them useless, however, this can remedied simply by rewashing the fabric.

The Layers

Unless you’re a man who needs little support, this first part pertains only to women. The layers are only as good as the base layer. For women, that base layer begins with the sport bra. There is an abundance of sport bras out there waiting for you to buy them. However, not all sports bras are created equal. Aside from finding the one that fits you best, make absolutely sure it is made of a breathable fabric. The other layers can’t wick if the sweat stops at your bra. Underwear could be an issue, but we’re all cyclists. We don’t wear underwear. If you don’t wear a cycling short with a chamois, then you may want to consider buying breathable undies as well.


Clockwise from top: 1 – Nike Dri-FIT cycling jersey; 2 – Columbia Titanium base layer; 3 – Pearl Izumi ski jacket; 4 – Columbia Titanium wind jacket; 5 – Pearl Izumi ski pants; 6 – Nike cycling shorts.

I like to start out with a base layer. I currently use the Columbia Titanium layer shown in the picture above (2), or a blue Patagonia Capilene base layer that I like equally as much. Throwing a cycling jersey (1) over it allows use of the rear pockets while helping to keep the torso warmer. I wear these two layers on most spring rides in temperatures ranging from the upper 40s to the upper 50s. In the 50s and low 60s, I may use a light wind jacket (not pictured) for really breezy days. If it is in the lower 40s and below, I will throw on my Pearl Izumi ski jacket (3) or my Columbia Titanium wind jacket (4) depending on the type of weather. If it’s cold enough, I’ll wear both. It’s better to have too many layers because you can always take them off and throw them in your tool bag or CamelBak.

The legs are much easier to work with. In colder weather, it is very important to keep the knees covered. I wear ski pants (5) over a traditional cycling short (6) through the 50s and in the 60s if there is a cold wind.


This outfit is perfect for mild spring and fall weather that is above 50 degrees. The cycling shorts and ski pants are worn in the wintertime as well.

Accessories are equally as important as all the layers you wear on your body. Without the accessories, your ride could become miserable because your toes are numb or sand from the road is blown up into your eyes.


1 - Trek Interval WSD Sport helmet; 2 – Mountain Hardwear Gore Windstopper Dome; 3 - Kona gloves; 4 – Dakine inserts (came with Dakine Women’s Camino gloves); 5 – Swix Women’s Cross Gloves; 6 – Columbia neck gator; 7 – Optic Nerve sunglasses; 8 – Nike mountain biking shoes; 9 – Planet Bike wool socks; 10 – Wigwam Ingenius ski socks.

In Trek’s helmet owner’s manual, it specifically states that hats should not be worn under the helmet to ensure proper fit. In reality, if you don’t wear a hat during part of the year, your ears will fall off. I use either a headband or a snug-fitting cap like my Mountain Hardwear hat (shown above, 2). You will need to readjust your helmet when fitting it over a hat or headband. Make sure it has a snug fit. I know people who have gone down on the ice and hit their heads. If you experience a fall like this, it will be one of the hardest falls you will encounter as a cyclist, and you will be grateful you were wearing a helmet after the pain the rest of your body experiences. Don’t be afraid to readjust your helmet midway through the ride.

Gloves are an area of debate on some mountain biking forums. I usually wear my ski gloves (5) and they do a great job keeping my hands warm while riding. Recently, I couldn’t find them and chose to wear my Dakine inserts under my mountain biking gloves (4 and 3 respectively). Due to layering, I can see how the second choice can be warmer than the first, but the difference is negligible. If you’re looking for a single pair of gloves for winter riding, Swix makes a perfectly adequate cross country ski glove. I’ve laughingly heard others say, “yeah, but bikers travel faster than skiers.” That may be so, but cross country skiers are also found on the trails in below zero weather wearing those very same gloves.

Riding is not fun when your face is freezing. For skiing and for biking, the odds are good that you will find me wearing my neck gator (6). Sometimes I keep it around my neck, sometimes covering my face, and many times I move it back and forth. It has made what could have been the most unbearable ride into a perfectly enjoyable ride.

One of my bike shop guys says, “Glasses are the second most important piece of safety equipment.” I agree. As a mountain biker, I wear glasses to keep bugs, dirt, and tree branches out of my eyes. Having mud or sand flung up into my eyes and sticking to my contacts isn’t exactly my idea of a good time. I always bring my glasses with me (7). I prefer the clear lenses, but the amber lenses are ideal for sunny days. They’ve offered protection from the wind and the sand on my road rides.

I don’t have the fortune of owning winter specific cycling shoes or neoprene booties to put over them. I wear my regular cycling shoes with packaging tape (8) over the vents to help keep the wind away from my toes. I always wear two pairs of socks for that layering effect – cycling socks or something similar (9) over ski socks (10).

When you step back and look at all the gear you need to keep comfortable during a winter ride, it seems like a lot of stuff. It is. However, all this stuff will make your ride much more comfortable and enjoyable so you, too, can join the rest of us nutcases out there on those cold, slushy roads.

Spring Cyclocross?

What do you do if it's not road season or mountain biking season, but ski season? What do you do if you want to ride? Well, ride!

Today, my friend, Pat, and I took our cyclocross bikes out for a road ride. We stopped off at McLain State Park and road some snow and enjoyed the view.


Di riding with her Kona Jake the Snake and Pat's Redline cross bikes. Lake Superior is covered with snow in the background with deep blue waters in the greater depths.

After a brief stint at McLain, we headed up Calumet Water Works Road for a much needed spring climb. It is a two mile gradual climb with some varying grades and no descents. Pat and I made it to the top in good form. This is a great road to ride down on a hot day. There is usually a breeze coming off of Lake Superior, and the view is absolutely spectacular!


The road to the right is Calumet Water Works and M-203 is to the left. You can see Lake Superior on the horizon of both roads. Pat is riding up M-203.

We returned to McLain State Park via M-203, a nice, rolling ride. I drafted Pat and had a nice ride all the way down as Pat broke the wind for me. Once we got to McClain, he veered off the road onto the trail that is packed with ski tracks. "What are you doing? You're crazy!" I said as I pondered turning my bike around to follow him.

"What? It's rideable. Come on." I directed my bike off the pavement and onto the snow trail. Ever hear of crust skiing? It's when skate skiers enjoy the crusty, springtime snow and can skate in fields rather than rolled trails without sinking. Well, this was crust cycling.


Pat riding the McLain State Park trail. We were riding on a trail packed with about one to two feet of snow. Still, it's easier than riding through the sandy cyclocross courses in the UP.

We hit the pavement again and headed for Waasa Road. The special thing about Waasa is the super steep hill where it meets M-203. It's one hell of a climb. I tackled it in my uncle gear - that's what I call the easiest gear on my cross bike that isn't nearly as easy as the granny gear on my mountain bike. It was an incredible challenge for me. I've made it up once before. I huffed and puffed and pulled back on the handlebars with each pedal stroke using my whole body to muscle up the hill. As I was huffing and puffing and at my max and using all the brainpower I could to get to the top of that hill, I was watching Pat bunny hopping, trackstanding, and doing wheelies as he slowly climbed with me.

"That wasn't so bad," Pat said as we reached the top of the hill.

"Ya, sure," I said. "I'm huffing and puffing and giving it all I've got and you're bunny hopping up the hill!" Pat let out a jovial laugh. He loves laughing at my pain. I wish you could've seen it.

After that climb, we geared down and took an easy ride back to my house. Twenty-six and a half miles in just under three hours. The weather was wonderful in the heat-strokish 30s Fahrenheit and we were in our glory as the sun beat down on us. It was just another day in the Keweenaw.

My First Week of Bicycle Commuting

This was my first week bicycle commuting. It’s still winter time in the Upper Peninsula. There is about twenty inches of snow lingering in my yard. This is after several days of melting and minimal snowfall in between. Our roads are full of stamp sand and some icy spots. The night after a snowfall, there is no sidewalk to ride on along M41. I can’t ride those days. It’s too dangerous with the high volume of traffic along this highway, and I must ride two small sections of 41.

Monday followed a long weekend of meltdown. I prepped the cyclocross bike and filled my backpack with a change of clothes, a notebook, and a calculator. I wasn’t toting my college textbooks along. I set out for my first commute. It took me a chilly 65 minutes to reach Michigan Tech. The first six miles of my ride is a long, gradual uphill with a couple of quick downhills. It’s hard work. The last five miles consist of a sharp, four-mile downhill followed by some generally flat riding. Now, imagine that in reverse. My return trip also took 65 minutes. Either way, I’m getting one heck of a hill workout!

I could not ride Tuesday or Wednesday. The roads were covered in snow, as were the sidewalks, and my road wasn’t even plowed! Today, I was able to ride again. This time, I rode a 6.4 mile trip to work. It’s the first six miles of my school commute. You get the idea. The return trip would have been a blast, but I was heading for a strong wind coming off of Lake Superior. Wind is ok – if it’s a hot summer day. Today, it was 30 degrees. The upside? I got to ride my bike.

I am very much looking forward to commuting regularly to school and work. I love rolling along, and using the bike for transportation gives it more of a purpose than just staring at asphalt and a yellow line. Even though I'm riding when I can, I am finding myself longing for the warmth of the summer sun.

Helping the Homeless

I rode well through November, and was jealous to find that others did a December ride up in Copper Harbor. Not only did they have dry, frozen ground to ride on, but they were riding the very trails that squashed my confidence and brought my inexperience to the forefront. However, winter truly did come. It came in January after they made snow at Mt. Ripley and trucked it to the Tech Trails in time for the National Ski Championship races that were being held in Houghton. The citizens of Houghton County had to strongly encourage it, but winter did come. Winter lasted through January and February and waned in March. With the exception of the traditional spring snow storm bringing several feet of snow, March was pretty much the end.

Yes, spring had arrived quite early in the Upper Peninsula in 2007. I did my first road ride on the back roads of Negaunee Township on March 27th. The mountain biking season had resumed by April 21st!

Fortunately for me, I fell in love with a beautiful cyclocross bike on the MMBA web site. I think it’s safe to say that cyclists get turned on by bikes. Unless you’re that guy in the UK on an excursion with his bike who got caught in his hotel room literally with his pants down, most of us don’t think of our bikes sexually. However, there is a switch that gets flipped on as we ponder the possibilities of our latest discovery. This bike flipped that switch. I was turned on.

It was a cold February day when I was bike sick. I sauntered into the bike shop and explained that I needed a bike that offered a bit of versatility. I wanted something I could ride on the road, but would also serve as a backup to my mountain bike so I could ride the more gentle trails if my mountain bike was in need of repair.

It just so happened that there was a homeless Kona Jake the Snake sitting in the shop desperately seeking a home. It didn’t take much prodding. I agreed to take it. I took Jake home a few weeks later, just in time for my first road ride in March.