A Season In The Saddle - Tips and Tricks for Foul Weather Riding

The temptation to hibernate indoors plagues us all when faced with inclement weather conditions.  Here in the Pacific NW, and many other parts of the world, the days dawn windy and wet from November to March, one's resolve to ride can melt faster than yesterday's snow man.

Cycling's benefits to body and spirit need never be sacrificed to winter's wicked whims.  With a little help from friends like us at Bicyclinghub.com, you can reap the rewards of cycling year round in comfort and style.

Fear no front!  Winter riding need not intimidate as gearing up takes only moments and invokes childhood memories of donning moon boots and mittens in anticipation of tasting the season's first snow flake.

To keep the heat remember head, hands, feet! As your body functions like an engine, revving up your heart rate is going to keep you nice and toasty warm when your extremities are properly protected, which brings us to the dos and don'ts for core insulation:

• Don't Overdress - you will warm up more quickly than expected.
• Don't Wear Cotton - it's like wearing a sponge that you can never wring out.
• Do Layer - today's lightweight gear is easily stowed.
• Do Wick Away Moisture - with tech-savvy basics like Castelli's Merino Wool Long Sleeve Base Layer and for the ladies a Castelli Women's Freddolosa Long Sleeve Base Layer is an excellent choice.

Toes to Nose, Bicyclinghub.com knows:

• Wet Feet = Defeat - whether your little piggies go to market or stay home they require a little attention.  Working from inside out, let's talk socks: we suggest the happy marriage of ventilation and insulation and recommend Castelli's Merino Wool Cycling Sock as they are thin enough to wear with clicks and warm enough to do the trick.  If opting for street shoes, you may enjoy Castelli's Quindici Soft Cycling Sock.
  
  When it comes to exterior foot protection, investing in a pair of Castelli Diluvio Shoe Covers will pay your tootsies a handsome dividend year after freezing year (remember to order a half size larger when wearing over street shoes).
  
  
• Dry Digits = Delight - hands are best served by gloves that are incorporate waterproof and insulating fabric technologies, such as the Catelli Diluvio Glove or specifically for the gals, we offer the Castelli Sessanta Donna Women's Glove. 

• Cozy Core = Conquest - a good jacket is a must and depending on your region's weather, Bicyclinghub.com offers a variety of excellent technologically advanced options designed to fit your individual needs without breaking the bank.  
  For moderate climates where heavy downpours and freezing winds are infrequent, we highly recommend the stylish Showers Pass Skyline Jacket.  
  
  When subjected to torrential downpours typical of areas like the Pacific NW, the Shower's Pass Elite 2.1 Rain Jacket or the Shower's Pass Women's Elite 2.1 Rain Jacket dominate.  Plus the good folks at Shower's Pass offer an optional unisex hood to accompany any of their jackets.
  
  For those of you who battle freezing winds and bone-chilling temperatures, an ideal choice is the Castelli Mortirolo Due Cycling Jacket.

• Nuzzled Noggin = Nirvana - crucial to maintaining your body heat when riding, covering your cabasa also serves to prepare you for stepping out the door.  For generally chilly conditions, we suggest the Castelli Thermo Skully.  For those in need of extra warmth, the Castelli Risvolto Winter Cycling Cap is top notch.

Bicyclinghub.com encourages everyone to experience the pride, passion and peace bicycling affords us all - big or small.  Riding brings us closer to ourselves and to our community and boosts our physical and emotional well-being.  Happy trails from our family to yours!

Overcoming Obstacles: ’Tis the Season

By Lucy Burningham

BicyclingHub.com Encourages You To Ride More In 2013!

Let’s be honest. If you live in the Northern hemisphere, it’s a difficult time to get out and ride, no matter how much you love being in the saddle. Whether you’re staring out the window at lashing rains or blowing snowdrifts, or in the middle of making hot cocoa or beef stew, most likely every cell in your body is saying: “Stay indoors. Or else.”

Does this look fun?  Try Cyclocross to keep the pounds off
Photo Courtesy BikePortland.org

But the “or else” is your sliver of opportunity. Or else what? Or else you’ll pedal your way to better mental and physical health, which is just as, if not more, important than when it’s 70 degrees and sunny outside.

 Start with your state of mind. With shorter hours of daylight, many of us are fighting symptoms of Seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Easy cures? Going outside and exercising regularly

Exercise helps!  Then there’s your body. This is the season of potlucks, rich foods and holiday drinks, which means you’re likely to pack on some extra pounds. Getting on your bike will help prevent weight gain. Besides, if you keep up a regular riding schedule now, you’ll be the one dropping the pack during springtime training rides.

How to make it happen? These are our favorite ways to make sure we get out the door, Remember, riding is fun!

Bicyclinghub.com staff ride all year

1. Establish your riding posse. Organize a reliable group of friends, family or coworkers who aren’t above applying some peer pressure when it comes to showing up for rides.

2. Schedule regular rides that happen no matter what, which includes weather “events.”

3. Organize your gear ahead of time. It’s way too easy to get lazy if your favorite waterproof gloves are M.I.A.

4. Winterize your bike. Clean your bike and re-grease your chain on a regular basis. Consider switching to studded tires, depending on where you live.

5. As the Scandinavian say goes, "there's no bad weather, just bad clothing." From your head to your toes, BicyclingHub.com can help you stay warm and dry with the right clothing for winter.

6. Promise yourself a sweet reward. There’s nothing wrong with giving yourself a little treat for getting out on your bike, be it a snifter of scotch or permission to call in sick on a powder day.

What kind of obstacles have you overcome to continue riding in the winter?  We want to hear your story. Send us an email telling us how you’ve become a winter riding warrior to sales@bicyclinghub.com. We’ll be posting our favorite submissions in the coming weeks, so stay tuned.

Award-winning author and writer Lucy Burningham has been working as a journalist for the past twelve years. She covers travel, food, and craft beer for a variety of magazines, newspapers, and guidebooks. Her work has appeared in Sunset, Imbibe, Outside, Men's Journal, VIA, Edible Portland and Beer Northwest, as well as The New York Times, The Oregonian, and The Los Angeles Times. http://www.lucyburningham.com/.  Lucy is also the co-author of "Hop in the Saddle" A Guide To Portland's Craft Beer Scene, by Bike.