Cycling year-round in Maine may seem far-fetched to some, but for many people, commuting to work on two wheels and even biking on country roads and snowmobile trails in the winter is a way of life. It’s also a way for serious cyclists to train, staying fit and ready to roll when spring finally comes round. And it’s a heck of a lot more fun than pedaling on a stationary bike while staring at the tube, dreaming of warmer weather.
For those of us who opt to be bundled in our vehicle with the defroster blasting and the heated seats cranked up on high, the cyclists we encounter out and about may seem plain crazy, but these winter warriors love to bike and won’t let a little snow and slush stop them.
Because of this winter’s below-average snowfall, winter bikers have been enjoying clear roads, as well as the benefits of warmer-than-average fresh air and good old exercise.
John Grenier, owner of Rainbow Bicycle on Center Street in Auburn, finds that cycling through the winter months keeps him in tiptop condition for the bike racing season that begins in April. Although Grenier, who lives in Lewiston, does commute to his shop in Auburn on occasion, the 46-year-old mostly rides for the training aspect, averaging 150 miles a week.
“I’ll ride in anything, except freezing rain and heavy snow. People think I’m crazy … and that I’m freezing to death. I just try to find quiet country roads. Although they’re narrower, I feel safer because there’s much less traffic,” he said.
Grenier’s favorite loops include roads in Minot, Turner and Buckfield.
Studded bike tires
“When I started cycling, the hardest part was the winter months, trying to stay in shape on an indoor trainer,” said Dave Chirayath of Auburn. As he commuted by bike more often, Chirayath realized he could ride year-round simply by investing in the right equipment. He now rides for fun on the weekends and commutes to work at Bates College in Lewiston up to four times a week, varying his route to keep it interesting. He often takes Broad Street in Auburn and is sometimes observed passing by the Sun Journal building on Park Street, Lewiston.
The 33-year-old prospect researcher has taken his cycling seriously ever since his high-school days in Cleveland.
“I started biking because I didn’t have a car. I enjoyed it so much, I began to bike for the fun of it,” said Chirayath, who was good friends with a bike mechanic who showed him places to ride and let the teen hang out with him at his shop. Working at the shop through college, he learned plenty about bikes and acquired the tools needed to keep his wheels on the road. His current collection includes a cyclocross bike, which enables him to use wider tires with studs in the winter months.
A buddy of Chirayath’s, Mathieu Duvall, 36, also bikes to his job as an Arctic environment researcher at Bates College.
Duvall recalls that when he was on the college cycling team in Colorado two decades ago, he and his teammates were caught in a blizzard 30 miles from home. They made it back, albeit covered in snow.
“We were pretty wet and cold, but it was very memorable!”
Now his five- to 10-mile commute, depending on the route he takes from his home in Auburn, is made on a stout touring bike.
“Two critical things go on the bike for winter,” said Duvall. “The first is a set of heavier tires to absorb some of the bumps found on winter roads and to provide more traction. The second is a set of full fenders.”
Getting traction
Not everyone uses the fenders, though.
Mark Battle who lives a short distance from Bowdoin College, where he’s an assistant physics professor, finds that snow builds up between the tires and fenders, creating a tremendous amount of drag on his touring bike, which he previously used for longer commutes. Now the 40-year-old dad zips to work and run errands in town, often with his two small children bundled up against the elements in a trailer attached to the back of an old mountain bike he has equipped with fat tires.
Grenier also uses a well-used mountain bike with fat, knobby tires for his winter riding. He keeps the tire pressure low, providing for good traction. He also sees cyclists using studded tires, which give even better traction on icy roads.
He says most of his customers who cycle in the winter do it for the exercise, as well as the challenge.
Other than learning how to handle bikes on roads made narrower by accumulations of snow on the shoulders and sometimes slick and sandy conditions, Grenier said that dressing correctly is the other important factor to consider.
As with most outdoor winter activities, the key is to dress appropriately, incorporating layers and watching out for exposed skin.
Randy Berube of Lisbon Falls, who saves his winter biking strictly for recreation, takes to packed-down snowmobile trails on his mountain bike when conditions are right. He advises that clothing made for other winter activities works great for winter cycling as well.
Don’t get sweaty
“You need to be careful not to overdo it, as you don’t want to be soaked with sweat,” Berube said. He says light- or mid-weight polyester long johns under jeans work, as well as under and outer garments that can be partially unzipped to dissipate heat. He also wears a thin polyester balaclava or skull cap under his helmet.
Battle recommends a wind shell and also really likes his fleece helmet liner.
“Hands are hard to keep warm, but liners under ski gloves work okay when it’s really cold, and neoprene booties that fit over cycling shoes help with cold toes on longer rides,” he said.
Duvall wears specialized winter pants that are lightweight and windproof, yet breathable. He added, “I aim to be a little cold for the first five minutes of the ride. That way, when you warm up, your body temperature is perfect. It’s easy to get too hot. It’s a lot like cross-country skiing … staying cool is often more of a problem than staying warm.”
Grenier also compares dressing for winter cycling to cross-country skiing.
“Dressing right is a whole skill in itself,” he said. Along with these other cycling enthusiasts, he has his own favorite tale to tell about ending a road trip completely covered in snow. He has several recommendations for keeping comfortable while enjoying winter cycling.
He wears a moisture-wicking base layer. Then, depending on the temperatures, he may add a thermal long-sleeve jersey and a winter cycling jacket with wind-blocking woven in.
“The wind (factor) is often more important than the temperature,” Grenier said. He also wears bicycling tights with wind-blocking capabilities and said it’s “absolutely essential” to wear cycling booties.
Duvall says, “The key is to realize it’s winter, not a time for speed records. Take your time. … Bottom line – have fun.”
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