Now there’s a headline we never thought we’d have to use! With snowfalls all over SA at the moment, here are a few tips for surviving the white stuff for those brave enough to head out for a pedal.
- Stay seated and centre your weight over the bottom bracket. If your weight is too far back, your rear wheel will bog down. If your weight is in front of the bottom bracket, your front wheel will plow down into the snow rather than skim through it.
- Move the bike with your whole body. Steer wide when turning and twist with your hips to make turns. For a right-hand turn, for example, swivel your left side toward the bike. Like riding through gravel or dust, expect to skid a little while turning.
- Lower your tyre pressure about 10-15 psi below normal. The deeper the snow, the less pressure you should use. The idea is to maximise the amount of tyre surface to keep you on top and in control.
- Be sure to lubricate and clean your chain more often.
- It takes longer to stop with wet brake pads. Judge your stopping distance and prepare accordingly.
- One of the best items of snow-cycling apparel is the balaclava. On a 0-degree morning it keeps your face from hurting and your lungs from freezing up. Some people think it looks geeky. Rather think of your balaclava as intriguing, or mysterious.
- A good pair of thermal tights is a good idea. You’ll be amazed at how something as thin as tights could keep you so warm. On blustery days with a wind chill factor of -2 degrees wear wind pants over the tights and life will be good.
- Keep your digits from freezing. Invest in a decent pair of full-finger gloves.
Compfight/pearcevale
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