MPR News: Winter Bike Commuting

Joshua Houdek bike commutes two miles from South Minneapolis to his work every day. He takes us through putting on his gear, prepping his equipment, and making the decision to ride even on a -5 degree day. -Anna Weggel

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News & Politics

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• MPR
• Minnesota Public Radio
• APM
• American Public Media
• MPR News
• News
• Bike
• Biking
• Commuting
• Winter Bike
• Winter
• Com

[chanceturcotte]

I wish we could get more people to realize we don't need non-renewables for work and play... and that our very existence is dependent on our disuse of them, except for national defense and alternative energy study purposes. Trust me... western-friendly nations don't want to be the last to run out. We need to change our habits NOW!

[chanceturcotte]

Good gloves are important. I wouldn't wear the safety vest due to inconvenience. Get a front and rear bike light for $3 and tire valve lights (nice light show) for $1 a piece on Ebay.

I do my groceries and get to my tree-cutting jobs on my bicycle. The handlebars of my el-cheapo $30 bike have carried 200lbs at times. I also take it to one of the local hockey rinks to play regularly.

[vedranre]

I really enjoy winter cycling. Riding at 25°F is some of the most comfortable cycling I've done. Below 20°F requires another layer of clothing (or two). This year, I'll try to bike through most of Chicago winter. My commute is about 18 miles one-way, so keeping those toes warm is definitely something to think about in advance.

[chrospoke]

WHAT KIND OF HELMET?? NICE VIDEO

[rdaines1]

right on man! 2 wheels are better than 4, cheers from a fellow commuter in LaCrosse!

[brainstorrming]

By the way, i use toe clips tooo - it`s good for comfortable biking.

[slickkapone]

I commute in the winter. All I wear is a wicking shirt for sweat, a long sleeve t shirt and a little coat for my commute even when it's down to 12 degrees!! You don't have to wear all that crap....Leave out of your house a little chilly because you will build up heat pretty fast. Wear good gloves and make sure you keep your feet dry and you'll be fine!!

[mikoguy]

Right on, that's cool that other people can do this. In Palm Coast, FL, I'm pretty much the only person commuting on the bike trails.

[ctrlaltdlt01]

a 2 mile commute is cake. I only ride about 4 miles each way and its only a challenge when the roads are slushy and icy beneath. You just have to go a little bit slower in the winter time when the snow is on the ground but as a relative newcomer I havent had any major problems biking through philadelphia during the winter time.

[boskejug]

In winter, I choose to ride in roads with no traffic (Luckly, it's possible for me).

There is no problem for me riding in winter, but cars are real problem, poor visibility, poor traction surfaces, many cagers are totally incompetent when driving in the snow&icy roads.