…which means the sun will set in Seattle today at 4:38 p.m., just in time for the evening commute.
I’m always a bit disheartened by this yearly time-change. Far from “saving” daylight, the annual clock-changing ritual signifies dark, cold winter rides ahead. My carefree days of skirt-clad riding are officially over. If I forget to pack an extra pair of shoes in my pannier, I’ll probably spend all day with wet socks. If I neglect to charge my light, I’ll likely be relegated to the bus.
The bottom line is that winter riding requires a wee bit more planning. For me, it requires moral support, and it requires back-up plans. I don’t claim to be an expert, but as someone who has braved the dark Burke-Gilman for three winters in a row, I’ve learned a thing or two (or seven) that might help those of you who are contemplating winter bike-commuting for the first time (And those of you who, like me, need to take a moment to renew your resolve every November.)
Without further ado:
A creative solution to the side-visibility problem.
Take it one day at a time — Don’t think about the whole winter, or even the week ahead. Just think about tomorrow.
Buddy up – It’ll make your ride go faster. Plus, there’s safety in numbers, and you’ll have twice as many lights! Start asking around — maybe there’s someone at your office who would consider year-round bike commuting if given a gentle push from (or a pact with) a partner.
Headlights and taillights — Do some research to figure out what kinds of lights work for you. If you’re going to be riding through the darkest sections of the Burke-Gilman Trail, or if your ride takes you on busy streets with lots of cars, a rechargeable LED light is worth the investment. On a related note, there are varying opinions at the Cascade office as to trail etiquette when it comes to extra-bright lights. I’ve been yelled at for shining my lights in the eyes of oncoming bike traffic. I’ve also been thanked for shielding those same oncoming bicyclists from my light. Since (like most) I prefer being thanked to being scolded, I do my best to cover it.
Sidelights! — Remember that you need to be visible from the side as well. According to crash data, 72 percent of all car-bike collisions happen at intersections. Lights and reflectors on the sides of your bike improve your “cone of visibility,” which will help you avoid those all-too-common right-hooks. (See Lights and Motion for some great diagrams illustrating this point.)
Reflective tape is brighter than you think – Those little white strips work wonders. Adding extra reflective stickers to your gear is a great way to make yourself more visible on the cheap.
Test your gear – Have a friend shine headlights on you and you’ll gain invaluable insight into how visible you are on the roads (Stay tuned for information about our Lights and Reflectors Clinic, coming up on Thursday, Dec. 1 at Cascade’s office.)
And, if all else fails…
Take the bus – I’ve been known to beg for quarters from my co-workers. And there’s no shame in that.
Good luck out there. And don’t forget to pack your lights!
A way to test your gear/bike for reflective visibility is to take a photo at night using flash from 30 ft away. What you see light up will be what a driver sees. Additionally, a helmet mounted light makes fixing flats in the dark much, much easier. When choosing lights, be sure to look at what kind of batteries they take or how to recharge them: There are plenty of great lights out there that use either AA or AAA batteries, or allow you to recharge them using the USB port on your work computer.
Make sure your tool kit is stocked and good to go: Your pump works and you know how to use it; your tube of glue still has glue in it; you have a spare tube and patches; and you have some cash ($1 bills) to buy food in case you start to bonk or a bus ticket home in case you have an unrepairable problem. The Cascade tire patch kit is awesome, and has just about everything you need. When you actually get a flat, rather than patching the tire just pop a new tube in and just patch the tire at home – only patch the tire if you get a second flat. This way you’ll be able to patch the tire in the dry warmth of your well lit house instead of in the wet, cold darkness of the trail.
Along the same note: Water lubricates staples and thorns such that they can penetrate tire casings more effectively. If you’ve been thinking your tire looks a little thin and it’s time to replace it, now’s a good time to do it.
I usually plan for 3 days – that’s having enough spare clothes for today, tomorrow and a “just in case” stash of clean clothes in case you forget something. Ghetto waterproofing solution: Garbage bags, especially the kind used for garden refuse, will keep your stuff dry. They’ll also double as a hack job rain coat in a tight spot if you cut holes in the bottom and sides and help trap warmth.
Most important of all: Phone a friend and/or send a message as you’re leaving, and if you take the same route every day make sure they have a map of what your route is. Or use something like Glympse (which is a free app for smart phones) to track you in real time so that loved ones don’t worry as much about you.
Thanks for sharing, Kris! Those are some great tips. Anyone else?
carry TWO spare tubes AND a patch kit. a folded dollar bill can also serve as an emergency “boot” should you actually damage a tire (if the damage isn’t too signigicant.)
[...] both a new bike commuter and Seattle resident, I was definitely unprepared for the dramatic changes that Daylight Savings Time brings to the evening commute. Riding home last Monday, I was shocked at how the previously safe and comfortable Burke-Gilman [...]
I’m not sure you need to beg for quarters. I’ve never seen a Metro bus driver turn away someone who was genuinely trying to get home.