The following chart compares Calgary's climate to one of the best cycling cities in the United States (Minneapolis). Both these cities have similar climates. The following chart is a qualitative assessment of how the human body perceives these temperature changes and what one could wear to feel comfortable. Please let me know if you have any suggestions or have any other practices that you recommend. Particularly as we are heading into the colder part of the year!
Forums:
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 Bike Calgary - Climate Chart.PNG | 74.85 KB |
| Winter Biking Illustration.JPG | 140.86 KB |
forgot one
Submitted by RichieRich on
need to add "play hookey from work" when super frigid
Not to mention
Submitted by gyrospanner on
How about these days - "It's been -30 for the last coupla' days, bottom bracket frozen solid, what time does the sun come up?, & rider unable to surface from under down duvet! Must have a pschological assessments as to why I ride in this horror! "
Funny! but if you think about it, when it's colder than -20, that's a whole new kind of monster!!
I spent a few hours today looking for the "necessary" winter gear like fleece pants, gloves, neoprene toe caps, booties, etc. etc. and I shuddered all the way through it. But on the other hand, I look forward to riding another winter season!
More t-shirts and shorts!
Submitted by pinkrobe on
15C is my personal temp for t-shirts and shorts, unless I know it's going to be a warm day, in which case I shift that down to 10C cutoff. I'll also nitpick: cold weather doesn't require lights. Might want to tweak the graph so that having bike lights corresponds to the time of year as opposed to the temperature.
Wearing a toque at 7 degrees
Submitted by winterrider on
Wearing a toque at 7 degrees seems a little strange to me. I think the clothing suggestions in general seem directed at someone who is sitting in a chair and not moving much rather than someone sitting on a bike exercising. I have seen people on the paths who dress according to the chart above, but they seem to be in the minority and I presume they must coast most of the time to be able to dress like that without dying of heat exhaustion.
Also there is no temperature correlation to needing fenders. You only need fenders when the ground has moisture on it (frozen or not).
In the SWELTERING ZONE,
Submitted by gyrospanner on
It should say "Don't forget the water bottle!" I need that more than I need clothes (although I need to stay out of jail as well, so I do wear shorts).
Thanks for the tip! I always
Submitted by metropetrolitan on
Thanks for the tip! I'll look to update this and always think of those poor Torontonians every year when they have a heat wave coupled with high humidity. Bah!
I'm definitely looking to
Submitted by metropetrolitan on
I'm definitely looking to update this for next year. Laughed at the comments about adding a "super frigid zone." I also snapped a photo at Mountain Equipment Co-op of a winter cycling commuter. Wore a sweater in this AM and definitely was feeling a bit too warm.
gore tex
Submitted by 2wheeler on
I tried the goretex/waterproof breathable outfit in calgary for a few years but i really didn't find it ideal for our conditions. THey just left me sweaty and wet most of the days. I much prefer a wind/softshell for calgary's weather. it breathes much better and keeps you form getting wet from the inside out. We rarely get rain and with the snow you don't need waterproof, just water resistant.
I think MEC's bike clothing is designed in Vancouver where wet weather is the norm. In calgary it doesn't really work that well.
Not a fan of goretex/waterproof
Submitted by metropetrolitan on
Not a fan of goretex/waterproof for the same reasons that prefer to have a bit of breathability. In possibly soggy conditions I've also managed to find jacket that I use that has pit zips and have found them invaluable. I've also recognized that prefer wearing wool and moved away from wearing cotton. Cotton traps smells that wool doesn't. I'm a fan of Atmosphere clothing store, (location downtown and another new one at Market Mall I think now too). I'd love to see a store that is tailored to outdoorsy Calgary-centric climates with active mode transportation in mind. I'm also someone who appreciates clothing that has a bit of reflective material built in for commuting purposes as compared to say skiers or hikers clothing.
I have a gortex jacket
Submitted by winterrider on
It's an old climbing one, I keep it in the pannier in case it is pouring, but otherwise I only wear breathable fabric for precisely the reasons you mention. I get too hot, and too sweaty.
In addition to gortex in pouring rain, I also wear a wind breaking vest in cold conditions, usually -5 and below, though I'll often not use it depending on what other clothes I've put on.
agree; softshell better
Submitted by mikewarren on
I also prefer softshells over goretex etc. windPROOF is really, really good for when it gets cold. I wear fairly tight softshell pants (usually alpine climbing pants are the best, as they're typically pretty tight-fitting versus ones made for skiing). Fenders are a good idea with such a setup to avoid slushing yourself too much :)
I think I saw that guy...
Submitted by bclark on
...on the path today, near Edworth, then again near Downtown, and a later on 10th Street!
Comments about Gore-Tex. I've been wearing my old MEC Gore-Tex jacket because of the bright color and reflective stripes. I definitely agree with others though, it's not ideal. I've got the zips fully open most of the time and I don't really push the pace when wearing it. Multiple layers of breathable material, and possibly a part nylon shell are better. Personally, I use Ice-Breaker Merino Wool because it doesn't get as nasty as synthetics.