Out Doors
by Elizabeth Bassett

Spring Beckons Bikers

How do bikers know it’s time to start pedaling in spring?
“It’s a combination of temperature, sunshine, wind and antsyness,’’ says Chris Ekman, who has been known to commute to work in Burlington from his home in Charlotte.
“It’s definitely a function of temperature and sunshine,” says Mac Keyser, another avid Charlotte biker. “But it’s as much about perceived temperature as the mercury. I have more trouble in the fall. In the winter we’re used to wearing lots of clothes. In the fall, when we’re used to warm days and riding in shorts, it’s harder for me to ride on a cold day.”
Both men offer a long list of necessary clothing for cool weather biking. “Think layers,” Chris says, suggesting full gloves or ‘lobster’ mitts (if your shifters will accommodate them), tights or leggings with wind panels, windbreaker, vest, balaclava or hat in addition to a helmet and booties. “There are full booties or toe-type booties,” Mac explains, “and neoprene. Also rainproof booties so your shoes don’t fill up with water from the road. But, then, I wouldn’t consider riding in the rain at 40 degrees,” he adds.
“I feel like the Michelin man,” Chris says. “If there is no wind, I’ll consider riding when the temperature is in the 30s, but it helps if the sun is out. Somewhere around 45° or 50°, lots more people get on their bikes.”
Mac and Chris agree that wind is a deal-breaker when the temperatures are low. “In the summer at 80°, wind is an inconvenience, except when it’s at your back,” Chris says. “At 40° it really changes the ride. When it’s cold I usually ride a mountain bike or cross bike, even on paved roads,” Mac says. “You have to work much harder so you build up more heat to keep you warm. A road bike lets you go faster for less expenditure of energy. The wind chill at these temperatures is really cold!”
It seems that, if you are hard-core enough to road bike on chilly spring days, you may be serious enough to have more than one bicycle. “I have an old ‘beater’ bike with fenders for when the roads are salty, sandy, and sloppy,” Chris says. Mac takes the discussion a step further. “Even if the roads are dry, there is dust from the salt. In a cold garage at this time of year there is condensation on metal. That leads to corrosion,” Mac says. Unless, of course, you own a bicycle made from titanium, aluminum or carbon fiber.
Linda Samter mountain bikes in addition to road biking. “Of course it’s a function of temperature and weather,” she says about spring riding, “but for mountain biking it’s also about the condition of the trails.” Before the birth of their son, Griffin, Linda and her husband, Tom Hengelsberg, were avid mountain bikers. “The important thing is to make sure the trails are dry enough,” Linda says. “Riding on wet trails is very damaging to the land. The Fellowship of the Wheel website, fotwheel.org, is where we turn. Fellowship of the Wheel details what trails are open. From that we can determine what else might be safe to pedal. Charlotte’s clay soils make for late riding, but nearby there are many sandier venues.”
Tom and Linda, who live in East Charlotte, also pedal their mountain bikes on dirt roads. “We may end up briefly on a paved road, but we can go a good distance toward Monkton and stay on dirt. Also, we like doing loops at Thompson’s Point.”
The Fellowship of the Wheel is a local group of volunteers that creates and maintains trails for mountain biking. Currently the website lists many trails open for biking on snow. The site includes location maps, trail maps, activities of the group and much more.
This spring there are several opportunities to improve your bike safety skills and your repair proficiency.
Access CVU offers Introductory Smart Cycling 101 on Tuesday, May 19, from 6-7:30 p.m. The Smart Cycling program helps you to ride safely on roads or trails, to teach others those skills---especially your children, and to learn how to share the road with cyclists when driving. The instructor David Jacobowitz is certified by the League of American Bicyclists. The course is free but limited to 25 participants. Contact access@cvuhs.org or call 482-7194 to register.
The Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition, vtbikeped.org, offers a similar but more extensive course called Traffic Skills 101. This full-day, hands-on course involves four hours of classroom time and four hours of practice on a bicycle in Burlington neighborhoods. Traffic Skills 101 will be offered on Saturday, April 18, with a rain date of April 25. The cost is $55 with lunch or $50 without, and the class is limited to 20 participants. This class will also be offered in Montpelier in May.
Starting on May 11 and continuing on Mondays at 7 p.m. into August, Earl’s Cyclery & Fitness at 2500 Williston Road in South Burlington will offer a free basic maintenance clinic. You’ll do emergency repairs, including changing a flat tire, and learn simple skills needed to keep a bike running smoothly, like lubricating the chain and shifting and braking efficiently. Visit earlsbikes.com.
The Ski Rack in Burlington will soon schedule a summer series of free clinics to include basic maintenance and repair and bike safety. Dates and times will be posted on its website skirack.com.
On the next sunny day, pump up the tires, layer up, put on your helmet, and start pedaling!