By Peter Burns

Blow Dryer

I am susceptible to cold hands and feet. On cold days I  pre-heat my gloves, socks, and shoes before I leave the house. I have to be careful because if I put the nozzle of the blow dryer too far into a shoe the blow dryer can overheat and shut off. If my hands and feet are warm before I leave the house I have a good chance of keeping them warm, as long as I don’t ride too far. I also use heated mittens. They really make a difference. I have not found any heated socks that do a good job.

By Peter Burns

Helpful Hint

Shift down before you get to a hill. On most bikes, it is more difficult to shift down when you are climbing a hill and putting pressure on the pedals. If you find yourself really out of breath when you get to the top of a hill you are in either too high or low a gear. The right gear enables you to get to the top of a hill at a slow but steady pace without either straining too hard or spinning your pedals. If you can’t find that gear you should get off your bike and walk to the top. As you get stronger, you will be able to climb longer and steeper hills. If you ride the same routes over and over again, you will get to know the best gear for each hill you encounter. Ideally, that gear will enable you to get up the hill with minimal effort.  Climbing hills takes effort but there is great satisfaction in making it to the top of a really bad-ass hill.

By Peter Burns

Helpful Hints

A lightweight waterproof jacket comes in handy in a sudden rainstorm or if it gets cold unexpectedly. Make sure the jacket is actually waterproof, look for sealed seams. Bring it along even if you think you will not need it. A stuff bag can make the jacket easier to pack. 

By Peter Burns

Helpful Hint

Puddles can be a challenge because they hide potholes. Get up off your saddle when you go through a puddle so that if you hit a pothole you can absorb the shock with your legs rather than with your butt. When you are off the saddle you also keep your feet as far away as possible from the water, so your feet have less chance of getting wet.

By Peter Burns

Helpful Hint

If you want to ride first thing in the morning, but have trouble motivating yourself, set out all your bike gear and clothing the night before. Some people wear their bike gear to bed! When you invest in the ride ahead of time it might be the nudge you need to get on your bike instead of taking the car. Driving is too easy. Unless there has been a snowstorm you can generally just jump into your car and go. A more radical solution is to get rid of your car. Motivation is less difficult when you have no choice. I have no car so if I want to get to work I have to either walk, take the bus or ride my bike. Riding my bike is the easiest choice most of the time.

By Peter Burns

Helpful Hint

At a four-way stop sign make eye contact with car drivers in the intersection. Even if you are riding with lights and reflective clothing, it is possible for a driver not to see you. Signal your intentions clearly by pointing in the direction you are going to go. If possible take the center of the lane when you get to a stop sign. You are much less visible to cars if you are over to the right and a car taking a right turn is more likely to turn into you.  

By Peter Burns

Helpful Hints

A banana holder keeps your banana from getting squished in your backpack or pannier on a long ride. You can get one online or at Outdoor Gear Exchange. Even if the hinge snaps off, as mine did, a rubber band will keep the two halves of the banana holder in place. If you don’t want to get a banana holder but enjoy bananas, you can squish a banana with peanut butter and put it in a small plastic container. It makes a good fast-energy snack. I prefer peanut butter with no sugar added, and I miss the peanut grinder at City Market. It was removed soon after the pandemic began. I enjoyed making my own peanut butter. I liked watching the machine extrude the freshly made peanut butter. I keep a  supply of snacks on hand for longer bike rides. I have dried fruit, pretzels, apples, and trail mix, and of course bananas. I like my bananas ripe and you can often get reduced price bananas at City Market. They have some brown spots but they are perfectly edible. I try to stop every hour for a snack.  Admittedly a banana holder is not a necessity, but I like specialized equipment that improves my bike riding experience. I don’t own a car and the money I save is significant but it would be easy to spend it all on high-end bike equipment. I do not include a banana holder in the category of high-end bike equipment.

By Peter Burns

Helpful Hints

Every commuter bike should have fenders. They make a big difference if you are riding in the rain or in slushy conditions. They are especially useful during mud season. Fenders are available for most kinds of bikes. Fenders are lightweight and will not slow you down.

By Peter Burns

Helpful Hint

Consider joining a Facebook group such as Bikeable Burlington Now or Vermont Bike Commuters. Being part of a virtual bike community can help you feel less isolated as a bike rider. If you are riding all winter long, it helps to know that others are doing the same thing and sharing some of the same challenges. It is also a great place to get answers to your bike-related questions and find out about infrastructure developments and ways you can help improve bike riding and walking for everyone. Also, don’t forget to join and support Local Motion!

By Peter Burns

Helpful Hint

Whenever possible ride on the road.  Sidewalks are primarily for pedestrians and when you are on the sidewalk it is easy for car drivers to ignore you. This means that when you are crossing a street it is more likely that a car will turn into you.