Cycling in a Winnipeg Winter

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I recently found this video that depicted a couple biking around various path in Winnipeg, both in the Winter and the Summer. Long story short  I spent all Spring,Summer and Fall biking to and from work and school. Then I hit the "Winter" factor. Winnipeg is by far one of the coldest places in Canada. We may not have the record for most snow but we certainly do for largest temperature range. One of my friends that I usually ride with made the leap and has decided to ride through the winter. I dont know if its the fact that he is crazier then I but I think I can do it too ..... fuck him :). Anways back to the video I usually lurk on the bikeforums.com website and someone posted the link "Winter cycling in Winnipeg ".

Anyways I "man trackered" the original guy who created the video and emailed him :)

Here is our conversation

Hey man saw your post on bikeforums.com in the winter section .... its weird how winnipeg just popup in places, eh.

Anyways I am a fellow winnipeger and spent most of this summer/fall commuting downtown to work and school on bicycle. I was thinking of trying to ride in the winter but I am kind of scared how the roaads would be. Do you have any advice since it seems you have already spent some time sharing the roads with winnipeg winter drivers ?
Also is this the jacket your wearing in your video ?

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442627271&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692343&bmUID=1257141982013

The very next day I got his reply, this man knows his shit !

Hi there.

Funny small world the internet has created is right! I don't even use bikeforums.com. Maybe I should, looks like some interesting discussion threads. My little video has gotten a few of my bike racing friends in Wpg who don't already ride much in the cold more interested in hardcore winter biking. I am connected with a few biking clubs that do ride and race ALL year.

That MEC jacket is the more expensive version of the one I am using right now:
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442628997&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692343&bmUID=1257189384653
The one I use is great but that jacket would be awesome.
Like we Winnipeggers know, it's all about layering in the cold and not getting sweated up. Big jackets don't work for biking, but wind protection is essential. These jackets have excellent armpit, arm & side zipper venting that allows you to control your heat build up. It's well designed for biking with the thumb loops, back flap and reflective strips. It is not perfectly waterproof, but that's actually better, because the material allows some breathing ... less sweat!

Winter riding advice, hmmm:

• Lot's of flashers back and front. I decent front light.
• Studded tires ... big time. I like the one's that have carbide screws heads in both sidewalls - large lugs. Olympia Cycle on Portage gets mtb tires in and puts the screws in themselves. They rock!
• Some fenders for sure for the slushy salt created sections.
• Flat pedals and good hiking style boots or whatever is warm and grips.
• A rearview mirror ... hey I race mtb and would normally not be caught dead with one on the trails, but in town ... it's needed, esp in the winter!
• Consider using some cheap ski goggles when it's frickin cold.
• Avoid the busy main roads and the gutters, then it's not bad at all. Look for all the connector pathways, it's amazing how many paths are totally rideable in winter and the city if finally getting work done on improvements. Start your ride a bit sooner, take the quiet streets, ride faster with good tires and giddy-up!

Wow, that sounded old-school preachy! Sorry, got on a roll there.

Safe riding dude.

Tom

 Just like to take this moment to thank Tom, a true friendly Winnipeger.