Odd Bikes in the Snow: Cold-Weather Penny Farthing Riding

The weather might have taken a turn for the worse for most of us in the Northeast and Midwest, with bitterly cold temperatures and plenty of snow in the near forecast, but the truth is that doesn’t mean we have to stay inside.

In fact, we can capitalize on the fact that most other people will stay indoors, giving us the opportunity to enjoy outdoor recreation, and mostly to ourselves.

Case in point, get your odd bike, specifically your penny farthing, out of storage, and take it for a ride in the snow. Here are some tips to make sure that you get the most out of your winter outing.

Safety First

The first and most important thing to remember is that riding in the snow is not without risks; despite what might seem like the benefit of a snow cushion underneath you, the risks of falling are much elevated when riding on snow, or worse, on ice.

Never go riding without a helmet, and consider wearing knee, elbow and wrist pads, along with other protective gear.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by glare in the snow, too, so give your eyes plenty of shade. Good sunglasses are more than a strong suggestion here.

And, as for your feet, choose sturdy and well-insulated sneakers. They will offer you better sensitivity and flexibility than snow boots and should still help you keep warm.

Mind the Road Conditions

Once you’re prepared with appropriate safety gear for an odd bike ride, be conscious of where you intend to ride and what the road conditions are like.

Penny farthings have relatively narrow tires considering their size and weight, so avoid areas with deep snow. The tire will cut in like a knife and will not afford you any good handling.

If you can, stick to roads, paths and trails that have been well-plowed and salted, and which are clear. Remember that wind chill can create patches of ice on areas that are otherwise ice-free.

And, speaking of ice, avoid it if you can. Bikes handle poorly (as a general rule) in the snow, but they are even worse on ice. If you can’t avoid a patch of ice, just cruise over it. Don’t make any sudden movements or try to stop. That’s where mishaps are most likely to occur.

Again, avoid deep snow, as it will be difficult to handle a penny farthing in it; if you must take your penny through a patch of unplowed snow, make sure you have a good head of steam going into it; not too fast, but not slow either. If the bike stops completely, it will be very difficult to overcome the resistance of the snow and you will likely need to dismount and walk through it.

Which is one more observation: if you feel it’s safer to come down off the saddle and walk through a section of the road or trail, by all means, do so.

Handling and Braking

Penny farthings are a challenge to handle and brake even under ideal conditions. Remember that in snow and on ice they will be even trickier to handle deftly.

Two of the most important caveats you can observe with respect to riding a penny farthing in the snow are that they will be even harder to stop, and that making aggressive turns can cause the wheel to bind in the snow, throwing you over the handlebars, or, as we say, “taking a header.”

On the former note, it is important that you never try to stop short. This is true even when conditions are not inclement, but doing so in snow may not just cause you to flip over the handlebars, it could cause the penny to skid, which can result in loss of control. Try to coast to a stop if at all possible, and don’t ride too fast in the snow to begin with.

As for handling, make turns very gradually and at lower speeds, if possible. That way, if the odd bike makes any untoward response, you will have a better chance to catch and rectify the error before you end up adding an unplanned dismount in the snow to your list of experiences on a penny.

Clothing

Lastly, before you get in the saddle on a snowy day, make sure you are dressed appropriately:

• Dress in layers. You don’t just want a heavy shell. Wear a warm wool baselayer, followed by a midlayer that will offer you most of your insulation, topped by a shell that is waterproof and windproof.
• Wear wool socks, and if it’s very cold, consider doubling up with a silk sock underneath.
• Keep your hands covered; gloves offer better dexterity but in most cases, you won’t need that on a bike and mittens will be fine. Wind resistant gloves or mittens are best.
• Windchill contributes to the cold as you ride, so make sure any other exposed areas are covered up, including your neck and ears.
• Consider bringing handwarmers and keeping them in your pack so you can break them out as needed.

Lastly, make sure you don’t overexert yourself. Getting wet in the cold is dangerous, and this includes sweat. If you start to sweat, either stop and shed a layer or slow down.

Also, don’t forget to bring water, even though that has nothing to do with dressing appropriately. People wrongly assume they won’t get dehydrated in the cold, but you lose water with every breath. Keep hydrated while you’re out there even when it’s cold.

Be Safe on Your Odd Bike

All in all, taking a joy ride in the saddle of an odd bike like a penny farthing can be a blast in cold, snowy weather just as it is when the skies are clear and it’s warm out.

Just remember to be safe, prepare for the conditions, plan your trip, and take your time. If you’ve only been a summer rider up to now, you’re missing half of the year, and the winter offers some of the prettiest sights of all the seasons.