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with winter upon us , its time to rug up when out riding about. Wearing the right clothing will keep you comfortable and allow you to continue on your planned winter bike ride
A common mistake people make is to overdress which leads to increased sweating. The best form of dress is lightweight layers with fabrics designed for temperature regulation that allow you to easily manage the excess heat and sweat, as well as adjust to the weather conditions.
layers with zipped fronts work best for temperature control as you can adjust ventilation as you ride without having to take anything off
Inner/Base layers: Inner/Base Layers should be wicking layers, they are designed to take the sweat away from your skin, keeping you drier. They are made of Quick drying high-tech sports materials made from polyester or polypropylene. Avoid wearing T-shirts or any other garment made out of cotton. When cotton gets wet, it stays damp and sucks the heat right out of you.
Middle (or insulation) layers: Designed to provide insulation in cold weather and also they provide basic protection when worn alone in warmer conditions.
When out cycling the last thing you wan is to be bogged down in lots of heavy clothing. Modern lightweight synthetic fleece layers provide lots of warmth without the weight. The warmest insulation layers will probably not be needed since pedaling generates a lot of body heat. But it is always a good idea to keep them close in a waterproof bag.
Outer layers: Designed to protect you from the elements such as the wind, rain on in the extreme conditions, the snow. It is importan that it is of a bright color for greater visibility , its also a good idea for it to have a reflective material. Wind vests are a great as they keep your core warm due to the wind-proof material that blocks the cold blasts but still allowing for ventilation. The same rain/wind layers you use in moderate conditions should be fine for biking in colder conditions. It comes down to a bit of trial and error to find the outer layers that stops the wind from stealing warmth, while still providing enough ventilation to keep from overheating. Make sure the outer layers you use for cold weather riding are roomy enough to be comfortable with other layers on underneath.
For your legs choose comfortable winter tights that move with your body and is made from a wicking and insulating material.
Arm & Knee Warmers - These are quite easy to pull on and off ,they roll up small and can be easily stuffed into any space available such as pockets . The great thing about Arm warmers is that they can turn a short-sleeve Jersey into a long sleeve within seconds. Knee or full-length leg warmers can be added for those cool early morning rides. They come in great use when the weather suddenly cools or with the temperature differences due to winds or hills.
Headwear - The head and neck lose heat faster than any other part of the body. Thin wool or polypro hats, balaclavas, ear warmers or helmet liners can be worn under your helmet. High The material wicks moisture away keeping your head and neck warm and dry. The extra material to your head you might need to adjust your helmet by adding or removing that padding material. Your helmet should be a nice snug and comfortable fit and remember to readjust if you decide not to wear your winter headgear.
Bike Gloves -Bike gloves can cut down finger injuries and discomforts such as blisters and finger cramps. In cold weather numb and cold fingers reduce your ability to control the bike. You can purchase cycling gloves to cover all sorts of weather conditions and temperature, from lightweight waterproof cycling gloves to insulated gloves. If you already have a pair of short-finger cycling gloves, a set of lightweight, inexpensive polypro glove liners can be worn underneath regular cycling gloves for extra protection in dry conditions. A nylon/GoreTex pair would be ideal for the wet weather emergency. Just pull them on over your regular cycling gloves keeping your hands warm enough to brake, shift, and most importantly still giving you control of your bike.
Cycling Eyewear - Most cyclists wear some form of eye protection whenever they are riding,(sunglasses, regular eyeglasses or cycling goggles). Eye protection protects your eyes from dust, dirt, cold wind, pebbles, bugs and low hanging branches and many other danger.
In cool temperatures cycling glasses fog up when your warm breath mixes with the cool air creating condensation on the lenses. On the market are anti-fog sprays/wipes that you apply to the lenses. Make sure you read the directions and any warning labels as some chemicals in the products may damage special lens coatings.
Bike Shoes - There is nothing more uncomfortable than numb, frozen, cold wet feet and toes! Depending on what pedalling system you using thereare several footwear options that you can use. The first line of defense is socks. Lightweight woolen socks go a long way towards keeping your feet warm. Then over those you can pull on a pair of Neoprene socks which add an extra layer of warmth along with water/windproof protection. It is important that your shoes have enough toe room left. Too tight, and your feet will feel colder due to constricted blood circulation.
If you use clipless pedals, look for winter cycling boots or shoes which are compatible with your pedals. Or you always have the options of switching for the season. With this option your footwear choices expands, you can wear a pair of lightweight waterproof hiking or winter boots. You can also get fleece-lined neoprene boot covers.
A common mistake people make is to overdress which leads to increased sweating. The best form of dress is lightweight layers with fabrics designed for temperature regulation that allow you to easily manage the excess heat and sweat, as well as adjust to the weather conditions.
layers with zipped fronts work best for temperature control as you can adjust ventilation as you ride without having to take anything off
Inner/Base layers: Inner/Base Layers should be wicking layers, they are designed to take the sweat away from your skin, keeping you drier. They are made of Quick drying high-tech sports materials made from polyester or polypropylene. Avoid wearing T-shirts or any other garment made out of cotton. When cotton gets wet, it stays damp and sucks the heat right out of you.
Middle (or insulation) layers: Designed to provide insulation in cold weather and also they provide basic protection when worn alone in warmer conditions.
When out cycling the last thing you wan is to be bogged down in lots of heavy clothing. Modern lightweight synthetic fleece layers provide lots of warmth without the weight. The warmest insulation layers will probably not be needed since pedaling generates a lot of body heat. But it is always a good idea to keep them close in a waterproof bag.
Outer layers: Designed to protect you from the elements such as the wind, rain on in the extreme conditions, the snow. It is importan that it is of a bright color for greater visibility , its also a good idea for it to have a reflective material. Wind vests are a great as they keep your core warm due to the wind-proof material that blocks the cold blasts but still allowing for ventilation. The same rain/wind layers you use in moderate conditions should be fine for biking in colder conditions. It comes down to a bit of trial and error to find the outer layers that stops the wind from stealing warmth, while still providing enough ventilation to keep from overheating. Make sure the outer layers you use for cold weather riding are roomy enough to be comfortable with other layers on underneath.
For your legs choose comfortable winter tights that move with your body and is made from a wicking and insulating material.
Arm & Knee Warmers - These are quite easy to pull on and off ,they roll up small and can be easily stuffed into any space available such as pockets . The great thing about Arm warmers is that they can turn a short-sleeve Jersey into a long sleeve within seconds. Knee or full-length leg warmers can be added for those cool early morning rides. They come in great use when the weather suddenly cools or with the temperature differences due to winds or hills.
Headwear - The head and neck lose heat faster than any other part of the body. Thin wool or polypro hats, balaclavas, ear warmers or helmet liners can be worn under your helmet. High The material wicks moisture away keeping your head and neck warm and dry. The extra material to your head you might need to adjust your helmet by adding or removing that padding material. Your helmet should be a nice snug and comfortable fit and remember to readjust if you decide not to wear your winter headgear.
Bike Gloves -Bike gloves can cut down finger injuries and discomforts such as blisters and finger cramps. In cold weather numb and cold fingers reduce your ability to control the bike. You can purchase cycling gloves to cover all sorts of weather conditions and temperature, from lightweight waterproof cycling gloves to insulated gloves. If you already have a pair of short-finger cycling gloves, a set of lightweight, inexpensive polypro glove liners can be worn underneath regular cycling gloves for extra protection in dry conditions. A nylon/GoreTex pair would be ideal for the wet weather emergency. Just pull them on over your regular cycling gloves keeping your hands warm enough to brake, shift, and most importantly still giving you control of your bike.
Cycling Eyewear - Most cyclists wear some form of eye protection whenever they are riding,(sunglasses, regular eyeglasses or cycling goggles). Eye protection protects your eyes from dust, dirt, cold wind, pebbles, bugs and low hanging branches and many other danger.
In cool temperatures cycling glasses fog up when your warm breath mixes with the cool air creating condensation on the lenses. On the market are anti-fog sprays/wipes that you apply to the lenses. Make sure you read the directions and any warning labels as some chemicals in the products may damage special lens coatings.
Bike Shoes - There is nothing more uncomfortable than numb, frozen, cold wet feet and toes! Depending on what pedalling system you using thereare several footwear options that you can use. The first line of defense is socks. Lightweight woolen socks go a long way towards keeping your feet warm. Then over those you can pull on a pair of Neoprene socks which add an extra layer of warmth along with water/windproof protection. It is important that your shoes have enough toe room left. Too tight, and your feet will feel colder due to constricted blood circulation.
If you use clipless pedals, look for winter cycling boots or shoes which are compatible with your pedals. Or you always have the options of switching for the season. With this option your footwear choices expands, you can wear a pair of lightweight waterproof hiking or winter boots. You can also get fleece-lined neoprene boot covers.