One of the great things about cycling is that you can enjoy it all year round, through all manner of weather conditions. It’s easy though to get demotivated when the temperature is sub zero, when it’s icy cold and a short spell outside leaves you shivering unless you’re wearing the biggest jumpers and coats you own.
Cycling through such a cold spell then requires careful consideration in your choice of clothing. Approached correctly, you can keep the entire body from getting cold for the duration of your ride.
But what’s the best clothing approach? I’ve learnt, mainly through much trial and error (and getting it wrong on more occasions than I care to recount), which clothing works and which doesn’t. So here’s some of my cold weather tips.
Start with a decent baselayer. It’s been said time and time again but a quality baselayer will provide much warmth and keep your skin dry when you sweat during a brisk ride. I favour a long sleeve Merino type, for its softness next to the skin, the fact it stays warm even when wet and it doesn’t stink to high heaven.
Over this I’ll choose a long sleeve jersey of a medium thickness, with a full-length zip, a nice length collar and several pockets for storing food and spares. This is my main insulation layer and so needs to be made from high quality materials and importantly of a good fit. On the outside a windproof and water resistant jacket will be worn; the colder it is the heavier the jacket as a typical rule.
I struggle with poor circulation, so I pay particularly careful notice to ensuring I do everything possible to prevent my hands and feet from getting cold. If you let them get cold, there’s no warming them up during a ride, and discomfort won’t be far around the corner. A pair of medium thickness socks coupled with oversocks and a pair of thick waterproof/windproof overshoes pulled over the shoes deos nicely.
Fingers I encase in the thickest snuggest gloves I can lay my hands on, and if it’s several degrees below zero I’ll add in a pair of thin glove liners – they can easily be removed mid-ride should I get too warm. Better to get too warm and then cool down than to stay cold.
For the head and ears it’s Merino wool again, thin enough to fit between head and helmet.
With the right clothing, riding in the cold isn’t all that bad. It is easy, however, to overdo it and wear too much, and gauging how much to wear in the warmth of your house only makes it all the more tricky. Ride at a decent speed and you’ll warm up quickly and, should you have too many layers, you’ll end up in a big sweaty mess.
More cold weather riding top tips
Are you prepared for the winter?
