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Preparing for the winter

It’s that time of year again when the inevitable happens; it turns cold, it rains a lot, and is dark most of the time. Keeping motivation levels high when the roads are frosting over or rain is pounding on the windows is difficult, and unless you’re fortunate enough to own a second home in the Caribbean or packing the bike away for the winter, taking a few steps to prepare for the winter are vital.

Luckily, conditions don’t usually get that extreme in most of the UK, but still, you can never underestimate how seriously cold it can get. Getting cold is not pleasant so it’s crucial to be ready for the change in temperatures when you’re riding. The weather can easily change in the time you’re out – the day may start fine and clear but if it turns while you’re in the middle of nowhere, adequate clothing is a good step to preventing, in the worst case scenario, hypothermia.

Something easily forgotten but which can make a huge difference, the wind-chill factor needs to be taken into account. It may only be 5 degrees outside, but travel at 20mph and you’re looking at a temperature in the region of -15 degrees. Yikes!

To help you prepare for the winter, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite cold weather gear, with advice on layering and other essential items to keep the cold at bay.

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Jackets

Jacket: this is perhaps the most essential item in your arsenal, a lightweight shell that can small is ideal for most conditions. Rapha’s Stowaway jacket is one such lightweight shell. It packs easily into a jersey pocket and offers incredible water-proofing, and copes with a range of conditions. We’re currently testing Gore Bike Wear’s new Xenon jacket, which is equally lightweight and packable, but offers good value for money, plus the sleeves are lined for cooler days.

We’ve been impressed with Nike clothing before, and the Clima-Fit jacket didn’t disappoint. Made from Pertex (the same stuff they use for Parachutes), it’s well cut for a close fit, with skinny arms, short front, long back, fleece collar and a rear pocket. But the USP is the arms, which zip off leaving you with a gillet – this versatility is perfect for many occasions.

It may not rain all that much, but when its not you can guarantee it’ll be windy. On days like these a dedicated wind shell is an ideal accompaniment, and they are usually slightly waterproof if you do get caught in a shower. Specialized’s Windjacket Pro is so light you won’t notice you’re wearing it, and with no frills or pockets it packs down very small. It will struggle with persistent rainfall, so make sure to carefully study the forecast before leaving the house.

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Layering

Layering can be a fine art; you can never be entirely sure how much you need to wear, what with the frequently changeable conditions only adding to the problem. Mystic Meg’s crystal ball would certainly come in handy here. But get your layering sorted and you shouldn’t have any issues again. Experience counts a lot, so getting out on your bike and trying different clothing combinations until you find the right balance is our top tip.

The beauty of layering is it allows you to adjust what you’re wearing should you get too cold or warm mid-ride. Start with a baselayer, a long-sleeve being preferable in the winter, and add thick layers depending on the temperature. We’re partial to the Merino wool variety; the natural wool is hard to beat for comfort next to the skin, and if it gets wet you’ll still stay warm. It’s also odour resistant which is nice. On the other hand, man-made fabrics boast of high wicking and temperature control, and usually come with a more attractive price tag. Two favourites among the RCUK crew are the Rapha Undervest and USE X-Zone baselayers.

Depending on how cold it is, you’ll want a mid-layer. This can really vary from your normal short sleeve jersey to a thick fleece, so choose for the conditions. For extremely cold weather fuguJack from Assos will guarantee snugness, or a thin Merino layer like Rapha’s Fixed jersey is suitable if it’s warmer. Look for ventilation options, and windproofing too so you can use as a top-layer.

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Bib tights

Three quarter bibs or knee-warmers are ok until it gets really cold. Until it does we prefer to use bibs and knee-warmers as they’re versatile. Endura’s three-quarter bibs offer a good balance between price, fit and technology, and being a UK based company they know very well the demands of the average UK cyclist. For full length bib tights Giordano’s Technical Windscreen’s offer the quality, high performance and value for money we’ve come to expect from the Giordana, plus full wind proofing from a three-layer construction.

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