Cold Weather Riding

I have had a few people ask me about cold weather riding this week. Being a cold weather wuss, but not wanting to give up my bike riding during the winter, I had to figure out how to ride in the winter time without freezing. I hope these tips will prove useful. Everyone has a different formula for staying warm, this should be good enough info for you to start experimenting. Most people say you should start the ride a bit chilly so you can warm up. I sometimes prefer to start warm and strip off some clothing along the way. I do not like being cold on the bike.

I categorize cold into three zones, above 50 degrees, 35 to 50 degrees and below 35 degrees. Your zones may be different, but my bones get cold when it gets below 50. If the wind is above 10 mph, dress like it is 5 degrees cooler.

Above 50

Keeping warm above 50 is not difficult. I will wear items that can be added or removed during the ride, like arm warmers and knee or leg warmers. I will often wear a long sleeve base layer, jersey and a wind vest. I will add the arm warmers on top of the base layer if I get chilled. Normal long fingered gloves will suffice. In some cases, I will wear long fingered glove inserts and short fingered gloves on top. I may wear something under my helmet to cover my ears and often will wear thicker socks. The key is to have a jersey with big pockets so you can add or take away if you get too hot.

35 to 50

I normally wear the same outer layers for any temp in this zone. I will wear a larger jacket that has a large back pocket. If I get to warm I can take off a layer and stash it away. Be sure it is a jacket with a full front zip. This will allow you to unzip and cool off if necessary. Depending on the temp, I will could have a short sleeve base layer, long sleeve base layer and a short sleeve jersey under the jacket. I will wear a baclava under my helmet. The Baclava allows you to cover the head, ears, neck and the nose and mouth, if needed. I will have cycling shorts and long tights for the lower half of the body. The feet will have thicker socks and toe covers. I will have thicker long gloves with inserts if necessary. Be sure your jacket and gloves are wind poof. The secret weapon is hand and foot warmer packets. Place these in your gloves or the bottom of your sock and you will be nice and toasty.

Below 35

Yes, some people do ride in below 35 weather. You will pretty much wear the same gear as the 35-50 zone with a few additions. I may double up on the base layers and place some of the foot warmers in between the base layers. I will use full shoe covers instead of toe covers. The leg tights are also a bit different. They are thicker and have a wind resistant material on the front side from the waist to the toes. In addition to the baclava, I will wear a neck gator. I also have a gator made to cover the lower half of your face, from your ear and nose to your neck. You can also opt to buy a helmet cover. I sometimes carry a thermos of coffee if my back jacket pocket. You would be surprise at how great a warm cup of coffee is half way through the ride.