With the right kit, there’s no excuse not to get out on the bike in winter
Freezing temperatures, wind and rain is enough to send most cyclists scuttling back to the warmth of indoor training. But even in winter, a ride outside can be much more satisfying than spinning the wheels on the turbo trainer. Catch a rare day of winter sun and you may get some of the best riding conditions of the year.
Whether you’re heading off down the trails or hitting the road, here are our top tips to keep warm on winter rides. So you have no excuses for not getting out there!
Choose the Right Clothing
Cycling in winter is a tricky balance. It’s soooo cold when you leave the house that it can be really tempting to pile on layer after layer. But do this and half-way up that first hill, I can guarantee you will be sweating your socks off and regretting it. It’s best to leave the house a little chilly and warm up into the ride than cart around extra layers you don’t need.
A good base layer, such as the Spotti long sleeve cycling jersey, is a must for cold weather riding. Choose one that wicks away moisture as well as keeping you warm. Windproof baselayers are a good idea to block freezing north winds, but they’re often slightly heavier and thicker-weight. If you’re prone to overheating a better option may be to carry a super-lightweight windproof top in your jersey pocket for downhill sections.
Arm warmers are great for early and late season rides – when the air is just a bit chilly first thing, but it warms up nicely later on.
Look After Your Extremities
While your legs will be doing a great job of keeping themselves warm, it’s the outer parts of your body you need to look out for in the cold. Your fingers and toes don’t do much moving when you’re on the bike, so focus on wrapping them up warm. If you’ve ever experienced the dreaded hot-aches, you’ll appreciate just how painful cold hands can be!
Finding the right winter glove is always tough. You want something that’s going to keep your fingers warm, but still give you the dexterity you need to change gears and use the brakes. Plus you need good grip, particuarly in wet conditions. If dexterity is your top priority, then you may want to go for a full fingered glove such as the Craft Storm Bike Glove. However, if you can sacrifice a bit of dexterity in favour of warmth, then a lobster split finger glove such as the Pearl Izumi Ride Pro AMFIB glove may suit you better.
Make sure you pick a glove that’s windproof and ideally waterproof or water resistance. Long cuffs will help keep your wrists warm and improve blood flow to your hands. In the coldest conditions, a thermal liner glove such as the Pearl Izumi Thermal Lite Glove will provide an extra layer of warmth.
And don’t neglect your feet! Whether you’re cycling on wet roads or down muddy dirt tracks, your feet are likely to get wet in winter. Overshoes are a winter essential, to stop your feet freezing in your cycling shoes. Some overshoes are just windproof and are often made of neoprene to keep your feet warm even if they do get wet, but there are also waterproof options.
Some people swear by waterproof socks, such as the SealSkinz Hydrostop but I’d say this is a personal choice. They’re a bit like Marmite – you either love them or hate them. Merino wool is a popular choice as it provides warmth without bulk. If you get really cold feet, you could even opt for heated insoles. Mmmm…
Keep Your Head Warm
On whistling downhills your noggin can get pretty chilly, and frozen ears are one of my least favourite parts of winter riding. As bike helmets are designed primarily with weight and ventilation in mind, they don’t help with keeping your head warm in cold weather.
For spring and autumn rides, a thin buff may be a good compromise between warmth and breathability. We recommend going for two; one for your neck, and one for your head. But when the temperatures really plummet, you’ll be after a decent insulating hat. The Arc’Teryx Rho LTW Beanie is made of warm merino wool and looks just as cool walking about town as on the bike. If it’s windy and wet out, then the Castelli Tempesta Hood is made from waterproof and water-resistant materials – it also has a neck gaiter to provide full head and face protection. Riders with long hair may like the Pearl Izumi Barrier Skull Cap which has a ponytail-friendly rear flap.
Stay Dry
Getting wet is a sure-fire route to getting cold. Though you may not want to wear a waterproof jacket all day if rain’s forecast then it’s worth having a lightweight jacket to hand. The Endura FS260-Pro Adrenaline Race Cape provides a good compromise between waterproofness, breathability and cost and is small enough to roll up into your jersey pocket.
If you know you’re going to be out in bad weather, or are looking at a tougher option for the trails, then the Gore Bike Wear One jacket is a good all-rounder, or, for a less jaw-dropping price, the Enduro MT500 II jacket.
Plan a Pit Stop
It’s important to keep well hydrated and fueled on long rides, particularly in winter. But stopping for longer than five minutes is guaranteed to chill you down fast. Planning your route to take in a nice warm cafe is a good compromise (particularly if they do great cake). Hot tea will warm you up and you can take a break without losing all the heat you’ve been generating on the bike. The hardest part will be resisting the temptation to stay all day.