Cycling In Winter, How To Keep Warm

There is nothing better than a ride in the winter, but only when you are fully prepared for the cold weather. This means ensuring that you wear the correct clothing for your ride.

When you ride in the winter you need to ensure that you are comfortably warm, but to also ensure that you are not too hot as you will sweat even in the freezing cold. A Baselayer will wick away the sweat from your body, whilst also keeping you warm.

There are many different types of baselayers available, most riders wear one all year round, from a vest in summer to short sleeve in spring and autumn and a long sleeve one in the winter months. They help to keep the wind out all year round.

Full length or 3/4 length cycling tights can be worn in the autumn / winter months. Some even come with a fleece lining to keep you nice and warm. Or if your are brave you could still wear your cycling shorts and get some leg warmers for the really cold days.

The head is another area you should invest in keeping warm. As well as the standard helmet you can thin lycra skull caps to wear under you helmet to keep your head warm, they also usually cover your ears. Or you can just get a lycra band that covers your forehead and ears.

It is vital to keep your fingers and hands warm when cycling in the freezing winter months, you need to be able to change gear and brake quickly. Invest in a good pair of long fingered gloves to help keep your hands warm.

Cycling shoes normally have mesh on the upper part of the shoe to allow cold air in to keep your feet cool in the summer months. To combat this either wear full overshoe covers, or my personal option just wear toe covers to keep your toes covered and warm.

Cycling glasses will not only keep the rain and the snow out of your eyes, but they will protect them from stones and grit that are thrown up by cars. Many have lens that can be changed so you can wear them in the summer with a dark uv lens to protect your eyes from the sun.

Make sure that you not only enjoy your cycling in the winter. Ensure that you are not only warm, but that you can be seen clearly by other road users. Wear light and bright clothing to help them see you and reflective clothing at night.