Winter is a great time for biking, but staying warm can be challenging. The cold weather can be overcome in a few ways. In this article, I’ll discuss How to keep yourself warm during winter bike riding.
Keeping yourself warm can be tricky when you’re out riding your bike in the cold weather. Some tips to keep yourself warm while winter biking include wearing a warm coat and a hat and bringing a thermos of hot chocolate or coffee. And, of course, always ride slowly and cautiously so as not to get too cold. No matter how you choose to warm up, make sure you’re safe and comfortable while cycling.
Why Need To Keep Yourself Warm While Winter Bike Riding?
Riding in winter can be quite challenging. You will feel miserable if you get too cold. You must also be careful if cycling long distances to avoid hypothermia and frostbite. Clothing made from warm, breathable, sweat-wicking, and quick-drying materials is ideal for winter cycling.
How To Keep Yourself Warm While Winter Bike Riding?
It can be difficult to stay warm when the weather turns cold in the winter. You should also avoid overheating to keep your toes and fingers as sensational as possible. Cover your upper body with a close base layer, a few layers you can move around in, and an extra one if you get wet.
Cold Weather Layering Systems
There are three types of cycling layering systems that can be used in cold weather.
Layers At The Bottom
Your skin is directly exposed to this layer. Sweatshirts should be warm, sweat-wicking, and quick-drying. It is ideal if your base layer also provides insulation when wet. Long-sleeved base layers or thick cycling jerseys can be worn depending on the temperature.
Thermodynamic long underwear should be worn under shorts or cycling tights if it is cold. The odor-resistant and thermal properties of merino wool make it a perfect base layer material. Base layers can also be made from synthetic thermal long underwear.
At The Mid-Layer:
Additional insulation is provided by this layer. Whenever you feel too hot, you will remove this layer. Fleece jackets and wool sweaters are excellent mid-layers.
It is recommended that you wear a thicker mid-layer in colder weather. Long sleeves and tights are sufficient if it’s not too cold. If your mid-layer gets wet, it should dry quickly and provide insulation.
In The Outer Layer:
It’s your windproof and waterproof layer. Snow and wind chill are protected when you ride in it. A rain jacket with an insulated lining can be worn over your mid-layer if the weather is chilly. If temperatures are well below freezing, you may need a winter jacket. Wear waterproof pants when the weather is wet.
It is ideal for wearing outer layers that are waterproof and breathable. It is also important that there be plenty of vents on the garment so that sweat can escape. You should remove your outer layer during the summer if it’s not snowing. Waterproof jackets are not always breathable, even if they are marketed as such.
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Warm Up Your Extremities
Cold hands and feet are the first to become a problem as your internal temperature drops.
It is also possible for wind chill to play a role. While cycling, you face the wind with your hands and feet. Cold air can remove heat quickly from them when it passes over them. Frostbite can occur in very cold temperatures.
It becomes uncomfortable and even painful to cycle with frozen fingers and toes. In addition, controlling the bike becomes more challenging. Your fingers lose skill when they get cold. In this situation, braking levers and shifters are hard to manipulate. Hands that are freezing make it harder to control the bike. It might be easier to maintain your cadence if your feet are warm enough. You’ll feel unsteady. Gloves and shoes should be worn properly.
Cycling Gloves For Winter
Winter cycling gloves will keep your hands warm. Good insulation should be provided by these. Waterproof and windproof cycling gloves are essential. As well as offering good hand dexterity, your gloves should also make it easy to control the shifters and brake levers. When you’re wearing your winter gloves, your hands shouldn’t slip when they’re wet.
In extremely cold or wet weather, you may want to wear disposable plastic or rubber gloves under your winter cycling gloves. Hands are protected from cold air by these vapor barriers. Your sweat does not evaporate through the waterproof gloves. You will be able to keep your hands warmer as a result. However, they will become sweaty and clammy. Warming your hands with air-activated hand warmers is also an option.
You can also use ‘pogies,’ which are large oven mitts that attach around your handlebars. Moreover, they are waterproof, windproof, and insulated. You can move your hands freely while wearing these instead of bulky gloves. Besides keeping your grips dry, you’ll also keep your hands clean.
Cycling Shoes For Winter
There is a tendency for cycling shoes to fit tight. This will increase your pedaling efficiency. This enables efficient pedaling. Winter weather may require you to wear larger footwear if you wear thick socks. A waterproof pair of cycling shoes is also a good choice for winter cycling.
In cold and dry weather, thick wool socks and regular cycling shoes may suffice.
Insulated winter cycling boots are a must if it’s cold or wet. These are perfect for keeping your feet dry and warm when it’s cold and wet outside.
Cycling shoe covers are an alternative to buying new footwear. Cycling shoes are equipped with these insulated covers. The straps attach with hooks and loops. Wind and waterproof shoe covers are available.
During the winter, you should also wear grippy shoes. When getting on or off your bike, walking off the bike, or putting your foot down at a stop, you won’t slip. It is also important to wear socks. Wear thick socks that are breathable and provide good insulation.
How To Keep Your Feet Dry And Warm?
Air-activated foot warmers are a good idea to carry with you. The warmers will help you keep warm if your feet feel too cold. Plastic bags can be worn between socks and shoes to dry your feet. Slush and snow are kept out with these. They also create a vapor barrier. There will be sweat on your feet and socks, but they will stay warm.
It can also be helpful to wear gaiters. Wet or slushy snow is especially hazardous. Cycling gaiters prevent water from entering the top of your cycling boots or shoes. In addition to keeping your feet warm, it will also keep them dry.
During Cold Weather, Stay Hydrated
Dehydration is common during winter cycling. Winter is a season when you wear more clothing, so you don’t sweat as much. Fluids are still evaporating from your body. It is also natural for your thirst to decrease when you are cold. In winter, it could be more appealing to drink cold water.
Drinking regularly is essential to keeping your body hydrated while cycling in the winter. Your favorite hot drink should be carried in an insulated bottle. You can stay warm and hydrated by doing this. You can enjoy many different kinds of hot drinks, including coffee, tea, hot chocolate, apple cider, and even broth. Your drink will stay warm all day long if you use an insulated bottle.
Alternatively, you can stop at a cafe midway through your ride and enjoy a hot beverage.
When the weather is really cold, you must take some precautions to avoid freezing your water. The bottle holder in your bike can store the bottle while riding. By moving the bike, the water should be agitated and prevented from freezing.
Using an insulated bottle or carrying the bottle in an insulated bottle holder is also helpful. If you want to insulate your bottle, you can make or buy insulating wraps.
The best way to prevent your bottle from freezing during the winter is to keep it in your jersey pocket or backpack. Water will not freeze due to your body’s heat. Take it with you to prevent the bottle from freezing after you get off the bike.
Water bladders for CamelBak backpacks are popular among cyclists. Water bladders can be prevented from freezing by your body heat. The tube can get plugged up with water if it freezes.
Water bladders with insulated tubes are ideal during the winter.
How To Protect Your Eyes During Winter Cycling?
Snow is an extremely reflective surface without a doubt. It is possible to get harmful UV rays into your eyes on sunny days due to the bright snow. Snow blindness can result from this. In essence, this is a sunburn on the eye.
There are several uncomfortable symptoms associated with snow blindness, such as pain in the eyes, blurry vision, and sensitivity to light. Wearing sunglasses during the winter will help you avoid snow blindness. Invest in eyewear with UV protection to protect your eyes. Cold, snowy, or windy weather requires goggles instead of sunglasses. The weather is better protected with these.
Cyclists sometimes find it helpful to wear blue-tinted glasses or goggles. By doing so, glare can be reduced, and contrast can be improved. Also, look for helmets with visors. Creating shade protects your eyes. Additionally, a visor can keep rain or snow from getting into your eyes.
Snow blindness can be treated by stopping riding for a few days and not wearing contacts. Only go outside, it is very hot. Drops should be used.
Considering the sun’s position when planning your ride is also a good idea. That is particularly important during the winter when the sun sits low in the sky or the evening when the sun is setting. Cycling at low sun angles would be beneficial for your eyes because the sun will shine directly into them.
Furthermore, you are unable to see the road ahead and the drivers around you due to this. Take into account the sun’s position when planning your ride. The sun might be high in the sky during the middle of the day, so you might cycle towards it during that time.
You’ll ride home with the sun at your back as the sun sets. Due to the lack of glare, you will be able to see the road better, and drivers will be able to see you more clearly.
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Final Words
A properly prepared winter cycling season can be a lot of fun. There is something incredible about the snow. There is nothing quieter, more peaceful, or more beautiful than winter. A layer of snow changes the appearance of your favorite cycling routes. There is less crowding and quiet in the winter as well. A crisp, refreshing breeze blows.
However, poor road conditions and cold weather can create some challenges. In order to stay warm, you need to dress strategically. Wearing warm, breathable clothing is important. In addition, you should perform more frequent maintenance if you want to keep your bike running smoothly. Gravel, salt, and de-icing chemicals can wear down your bike. It is also important to consider safety risks. During the winter, it’s easy to slip and fall. Extreme weather can cause frostbite and hypothermia.
