Cold Weather Cycling Tips for the Serious Cyclist. When the going gets cold, the cold turn pro.

Baby It’s Cold Outside! When the going gets cold, the cold turn pro. With apologies to Hunter S. Thompson.

Once the balmy days of summer are but a distant wistful memory, many people put their bikes away. However, we (nerds) at Velogear understand that “our people”, fellow nerds, dorks and as we like to think of them, “true cyclists” don’t believe in an off-season. That’s for the weak. The freezing rains of fall and the bone chilling wind and snow of winter are nothing more than friendly obstacles to your morning, evening, or Saturday afternoon ride. Or minor distractions that only serve to awaken your inner urge to dominate something. Unfortunately, your determination and love of the sport won’t do quite enough to keep you warm and protected on your cold weather rides; but never fear, help is on the way.

Cold Weather Cycling Tips: Clothing

We at Velogear (along with the help of our smarmy blog writer, Mr. Velo Jones) have compiled a list of essential cold weather cycling clothing tips to keep you warm, dry, and protected on your cold weather rides. Amazing how staying warm and dry can also keep you un-crabby. Think of it as a service to your fellow man. Follow the guidelines below and stay cycling no matter what Mother Nature has in mind.

1. Wear functional clothing and dress in layers. Everyone’s resistance to the cold is going to be different, so there’s no definitive set of clothing that will work for everyone. However, for cold weather cycling it is generally best to dress in layers. Your base layer (against your skin) and your middle insulation layers should be made of synthetics or wool, and your middle layer should also have thermal capabilities (think polyester here). Check out some of the quality wool clothing products Velogear features for those cold weather rides. And even though you may LOVE that Metallica t-shirt you got a Summerfest in 2001, remember that cotton is the worst possible choice – it traps your sweat and makes you feel colder. Save that baby for the board meeting. Your outer layer should be windproof and waterproof, with breathable sides and rear (tee-hee) if possible.
2. Protect your hands and feet while cold weather cycling. For your hands, you can try wool, fleece, ski gloves, or lobster gloves. Add a liner if your hands aren’t warm enough and add a waterproof shell when necessary. For your feet, waterproof hiking boots and winter cycling shoes/boots work well, and Velogear’s wool or fleece socks are good for extra warmth. Plus wool on your feet is just plain swank. Have you tried the new generation of wool socks? Deeeeee-luxe, baby. Stocking stuff yourself with some.
3. Keep the heat in – cover your head! Incoming! In this case, not artillery shells, but Mother Nature’s icy breath. Think of it as here laughing at your puny resolve. Covering your head is the best way to conserve heat and foil her plans – do it with thin, lightweight and wind-resistant materials that go underneath your helmet. Remeber – any exposed skin will get cold fast. And where ears are concerned, you’ll get a nice annoying whistling sound plus a painful warmup period if you don’t cover up. Helmet liners, hats, hoods, and helmet covers are all good options for cold weather cycling. Also, be sure to cover your face and neck with scarves, face masks, and balaclavas (not to be confused with baba ganoush – I always mix these up. And with disastrous results.), and wear eye protection when facing strong winds.

Remember, if you’re going to be riding for any more than about 30 minutes you want to start off a little bit chilly, because your body will warm up very quickly. If you start off warm, you are going to be too hot before you know it.

Cold Weather Cycling Tips: Smart Riding

Dressing for the weather is very important, but engaging in safe riding practices is essential in cold weather cycling. We at Velogear have compiled several helpful tips for staying safe while cycling in that more treacherous weather.

1. Get your tires in tip top cold weather cycling shape. Invest in a pair of high-quality, puncture-resistant urban tires. Increase your traction by lessening your tire pressure to the low end of the recommended range. Also, install full front and rear fenders to help keep you warmer and dryer. For a comprehensive look at how to care for your bike year-round, Velogear offers Lennard Zinn’s helpful book, Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance. Lennard is sort of like cycling’s dork drum major. And we mean that in the nicest way possible. He’s a really, really bright guy. Our brain cells (all 4 of them) envy him.
2. Learn to maneuver in wet weather. You need to brake much more often and for longer periods of time when there is rain, melting snow, and slush on the ground. Try to avoid gripping it and locking it up…unless you dig power-skidding. But those cycling shoes with the hard plastic soles you’re wearing? They don’t add elements of beauty or grace to unplanned dismounts. They kind of do the opposite. Avoid puddles that may be hiding potholes and other road hazards, and stay away from surfaces you know will be slippery. Full fenders need to be mentioned again here – they will keep spray off and help your feet stay dry. Try to adopt the attitude of Wil Smith in “Men in Black” when he said, “I make this look good.” Also, take corners more slowly than you would in nice weather, and try not to lean as much as you normally would (physically or politically).
3. Take extreme care when cycling in the snow. Adjust your fenders to allow ample room for snow build-up, and do not use pedal clips, because you may need to put your feet down in a hurry. Avoid riding over snow, because it may hide ice, and stick to wet pavement as much as possible. Shift often to prevent your chain from jamming, and prepare to break for longer periods of time. If you encounter black ice, stop and chip some off for your evening cocktail. Black ice is the purest substance known to man. It’s right above glacial ice. Just kidding. Black ice has a friction coefficient of “extremely flippn dangerous”. If it was the robot on “Lost in Space” it would be waving its wacky corrugated robot arms at you. Don’t pedal, steer straight, and try not to break. Avoid streetcar tracks – they will be icy even when other surfaces are not.

Always remember, as cool as it is to lord your imperviousness to the elements over your cubicle-mates, not every winter day is going to be safe for cycling. Be wise when you choose to engage in cold weather cycling, and know when it’s best to leave your bike at home.

Cycling may be your first love, but when you decide to participate in the wonderful world of cold weather cycling, your safety needs to come first. Dress for the weather and adjust your riding techniques accordingly to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride, every time. Start following Velogear’s six handy tips for cold weather cycling…or suffer the painful and humiliating consequences.