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You are here: Home / All Things Bike / Cold Weather Bike Riding – What to Wear

Cold Weather Bike Riding – What to Wear

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If you a cyclist, do you get cycling withdrawal in the winter? I sure do, but I bet you’ve seen some people still riding their bike in winter. To start researching this topic, we asked Francine Haas, an athlete and cyclist, where to start – she suggested to start with proper apparel.
snow bicycle ride - bike snowed inMost of us enjoy riding our bikes in the summer heat. Shorts, jersey, helmet and shoes and you’re out the door, ready to ride. Riding in cooler temps takes a little more preparation, but it can be easy if you keep a few things in mind.

To start, first check the weather and see what’s in store over the period you expect to ride. What’s the temperature, how much wind is there, is there any precipitation and are there any big changes expected?

Second, everyone is a little different in terms of how their bodies react to the cold, so there may be a little trial and error to figure out what’s right for you.

Third, how hard do you intend to ride? If you’re going to be working hard, you’ll want to dress a little lighter. If you’re going to be riding easy, then maybe it’s best to put on an extra layer. Resist the temptation to start your ride feeling warm. As soon as you start riding, you’re going to generate heat and if you overdress, you’ll soon begin to sweat and the added moisture may lead to a chill later in your ride. With these things in mind you can select the clothing to best suit your ride.

Winter Cycling - bike hat

Click on the image for more info on the product

Head

For me, a Lycra headband will be all I need from 50 to 30 degrees. The headband is nice in that it gives your forehead protection from any wind chill and it also covers your ears – inner and outer. A cold blowing wind can make your inner ears ache, so a little protection can go a long way to make you comfortable. If you’re lacking a full head of hair, wearing a skull cap or a light Lycra hat under your helmet may work better for you. Below 30 and with a bit of a wind chill I increase the coverage on my head. There’s nothing worse than starting your ride with a brain freeze – ouch! Build on your needs and upgrade as the temperature drops with the ultimate headgear being a balaclava.

Winter Cycling - lobster gloves

Click on the image for more info on the product

Fingers

I wouldn’t say I have the most sensitive hands, but if you’ve ever experienced a ride where you had inadequate coverage for your hands in the cold, you will do your best to never make the mistake again. Riding with frozen fingers is painful and it compromises your ability to control your bike. In mild temperatures, I typically wear a full-fingered glove of some sort. At 30 degrees, I get out a light version of a lobster glove and lower than 30, I have a heavier duty pair. Lobster gloves are great in that, like mittens, they keep your fingers close together for warmth. They also are designed to help you manipulate your gears and brakes. Be sure to purchase gloves or mittens made for riding because of they are designed with features specific to handling your bike such as grips in the palms and most have a soft section to deal with your runny nose!

Winter Cycling - bike jacket Toes

Like your hands, your toes can get pretty cold and painful in the cold weather. Unlike your major muscle groups, your feet and hands do not generate heat, therefore they just catch the wind and cold Wool socks are a great addition to your cold weather cycling gear. Just be sure the added material does not make for a tight fit in your shoes. If your shoes are too tight, you are doomed and will most certainly have cold feet at some point during your ride. You can also insert chemical heat packs into your shoes, but again, if the heat packs make your shoes tight, the benefit will be lost. Outside of your shoes, there are many options to build on to keep the wind and cold away from your feet. There are sock-like shoe covers that work well in the 50-40 degree range. There are also neoprene toe covers that work well in the same temperature rage or can be used as a layer as the temperature drops. As the temperature drops, I generally resort to a neoprene bootie over the sock-like shoe cover. There are also winter cycling boots. They’re a bit more expensive and are really only useful in the cold, but from all the comments I hear, they are great. One final tip for keeping your feet warm in the cold weather is to apply anti-perspirant to your toes. This is more for the toe-sweaters. I’ve never tried it, but, again, those who have swear by it.

Winter Cycling - bike jacket

Click on the image for more info on the product

Body

There are so many options when it comes to keeping your body warm in cooler temps. If the weather is in the 40’s and 50’s, a base layer, short sleeved jersey, arm warmers, knee warmers and a vest are usually perfect. If it heats up while you’re riding, you can easily stuff what you don’t need into your pockets. When the temperature drops to the 30-40 degrees range, a long sleeve base layer, long sleeve jersey, vest and leg warmers work well. Below 30, I break out a winter jacket and a pair of tights. There are varying levels of protection in clothing, from windstopper layers to neoprene type materials. Decide what will work best for you for your ride.

Cycling clothing can be expensive, so if you don’t have a budget to buy everything at once, think about what conditions you’ll be riding in most often or build layers into your wardrobe. Have fun and stay warm and dry!

Francine Haas is an accomplished athlete in both triathlon and cycling disciplines. She began her cycling career in 1983 as a triathlete and turned her focus to cycling in 1999. She has earned numerous accolades, including state championships on the road, track and cyclo-cross. In 2002, Francine began a campaign to empower women in cycling by hosting clinics, group rides and promoting bike racing. Francine has encouraged many women to go far beyond their expectations. 

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Comments

  1. Jenna Wood says

    January 22, 2013 at 4:15 pm

    Wow, you are so brave to ride in that weather! Isn’t it amazing how Lycra can keep us so well insulated?

  2. Felissa (Two Little Cavaliers) says

    January 22, 2013 at 5:00 pm

    Umm riding your bike in the snow? Sounds like you figured out how to keep warm but I would be scared of slipping on ice. Thinking I would probably not attempt to ride in the snow but then again if you live somewhere covered in snow for months and months you must adjust.

  3. mel says

    January 22, 2013 at 5:20 pm

    I love that you are such a big cyclist! I always am afraid to ride when its cold. I am going to take some of these ideas!

  4. Jenn @comebackmomma says

    January 22, 2013 at 5:29 pm

    Do you really bike when there is snow outside? That is hard core!

  5. Sarah says

    January 22, 2013 at 7:43 pm

    Whoa, bike riding in the snow? Luckily, kind of I guess, we haven’t had any snow this year so we can just ride in normal gear. These clothes make me feel like I could do it in the snow though… if we ever get any!

  6. Stacie @ Staying Me says

    January 22, 2013 at 8:07 pm

    These are some good tips. I don’t ride in the winter because I’m too much of a baby, but if I followed some of these, I’m sure I’d be just fine. 🙂

  7. Sandy a la Mode says

    January 22, 2013 at 10:25 pm

    oh my gosh! i don’t know if i could bike ride in the cold!! haha

    xo,
    Sandy
    Sandy a la Mode

  8. Still Blonde after all these YEARS says

    January 23, 2013 at 12:13 am

    Great suggestions on winter clothing for biking (I seriously didn’t know you could bike in the winter). I think those gloves would be great for snow shoveling too.

  9. Jadey Sam says

    January 23, 2013 at 8:28 am

    Oh my goodness I don’t think I can drive my bike when it’s that cold. Kudos to you!

    • Alex says

      January 27, 2013 at 11:25 pm

      the irony is you really only need to protect the open skin (face, neck, and hands). Ones that is protected in some way you’re good to go. While pedaling through snow (sort of like pedaling through sand) your body will generate enormous amount of heat and will keep you warm for as long as you’re pedaling. Ones you stopped it’s totally different story. In any case – make sure your skin is covered and let the above mentioned gear do the rest of the work.

  10. lelaniedenso says

    January 23, 2013 at 3:06 pm

    the cold weather and I are not good friends. thanks for this post. I’ll be checking them out now!

  11. Greta says

    January 23, 2013 at 3:49 pm

    I don’t know that I could ever ride my bike in the snow. Kudos to you!!

    • Alex says

      January 27, 2013 at 11:38 pm

      The picture above got me wondering for a bit considering it’s a road bike. I’m running a motorcycle (another two-willed pony of mine) and considering similarity of the tire thread construction … well, let’s just say I wouldn’t take my motorcycle out on the snow for very obvious reasons. But … anything off-road capable will do just fine. The wider, deeper, and more aggressively threaded tire will keep you moving on unstable surfaces. Of course there are also specifically built snow bikes but it would be a bit different category. I’m not sure how good they are out of their native environment – snow, but just as an education point watch this youtube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHelb0roti8

  12. Paulin says

    January 24, 2013 at 3:54 pm

    I envy your sense of balance. I can barely ride a bike when conditions are perfect and I am on a paved, smooth road.

    • Alex says

      January 28, 2013 at 11:04 pm

      the more you ride the better you get 🙂

  13. Erica says

    January 27, 2013 at 10:29 am

    I wish I had a bike. I used to bike all the time as a kid. Nothing serious, just for fun. I sure do miss it! My 3 year old just got his first bike for Christmas and he LOVES it. Only thing is, it’s sooo cold outside right now – so we let him ride around inside :-p

  14. Darcy says

    February 1, 2013 at 9:57 pm

    I’ve seen people cycling in the winter and wondered how they kept warm enough – now I know!

  15. Ashley T says

    February 6, 2013 at 6:14 am

    I’d love to bike in the winter.. too bad the area we live in doesn’t clean the streets as well as they should. 🙁

  16. Cecile says

    February 8, 2013 at 10:02 am

    I see lots of people in my neighborhood riding their bikes in this cold weather and they are definitely not prepared. Your recommendations are great!

  17. Emily says

    February 10, 2013 at 7:59 am

    We are digging out from a blizzard right now! These tips came at just the right time. Thanks so much! I tweeted so that others can benefit from them, too!

  18. Nikki says

    February 16, 2013 at 11:23 am

    I have to master bike riding on a plain old road before I could handle it in the snow. I didn’t know they made shoes specifically for biking! I figured they had other accessories, like he hat and gloves, but not shoes. Very cool!

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    March 10, 2015 at 6:58 am

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