Winter Riding

"There is no such thing as bad weather, only soft people." - Bill Bowerman (co-founder of Nike)

While this line may be true for die hard winter athletes, another way to say this is "There is no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing."  For those of us that choose to ride year round, I think both quotes are true.  The proper clothing can make the difference between a frozen sufferfest, and a comfortable ride.
Coming from the Alabama Gulf Coast where lows in the 30's are considered frigid, I would never have believed that I would become a year round bike commuter. Now, temperatures in the single digits are commonplace on my rides and temperatures and wind chills well below zero are not that rare.  I'll share some tips for cooler weather cycling.  With the right gear and mindset, cycling can be pleasurable year round.

First things first.  You usually don't need nearly as much clothing as you think you do.  The body naturally produces a great amount of heat.  You should feel slightly cold when you start your ride.  On average, dress for your ride as if it is 15 degrees warmer that it actually is.  If you dress too heavily, you will begin to sweat and when you stop, that sweat will make you feel much colder.  If you dress too lightly, you will never get warm and it will be a cold miserable ride with blocks of ice for fingers and toes accompanied by the feeling you will never get warm again for the remainder of your life.  It is a balancing act that comes with practice and experience. It has taken a while, but I now know exactly what to wear at any given temperature with any given weather conditions.

So, let's look at some general tips for cycling in the cold.  Layer. That is without a doubt the most important tip. The overall purpose of layering is to trap insulating air between layers of clothing and subsequently hold heat in. A good base layer should fit close to the body and be of a material that wicks moisture away from the body.  Wool, polyester, or nylon/spandex are all good choices.  NO COTTON.  When you sweat, cotton will just act like a sponge and leave you feeling wet, heavy and cold! Depending on how cool or cold it is, you may just want to use arm warmers in addition to a cycling jersey.  This way, as you warm up, they can be taken off and stuffed in a pocket. (Keep in mind, we are a long way from that option in February in Wisconsin!)

The next layer should have thermal capabilities.  Polyester and fleece are good choices.  Something that will trap the heat, and also allow "breathing". Most modern synthetics are excellent choices.

The outer layer should serve two purposes: keep warmth in and block the cold air and wind. There are many companies that produce great garments for this purpose. I wear a Gore Windstopper jacket.  Lightweight, but blocks the wind amazingly and has zip off sleeves if the weather makes just a vest more practicable.  Great tip...if while on a ride you feel you need better wind protection, use newspaper under your jersey.  You will see pros and amateurs alike use newspapers for long, cold descents. Newspaper blocks the wind in the front and keeps heat from escaping in the back.

Now let's move up to the head.  You lose a tremendous amount of body heat through your head.  If you keep your head warm, your body will stay warm as well. Depending on how cold it is you have many options.  Do not however count on your helmet to keep your head warm.  Helmets are vented to allow air flow which will keep you cool in warmer weather, not designed to keep warmth in.  You can use a synthetic cap, or ear warmers to begin with.  If more is needed, a warmer wool cap can be used, or even a full hood (called a balaclava) can be used.  This covers the face, head and neck with only a small opening for the eyes.  Speaking of the eyes...don't forget to protect them! Good cycling glasses that curve around the face are essential to keeping wind, snow, and other elements out of the eyes.  For extreme cold, you can even use goggles specifically designed for cycling or skiing.  Keep in mind though, that anything you wear on your head has to fit under your helmet, so make sure it is either lightweight, or that the helmet is adjustable enough to accommodate these things.

The Last Starfighter

Now to the hands.  Keeping the hands warm is extremely important, because we use our hands to control the bike, shift gears, apply the brakes, and generally just stay safe! It can be hard to keep extremities warm. because when our bodies get cold, blood flow is directed to our core in order to keep vital organs functioning.  Unfortunately, this often means cold hands and feet.  Gloves are extremely important!  There are many kinds available, but it is important to get ones that block the wind as well as providing warmth.  Sometimes two pair of gloves are a good idea.  Mittens keep hands warmer by having all fingers together, but these are not a good idea for cyclists because of the dexterity needed to shift and brake.  "Lobster Claw" gloves are a good compromise because they keep at least two fingers together for added warmth, but allow the necessary dexterity.

The feet, like the hands are susceptible to the cold.  Warm socks like wool are helpful, as are "booties" or toe covers to cover the cycling shoes and block the wind while still allowing you to clip in to the pedals.  For both hands and feet, chemical hand/foot warmers are an option.  I can promise you, once your hands or feet turn into blocks of ice, it is almost impossible to get them warmed up again during the ride

For the legs, you can get long cycling pants, with a cycling pad built in, or you can use running tights over a par of cycling shorts.  Again the thickness and warmth of the tights can be determined by trial and error.  Keep in mind when you ride with long pants or tights, any loose material can get caught up in the chain and cause all sorts of problems!

For the Tahoe Team, since we will be getting out and riding in late winter, early spring conditions, layering is extremely important.  As training progresses and long rides get longer, we will be on the road for hours at a time.  It’s great to be able to shed layers as you warm up, and air temperatures rise.  We’ll also have SAG support so a vehicle will be available to help with dropping layers, or adding them as the conditions change.
Remember, there are no hard and fast rules for how to dress.  We are all different and have different comfort levels and temperature tolerances.  I have some friends who can't stand to ride under 60 degrees, and others who bike in sub-zero temps.

Find what works for you, and use it.  Don't let the weather keep you from cycling.  Whether for exercise, commuting, saving the environment, or just making your friends and co workers think you are a cycling bad-ass... dress for the weather and you'll have no problems!