Cycling In Cold Weather
Okay. I admit it. I’m an old
guy, I moved here from Florida,
and I don’t like to be cold. However,
I can’t bear the thought of losing all that good conditioning I’ve built up
over the warmer months and starting over in the spring. I spent a lot of time
and more money than I care to admit last winter experimenting with clothing and
gear for cooler weather. If you’re new to winter riding, this may be of help. Hopefully,
more experienced riders may chime in.
1.
Plan to ride throughout the winter. I read once that by exercising only once a week that
it’s possible to maintain most of your conditioning for a period of 12 to 16
weeks. With that in mind, I decided last winter that I would do my best to ride
at least once a week and supplement my
rides on a trainer. (A trainer turns your bicycle into a stationary exercise
bike.) Through the cold months I generally rode once a week and rode my trainer
(which I hated!) for 30 minutes twice a week. It worked! I was in pretty fair
condition when the weather warmed up. I did not have to start over from ground
zero!
2.
Invest in cycling
specific clothing for cool weather.
Our local bike shops have much of what you need. Anything you can’t find
locally you can order through your favorite bike shop or purchase on the
internet. Go for non-cotton, breathable cycling gear. Consider items such as:
·
Knee or leg
warmers
·
Arm warmers
·
Butt warmers
(just kidding!)
·
Tights
·
A light weight cycling
jacket (I found a great one with removable sleeves)
·
A base layer top (high
tech “long underwear”)
·
Shoe or toe covers
·
A scull cap or
ear warmers
·
Winter gloves and
perhaps glove liners
Two
items I haven’t seen locally that I couldn’t do without are toe covers and bar
mitts. Unlike shoe covers, the toe covers I purchased slip over the toe of your
socks and under your shoes. They are
much lighter and less cumbersome than shoe covers. They are easy to get on and off
and cost under $10. When the toe covers we’re quite enough, I sometimes slipped
the chemical foot warmers that hunters use in the bottom of my shoes.
Bar
mitts (also known as “poagies” or “moose mitts”) are generally used for colder
weather than we have in Memphis,
but they were a Godsend for me. Because I have poor circulation in my hands I
was never able to keep my hands warm below about 45 degrees. They slip over the
shifters in a matter of a minute or two and keep the wind off your hands. With
the bar mitts, all you need is a light pair of winter cycling gloves. (Note
before you buy: Many Memphis riders seem to do fine with just a good pair of
winter gloves or gloves with a liner.)
3.
Layer your clothing. Two things surprised me in winter riding: first, how difficult it was
to keep my hands warm (but again, I’m an old guy) and second, how little
clothing it took to keep my core warm. Layering is wonderfully helpful. It’s
better to have two or three light layers than one heavy one. Layering will also
save you money on clothing in the long run. So, think about a light weight
jacket that you can put over a jersey and a base layer—or more or less if you
need it.
4.
Experiment!
In fact, think of every cool weather ride as an experiment until you learn what
works for you. If you are properly dressed, you will feel a little cold when
you start, but within a few miles you’ll warm up and be more comfortable. If
you’re hot or cold, stop and adjust your clothing or go back to your home or
vehicle and change. You may want to add a small pack to carry extra gear while
you’re learning what works. You’ll be amazed at how helpful the zipper on your
jacket is for regulating your body temp.
5.
Record what works. I have a very short memory. I found that keeping track of the temps at
which I rode and the clothing appropriate for those temps was the key to confidently
dressing for the next cold, overcast day. Anytime I failed to look at my list I
always tended to overdress.
6.
Hydrate.
Don’t assume that because you’re not drenched in sweat that you’re not becoming
dehydrated. Drink, even when you don’t feel like it.
Don’t let the Memphis weather keep you
off your bike. It’s just not that cold here. And the cold weather doesn’t last
that long. Our coldest month is January with an average high of over 48
degrees. With a little preparation and the right gear, you can ride all winter
long.
Links:
1.
Bar mitts: www.barmitts.com. I found mine cheaper on
Amazon. There are other companies that make similar products.
2.
Toe covers for inside the shoe. Mine came from
AerotechDesigns.com for $9. http://store.aerotechdesigns.com/netiptoeco.html
3.
Memphis climate: http://www.rssweather.com/climate/Tennessee/Memphis/.