Brought to you by Going Going Bike
If freezing your proverbials off is the only thing stopping you from getting on your bike right now, fear not. No need to wait until the summer months to catch the cycling bug, here are some top tips for staying warm…
Tip 1 – Keep your ears, feet and hands warm
Cold ears, feet and hands are one of the quickest ways to ruin a nice winter ride. A simple headband will keep your ears toasty and fit under your helmet comfortably. These can be bought for as little as £13 from stores like Evans. A good pair of thick socks will keep your feet warmer. However, if you wear cycling shoes you will notice the effect of a pair of overshoes immediately. I have just worn through my Pro Tarmac H2O overshoes. They lasted over two years and did a good job for the price. As a result, I’ve just ordered some more for under £30. Gloves are a bit tricky. A good fit is essential and I don’t want so much insulation that my grip on the levers is compromised. I’ve just ordered some Seal Skinz, on a recommendation, and will report back once I’ve used them.
Tip 2 – Stay dry
Getting really wet is the final nail in the coffin for me when it comes to cold weather cycling. A drenched bum or a soaked through jacket can take away a lot of a ride’s fun. A simple rear mud guard can make a big difference. I like the removable ones that SKS make, around £30 at Evans, because they are lightweight, look nice and can be easily switched between my bikes. However, there are plenty on the market and, with a bit of creativity you can even create your own with an old water bottle! A great waterproof jacket is essential. You can get the fabulous Proviz Hi Visibility Waterproof jacket at £56, on Going Going Bike. It is not only waterproof but, like all the Proviz kit, is designed for cyclists who want to stand out in the traffic.
Tip 3 – Keep your core warm
Keep the core of your body warm by putting on an extra layer. This can be another t-shirt or ordinary vest but will ideally be a cycling specific vest. For me (rather peculiarly!) wearing a cycling vest makes me feel like a pro cyclist. I think it is something to do with seeing professionals slog up Tour de France mountains with their jersey open and their vest showing. Anyway, they are perfect for summer or winter so I would recommend you have one regardless of whether it makes you feel professional. My friends will only buy their vests on their annual pilgrimage to Alpe d’Huez. Not everyone can be so choosy.
Tip 4 – Stop for regular warm drinks
The age-old answer to cold cycling conditions is to stop more frequently and have more hot drinks (and cake!). Coffee and cycling are natural bed fellows, and cold winter rides can be made far more enjoyable/bearable with the addition of an extra stop or two.
Tip 5 – Pedal faster and harder
You might not like me for this final suggestion! A sure fire way to heat yourself up is to pedal harder and faster. Although, with a moment of weakness, I recently considered that going faster would in fact be colder, pedalling harder will really warm you up. In fact, unless you decide to get on your bike in full skiing kit, you probably need to pedal hard in addition to wearing proper kit in order to stay warm when the temperature plunges!
What are your top tips for staying warm on your bike? Tell us in the comments…
Keep your core warm with a haramaki – the Japanese body warmer. An extra layer around your middle and major organs helps keep your whole body warmer.
Here are a few more tips for real sub zero conditions and snow and ice:
1. Wear gloves that are warm and waterproff – and not too tight a fit I use snowboard guantlets when its really cold.
2. Warm cotton leggings or even womens woolly tights under lycra with waterproof overpants keep out the wind as well as the spray. even for blokes
3. Waterproof trainers with waterproof overshoes keep your feet dry
4. A neck collar that motorcyclist use can be pulled up over your chin keeps your face warm.
5. Glasses – wrap round type keep the wind and rain from your eyes – this is really good. You can get them with clear lenses – I have presciption ones with lenses that go dark when its bright
6. Also think safety – I change my tyres from semi slicks that are fast to 700c 1.9 Schwalbe landcrusiers in the winter which are road trail tires and then take the pressure right down when riding in snow and ice.
Oh and something to make you smile – I worked for a while in one of the Royal Parks in the UK – very concerned about conservation and didnt want to use salt on icy roads as it kills the grass on the verges. The solution was Cow urine a biodegardable antifreeze – It works on bikes – well for blokes – if you have ice and snow in your cassette and chain and you are bold enough to get through 3 layers of clothing and can actually find your thingy which will be very reluctant to brave the elements it will stop the chain and gears jumping all over the place when its really cold. Not sure what you do as a woman!! LOL
Oh I would suggest if you try this method of defrosting your bike you wash it off fairly quickly when you get home.
You see Men do have a unique and absolutely without question required useful attribute – we can defrost the gears on a bike in really bad conditions and women cannot LOL. Well unless you have the skill of Paula Radcliffe and her ability to be very directional with her pee as demonstrated on national TV – big giggle