For many of us, the winter months force us inside on our trainers in order to get in a good bike ride. However, after a while, it can get a little boring and we just start itching to get outside and ride. There are a ton of different pieces of apparel and equipment designed for you to be able to ride outdoors comfortably. These are just some simple guidelines, but you will need to experiment and see what works for you. It’s important to dress in layers so that if you find yourself overheating you can simply remove a layer and continue on your ride comfortably.
- 55 – 65 degrees – in addition to your normal bike jersey with a thin layer underneath, you should consider adding the following:
- Arm warmers
- Full-finger gloves
- Knee warmers
- Toe covers
- 45 – 55 degrees
- Thicker gloves
- Shoe covers
- Ear covers (thin hat or a buff that can fit under your helmet, yet covers your ears)
- 35 – 45 degrees
- Winter shoes
- Thicker base layer
- Wind proof vest
- Leg warmers
- Balaclava or something that can cover your mouth, chin and neck
- 25 – 35 degrees
- Jacket
- Full leg tights with another windproof pair on top
- Second pair of socks
- Heavy helmet (one with less vents than a normal bike helmet)
- Lobster claw gloves
- Hand warmers on toes and inside gloves
These are all just some sample ideas of things you can do to keep yourself comfortable when riding outdoors in cold weather. There are definitely some other things to keep in mind. Wind, rain, snow and the speed at which you will be riding can definitely change your apparel/equipment requirements. If you need some guidance on how you can get out and ride in cold weather, please contact me. I’m happy to help you set yourself up for success!
Train Right, Tri Right!
Coach MJ
