
Here are some ideas on how to stay warm but not overdress
for winter. The secret is always
layers, flexibility and high performance gear.
Here are some examples
- Layers:
If you start with a good short sleeve jersey with solid stitching on the
pockets, you can remove your long sleeve jersey as things warm up and stuff the
long sleeve in the short sleeve back pocket.
- Flexibility:
Always be thinking that the weather can change to get warmer or
colder. Also you might feel cold at
start but feel warmer as you start burning energy. Have the extra gear handy.
- Performance Gear: Stay away from bulky, loose jackets that flap
around in the wind. Aerodynamic really
kick in above 16 miles per hour so you don’t want to have all that drag if you
are trying to ride faster. A cotton
undershirt is fine for home but it will soak with sweat and make you
colder on the bike. Our winter long sleeves,
jackets, and base layers are performance gear that will give you the best riding experience.
Let’s take a look at different weather conditions and how
specific cycling gear can help
Cool Weather: You
can start with a short sleeve jersey. Arm warmers are great to give you a little warmth but roll up easy and
fit in your pockets. If it is a bit
colder, you can use a base layer under you jersey to trap warm air near your
body. The next level would be to layer
with a long sleeve. Some people like
buy long sleeves one size larger for layering but most people prefer to
purchase the same size long sleeve as they wear with short sleeve jerseys. Consider a winter bib short that is made of
thicker material.
Cold Weather: Let’s
assume it will never warm enough on this ride to want to get down to short
sleeves. Start with a base layer and
long sleeve. Let’s jump to the
extremities. A cycling cap will keep
some wind out of your helmet vents. A full finger glove will keep the ends of your fingers warm. A neck gaiter is handy to keep your chin
warm and can be raised and lowered. Keeping your knees warm is important for
long term joint health so start with bib knickers.
Really Cold Weather: Start with a base layer and long
sleeve. Add a vest to keep your core
warm or a jacket for the extreme cold.
Use an under helmet cap to keep you head and ears warm. Full finger gloves are a must. After a longer ride, you might have the cold
leaking into your shoes. Consider wind
proof shoe covers to keep them warm. A baklava can keep you head, neck and face warm in the cold. Finally, you want to keep you legs warm with
warm bib tights. Good tights will not
keep you warm but come with a good pad for long rides.