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In issue #4 we published our rough guide to surviving the winter. Now we want you to share your advice with other readers. Check out our Winter Resource Page and post your own tips, tricks and suggestions.
In issue #4 we published our rough guide to surviving the winter. Now we want you to share your advice with other readers. Check out our Winter Resource Page and post your own tips, tricks and suggestions.
Below is an article written by our ride director (Westerville Bike Club) on cold weather riding.
GO Steelers – thank
Frank
Dress for Success â Stay Warm in the Cold
Now that the cooler months are upon us, itâs time to open up the hope chest and pull out all those wool sweaters, toboggan hats, neoprene booties, scarves, mittens, wicking base layers, down parkas, long sleeved jerseys, fake fur lined collars, lobster gloves, balaclavas, fleece lined tights, and riding jackets. Wellâ¦youâll really only need about half that stuff to stay warm and comfortable on your first, 10th, maybe 50thâ¦but definitely not last cold weather ride.
Proper dress for the cold will keep you warm, cool and dry all at the same time. Over-dressing can be as bad as under-dressing. As in any active, outdoor endeavor, layering is the number one step in proper clothing selection. Number two is to choose the right fabrics. Today, this is very easy, since almost all sporting goods store carry lines of clothing made with modern, wicking, insulating and sometimes waterproof fabrics. Iâll make it easy for you as we go over some suggestions for dressing from head-to-toe. (You may have to modify these suggestions up or down, based on your personal polar bear quotient)
Your Head
Keep your head warm. Itâll keep you from being miserable. Your ears are probably the most vulnerable, so cover them up with a pair of ear muffs, a head band or a full head sock or balaclava.
Temp: 50+ Headband or a handkerchief
40-50 Headband or earmuffs
30-40 Earmuffs or balaclava
20-30 Fleece balaclava
Your Upper Body
Remember that you are a heat producing machine. When you ride, you will be producing a HUGE amount of heat and moisture. These byproducts must be removed from your clothing or you will overheat. In temperatures above 30 degrees, I only wear two layers on my upper body: A wicking base layer (like a Patagonia Capaline or EMS Bergelene) and a winter riding jacket. Add a pair of arm warmers under the base layer and I can regulate temps with the zippers and I’m good for the day. Be careful with windproof tops, they can trap a lot of moisture and leave you wet and overheated, then wet and cold if you take them off. Leave that heavy ski parka at home, it’s meant for the slopes, not the bike. Get a nice winter riding jacket (with rear pockets).
Temp: 50+ Long sleeve jersey and short sleeved base layer
40-50 Long sleeve jersey and long sleeved base layer
30-40 Winter riding jacket and long sleeved base layer
20-30 Winter riding jacket, long sleeved base layer and short sleeved wicking T-shirt or jersey, maybe arm warmers
Your Lower Body
You lower body is doing the most work and needs some special attention. Those big thigh and back-side muscles are flowing a lot of blood and need to be kept warm to keep your lower legs and feet warm. A combination of shorts and tights fit the bill here.
Temp: 50+ Shorts and maybe knee/leg warmers
40-50 Shorts and leg warmers (maybe tights)
30-40 Tights and padded shorts
20-30 Tights, wicking base layer (long underwear) and padded shorts
Don’t be afraid to say: “fuck it.”
eg:
Fuck it, I am wet and cold and I am going go get a drink.
Fuck it, I am not going to work today.
Fuck it, I have been wet and cold before, and I dried out and warmed up just fine.
Quick tip! Winter hydration. The late cycling physiologist Ed Burke was fond of saying, “There are three times when you should drink on a winter ride: When you’re thirsty, when you’re not thirsty, and in between.” Why drink frequently when you’re in cold temperatures and barely sweating? Because you’re breathing.
In winter, air must be warmed and moistened in your throat and lungs. As you exhale, sometimes you can even see the fluid leaving your body. In cold, dry winter conditions, the amount of moisture lost through respiration is significant and must be replaced to preserve good performance.
Drinking even helps keep you warm. Dehydration means reduced blood volume, which in turn limits blood flow to skin and extremities. You’ll feel colder sooner — and be more susceptible to dangerous hypothermia or even frostbite.
During a frigid Nordic ski race, you might see a guy glide toward his coach and yell, “I need a glove!” The coach pulls one off and tosses it to the racer, who quickly stuffs it down the front of his Lycra bodysuit.
That’s right, it’s not freezing fingers he’s worried about.
Cyclists go faster than skiers, so in the cold we need PPP (private parts protection) even more than they do. Penile frostbite becomes a real danger in temperatures around freezing when windchill is added. Women get cold down there, too.
Save yourself an embarrassing trip to the emergency room with these tips:
Wear wind-front tights. Windchill is often the culprit in cryogenic crotch cases, so invest in tights with a windproof front panel.
Wear wind-front undies. Briefs by Craft, Terramar and others may be marketed for runners or skiers but they work under bike shorts too.
Cover with your base layer. Tuck your undershirt down around everything.
Add something extra. You’ve heard of rock stars using a sock? A wool one works great for cyclists. So does a thin polypro ski cap.
Bag it. In an emergency, beg a plastic bag from a convenience store or grocery. Or grab a thick paper windshield towel from a gas station.
Recycle. In a real emergency, watch the roadside. In the U.S., you’ll quickly spot more than enough usable litter. Plastic bags and coated paper can do the job. Avoid using anything with mustard on it.
It’s been mighty cold here in Pittsburgh this week. I didn’t even realize I had been commuting in 10° weather (with snow and ice to spice it up). Here’s a list of what’s been working best for me:
• Balaclava (Craft)
• Ski Goggles (Zeal)
• Shell (Pearl Izumi Storm Shield)
• Merino Wool LS Mock Turtle (from TJ Maxx)
• Merino Wool LS Cycling Jersey (EWNR)
• Technical T-Shirt (Zoic)
• Boxer Briefs (Haines)
• Winter Tights (Pace)
• Cycling Knickers (Swrve)
• Wool Socks (Santa Cruz)
• Winter Cycling Shoes (Lake MX200)
• Wool Glove Liners (DeFeet)
• Wind & Waterproof Gloves (Lake)
• Helmet (Specialized Decibel)
And I use these, too:
• Tall Wool Socks (Sock Guy)
• Tall Acrylic Socks (SRAM)
• Extra Thick Wool Socks (Smartwool)
• Rain Pants (Pearl Izumi Storm Shield)
• Nylon Pants (Canary)
• Cycling Knickers (Hypnotic)
• Padded Bike Shorts (Voler)
• Fleece Winter Tights (Zoic)
• Snowboard Gloves (Burton)
• Cycling Glasses (Tifosi)