By Mike Ricci
Feb. 15, 2007 -- Winter riding can be a good way to break up the solitude of the bike trainer, but when you venture outside you should be prepared to deal with the elements. Having the right gear is a good place to start, and even if you don’t want to take out a second mortgage to outfit yourself, there are several ways to combat the cold, and we’ll show you some examples.
Starting with the feet, you should pull plastic bags over your socks to help insulate your digits, and then after you put on your cycling shoes you might want to use a pair of booties as extra protection. For the legs, try to use a riding tight that is windproof in order to give you more insulation from the wind and cold.
For the upper body, breathable fabrics are key. There are many fabrics, like Polartec, that are great for high-intensity activities like winter cycling or even cross-country skiing if you cross-train. Sometimes you will see frost accumulating on your jacket because of the vented moisture. That’s when you know both you and your clothing are working hard. I like to see athletes begin with a wicking base layer and then add layers as necessary. Using cotton as a base layer is not a good option as you will end up wet and cold rather quickly. The top layer should be breathable, wind and waterproof. I don’t have any problem wearing three or four layers under my jacket in order to stay warm. I would rather start out too warm and peel down the layers than be too cold the entire ride. The number of layers you need will depend on how long you plan on riding.
Keeping the hands warm is important during a cold-weather ride or your ride will be miserable. For the hands I recommend one layer unless it’s less than 40F, then maybe you might want to go with a glove liner and add a crab glove on top to stay warm. A bigger glove like a mitten will keep the hands warmer because the fingers are touching, but on the other hand its easier to shift and brake while using gloves with fingers. Some cyclists have been known to use ski gloves as another option. Lastly, use a glove that is windproof, as this will ensure your digits don’t get frozen. Remember to wiggle your hands to keep the blood flowing.
Lastly, your head needs to be covered to conserve the most heat. Choosing a thin lightweight wind-resistant material is best. There are many different types of caps that you can wear under your helmet these days, but I prefer a balaclava because it’s thin and warm and will also provide face protection when you need it. Since the ears can be as sensitive as the hands, you need to keep them warm too – try an ear band if you aren’t using a hat. Another full-head option is a helmet liner, which fits snugly under the helmet.
I do recommend trying different combinations of layers and fabrics to see what works for you. As always, keeping a log of daily temperature, what you wore and how warm you were will always help you pick out the right combination down the road. Good luck with your cold-weather layering and riding.
Michael Ricci is a USAT Level III certified coach. He can be reached for personal coaching at mike@d3multisport.com. Please visit his Web site at www.D3multisport.com
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