Dress For Success - Outfitting For Winter Riding

I claim not to have a low temperature limit for cycling. Tomorrow will test that theory. It's predicted to be -2F with 15 mph winds. Our neighborhood tracks about five degrees below the surrounding area.

I can dress for any weather. But, having beaten up the road with my body few times, I'm very skittish about riding across ice.  As of this evening's drive home,  I can finally see the white line at the edge of the roadway.

So what's the well-dressed winter cyclist wear? Layers.

The base layer must be wicking to draw sweat away from the body. Ideal materials are: silk, wool, or light polymer-based fleece. Cotton is a killer in the cold. It will soak up sweat and rapidly conduct heat away from your body. Save cotton for July.


Silk is awesome, but too expensive. I love the feel of high-quality wool, it's incredibly soft and doesn't get nearly as stinky after many wearings. But wool does tend to get holes after a few trips through the laundry. Only buy wool if you can commit to hand-washing and air drying.

Man-made technical fabrics are great thermally, but it's hard to get the all-too-human smell out after a while. Trade-offs. Wool-poly blends offer a nice balance of properties.



The top layer should be a wind shell that wicks moisture. I like Goretex and equivalent fabrics. 100% "waterproof" rain clothes are to be avoided because they hold moisture in. It's better to be a little chilly and dry than wear too much and sweat and then really freeze.

My simple rule is that I wear bike shorts, low cotton socks, and a jersey down to about 50F. Add a layer for every additional ten degrees below 50F. I.e., add a jacket and tights and switch to ankle-length wool socks at 40F.

Add wind shell pants, another top layer, winter gloves, bike boots, and a balaclava down to about 30F. Below 30, have the balaclava covered by a wind-shell hood. Keeping your head warm makes a huge difference.

Rain is equivalent to ten degrees cooler. Riding with children who go slowly or stop often requires more layers, too.

Runners tend to need just a little less clothing at any given temperature because they go at slower speeds and thus experience less wind-chill. Running involves vigorous use of more body parts. Runners can't coast down hills. So they generate steady heat, too.

Fingers and toes are always the chilliest bits. When your body is cold, it prioritizes proper core and brain temperature. It will even reduce blood flow to extremities if needed. Naturally poor circulation doesn't help. I found insulated mountain bike boots with clipless cleats. A second layer of socks can help -- if your boots aren't too tight. If your socks and laces constrict circulation you'll be worse off. For the same reason that I'm not a fan of 100% waterproof jackets, I don't like neoprene shoe covers. They work for less than an hour and hold all the moisture in and you freeze. Who knew that your feet would sweat too much in the winter?

Gloves with long wrist-sections are a must so there is overlap between the glove and wind shell. Get gloves with a little absorbent patch along the thumbs. Your runny nose will appreciate it.

Tomorrow I plan to pull out all the stops. Add little chemical heaters to boots and gloves. Take advantage of some awesome neoprene wind fairings that fit over the handlebars. Think the inventor of "Bar Mitts" was Jewish? Mazel Tov to anyone so clever!

The first ten minutes of winter riding can feel cold. Really cold! Your body is suddenly shocked by the temperature change and does it's best to maintain core temperature by cutting down on circulation to fingers, toes, and nose. Once you've been moving for about ten minutes, core temperature rises, circulation begins to open up again, your chilly bits thaw out, and you wonder what the problem was. There is a trick to beat this! Do a light core-strength workout before going outdoors. It's enough to get your heart rate up and your blood vessels dilated. Just don't work up a sweat, yet. You'll be toasty from the first pedal stroke!

Always wear a helmet.

Don't forget to hydrate! If you're going for an hour or more in the cold, you'll lose an amazing amount of moisture through your breath and sweat. Pour boiling water in your bottle, use an insulated bottle, or keep the bottle in your back jersey pocket under a few layers. Take a snack, too. Tricks of the trade.