Cycling is one of the most fun activities that anyone can engage in. it is a nice and efficient way to remain fit and in shape. However, there are some instances when the weather is cold and you will have to kit properly before you can do any kind of cycling.
Imagine that the brutal winter is here but you still want to do your cycling. You will need to answer the question of what to wear first and that is the essence of this article.
If you ever find yourself in a below-freezing weather condition as a lover of cycling, you need to quickly have these basics in mind first:
- Thermal jacket
- Wool or winter socks (two pairs are sufficient)
- Long-sleeved jersey
- Thermal bib tights
- Long-sleeved wood or a thermal base layer
- Thick shoe covers (a pair will be enough)
- One or two pairs of gloves and high-quality warm socks that have been made from synthetic items or merino wool. Do not go for regular cotton because it is going to be useless at this temperature.
- Layers, of course, lots of layers.
- Balaclava to protect your face from the biting cold wind and snow.
- Thermal cap or a beanie
Temperature Range of 35-45 Degrees Fahrenheit
If the temperature reading is giving you anything from 35 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit, then you can consider wearing a good and protective combination from the following:
- Long-sleeved wool or even a thermal base layer
- Thermal bib tights
- Thermal jacket
- Thermal bibs alongside leg warmers or thermal knee
- Wool or winter socks
- Wind-blocking vest or a long-sleeved thermal jersey
- Thermal cycling cap or headband
- Layers and layers too!
- Elongated gloves
- Toe or shoe covers
- Balaclava (mainly for protecting your face and neck)
Temperature Range of 46 – 60 Degrees Fahrenheit
For this temperature range, you are going to need the following:
- Cap
- Woolen socks
- Long-sleeved jersey
- Wind-blocking vest or jacket
- Cap
- Layers and layers
- Short-sleeved wicking base layer
- Short-sleeved jersey alongside arm warmers
- Short or long gloves
Temperature Range of 61 – 75 Degrees Fahrenheit
There are cases when the temperature will be between from 61 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. In such instances, your attire will be made up of selections from the following:
- Bibs
- Summer gloves
- Sleeveless base layer or wicking short sleeve
- Socks
- Short sleeve jersey
- There may be a need for you to add knee warmers, rain jackets, arm warmers, and wind vests depending on the intensity of the weather. You should check well ahead of time so that you know which of these that you have to include.
Temperature Range above 76 Degrees Fahrenheit
What you need for this range include socks, summer gloves, bibs, short sleeve jersey and also a base layer with no sleeves or wicking short sleeve. Once again, you should make sure that you are checking the weather before you proceed to combine your wears.
Rainy Weather
Wet days come with cold and you should not expose yourself to that meaning you need to wear the appropriate clothing. For your wear on rainy days, go for a good blend of rain vest, rain jacket, and the appropriate shoe covers. You should also use the necessary cream for your upper and lower limbs so you can get additional comfort and protection when you do your cycling.
Layers
Cycling in cold weather should not be without proper and adequate consideration for the layers. Go for several layers and you will be free to remove any layer or add one if there is a need for it. That is precisely why you are making use of leg, knee, and arm warmers.
It is a nice concept if you can add layer like a rain vest or jacket, or a wind vest or jacket. This is crucial because the weather can change immediately without any notice. Going downhill with your bike might also mean using an additional layer.
Consider the Wind-Chill Factor
You need to remember that cycling means that you are going to expose your body to a more intense level of wind-chill when the comparison is done with other physical activities like hiking, jogging, or running. You also need to ensure adequate protection of your knees (specifically the joints). Do not make the mistake of some cyclists who go about using just bibs wrongly because the sun seems to be up but they forget totally about the wind-chill weather.
If you keep exposing your knees this way over the years, your knees will take a beating for it eventually so you have to be proactive. Now that you know what to wear during cold weather, nothing is going to stop your cycling!
