Cold weather advice from a guy who was born and raised in Florida? True, it may seem strange, but I do have a few tips to help you stay warm and dry throughout the winter. Nothing ruins a ride faster than numb hands and feet, or a general shivering that won’t quit. It’s twice as hard to dress properly during this time of year, when it’s 40 degrees at the beginning of your ride and 70 degrees at the end. I can’t guarantee that this guideline will be perfect for everyone, but I’ve found that it applies to most.
- Temperature: 68 deg F and above. Bibs and a jersey will be all you need. When it’s extremely hot out you can try cutting the leg off of some pantyhose, filling it with ice, and placing it on your neck. As the ice melts it will send a stream of cool water down your back, which is great on a hot day. Your other option is to use a ziploc bag with the tip of the corner cut off, which works almost as well.
- Temperate: 60-68 deg F. Bibs, undershirt, jersey, and arm warmers. Sometimes you can get away with no arm warmers if you have a hard ride because your body temperature will keep you warm, but it’s usually best to at least start with them on.
- Temperature: 45-60 deg F. Bibs, undershirt, jersey, arm warmers, knee warmers, vest, and light shoe covers, long fingered gloves. Sometimes you can use a long sleeve jersey in this temperature range, but I prefer arm warmers because they’re removable in case it warms up. A vest is the most versatile piece of clothing you will own. When unzipped it is virtually non-existent, but when zipped it will keep you warm on the coldest descents.
- Temperature: 32-45 deg F. Bibs, short sleeve undershirt, long sleeve thermal undershirt, jersey, arm warmers, vest, leg warmers, neoprene booties, long fingered gloves, skull cap. There are plenty of thermal jackets, knickers, and tights that can be used in this temperature range. I personally do not like them because as you warm up you can’t remove layers, which causing overheating and sweating. As you sweat your base layers will get wet, which will end up making you freeze later on the ride. The long sleeve undershirt and skull cap should be the first to go when you start getting warm. Get leg warmers with a zipper up the back so that you can unzip them and fold them up, turning them into knee warmers.
- Temperature: 32 deg F and below. Bibs, long sleeve undershirt, jersey, thermal jacket, tights, neoprene booties, lobster gloves, full face mask. I personally still prefer leg warmers to tights in this cold of weather, but they do become necessary in extremely cold temperatures (in which case I’m on the trainer anyways and in no need of tights). It’s important not to wear too much underneath a quality thermal jacket, as these things heat up very quickly. The best one that I have found is by Giordana, which is fleece lined and will keep you warm if you want to ride to Santa’s house. If you have bad circulation to your feet and hands like I do it may be worth investing in a box of warm packs. They are little bags that warm up when you shake them, and they work VERY well. If you go without them and your feet start to freeze, try getting off the bike every 30 min or so and walking for a few hundred meters. Walking promotes circulation in your feet and it will help get some blood flow back.
Follow these guidelines and take the guess work out of dressing for cold weather. Should it warm up you will have plenty of room in your pockets to store these items. Otherwise you’ll just have to stash them behind you neck and look like a humpback on the ride home. Either way, enjoy the ride.
