What to wear for winter rides

By Michelle Valenti
 
Winter cyclist Gale Bernhardt doesn’t hesitate to answer when asked what she takes on winter rides: “A Camelbak with warm fluids to help keep me warm.”
 
“And chem packets…” she adds. “…the chemical heaters that skiers use.”
 
These may not be clothing items (we’ll get to those) but they are essential gear for any winter outing. “If you’re off on a trail, it’s not easy for people to get to you,” says Bernhardt, who prefers mountain biking to road cycling in winter. “What am I gonna do if I get in trouble?”

The heaters she tries to save for emergencies or mechanicals. If you have to change a flat tire or fix your chain, your hands get wet and cold fast. She also recommends carrying a paper towel to dry your hands in a bind.

Norm Hansen, a year-round bike commuter in Illinois and Service Manager at M+M Cyclery, also likes keeping his extremities warm. When it’s really cold, he wears cycling shoes designed for winter. “They can be expensive but they are worth every penny,” he says. “They really keep your tootsies warm.”

Of course if your core is cold, you won’t have much luck with your fingers and toes. And while the temptation is to bundle up, you have to be careful not to dress too warm.

“The general rule is that you will be cold for the first 20 minutes,” says Hansen. “But you will also work up a sweat.”

Bernhardt points out that “if you get too sweaty and then have to stop for anything, you’ll freeze.”

She wears a breathable base layer—one that can wick the sweat away from the body—a thermal layer on top of that and then, depending on how cold it is, she adds a jacket, vest or shell. She also likes to keep her head warm on the really cold days. “Head covers (worn under the helmet) are popular but I prefer a helmet cover (worn over the helmet) to keep the snow and wet out of helmet.”
Hansen takes the following five items on every winter ride:

·         Wool socks
·         Tights
·         Highly Reflective Jacket
·         Warm Gloves
·         Headlight

Dress According to Your Ride
The temperature isn’t the only factor you have to consider. Think about where you plan to ride. If you plan to ride hills, with long sweat-induced climbs, you’ll likely have to come back down. “The descent is the killer,” Bernhardt says. “You can’t generate enough heat to stay warm [when riding downhill].”

This is one of the reasons Bernhardt prefers off-road rides in winter. “Because you’re off road, you’re working to stay balanced through a foot of snow—that lets you generate enough body heat to stay warm.”

On road or off, you’ll want to experiment with layers and figure out what works best for you. Once you do, get out there and work up a sweat. The best part about winter riding is that it helps you build strength in the offseason. You’ll be even more prepared for spring training after several months of churning through all that snow.

Of course everyone has a limit. For Hansen, it has to be at least 10 degrees. “I’ve ridden in colder,” he says. “But it takes the fun away.”

Michelle Valenti is a senior editor at Active.com.