Winter riding.

Don't be put off by the cold weather. Winter can be a great time to get out on the bike. However there are a few things you should consider to keep yourself safe.

Firstly you have to decide if it's safe enough to go out. If it's really windy it won't be particularly fun and there's a chance of getting knocked over by the wind. Similarly, if there's ice on the ground it's probably best not to go out. What to do instead? I'm sure there's something that can be done to the bike. Gears skipping a bit? Brakes needing bled/adjusted? I bet you've got a whole pile of punctured tubes waiting to be patched up! I certainly do. Or plan out big rides/tours for when the better weather comes back.


At the moment the weather here is dry and cold. With little to no frost and not much wind it's absolutely fine to get out on the bike. Here are a few tips you might want to consider for winter riding.


Get a Buff. In fact, get two. I wear one pulled over my neck and the other over my head so it covers my ears. You can make them into beanies for this purpose but I just pull it over my head so it covers my forehead and ears and let the remainder of the buff stick out the back of the helmet. Buff do many types including reflective and windproof buffs. 


Think layers. Many thin layers are better than one thick layer. It's true. I start with a merino wool long sleeve top (merino wool is the ideal material for bike touring), then a short sleeve jersey, then my winter jacket. If it's really cold I'll add my Gore-tex jacket for more insulation.


The same applies for your hands and feet. I'll usually start off with merino socks then a warmer hiking sock then Gore-tex/Sealskinz socks. Gore-tex socks are warmer than Sealskinz in my experience.

There are warm winter gloves available on the market but personally I don't like them. They're too bulky and restrict movement in the hands which means changing gears (if you have them!), braking and getting your water bottle is more difficult. If you have an old, stretched pair of gloves that have seen better days put these over your normal gloves. For a long time I preferred riding with 2 pairs of gloves (Endura Full Monty inside and Troy Lee Designs XC outside).


Get bib tights or leg warmers. If you don't already use bib shorts/knickers/tights then I'd highly recommend them. Normal padded shorts can move around too much. With bibs this isn't an issue. Plus you get an extra layer on your torso. I use bib shorts with leg warmers so I can wear my bib shorts all year round and add leg warmers when it's cold. I also have 1 pair of bib knickers (3/4 length) for those in-between days.


Keep hydrated. In order to function properly you need to be well hydrated. If you're dehydrated you will feel the cold more. Even drinking cold water will keep you warm, just keep drinking. Take a flask of tea/coffee/hot chocolate/soup or take some money to stop off somewhere for one. A hot drink will go down a treat on a cold ride.


Sunglasses aren't just for summer. The winter sun can be bright. When it's not so bright outside clear glasses are good at keeping the wind out of your eyes. Many companies do glasses with changeable lenses (clear, dark and yellow). I got mine for a few pounds in Aldi.


Lip balm is essential for me when riding, especially in winter. The cold, dry air quickly destroys my lips. You can get lip balms with UV protection which are handy.


Don't forget your lights! It gets dark quicker in winter. You might not plan on being out for long but things can happen. Changing a tube or a spoke is much more difficult in the dark. Knog make small silicone-housed lights you can leave in your bag in case of emergencies.


When you stop for lunch/a snack/rest try to keep moving if you're stopped outside. Walk around while eating to try and keep yourself warm.


If you just can't warm up go inside. Stop at the next shop/supermarket/tourist office/library etc and pretend to look around until you warm up a bit. You don't even have to spend any money!