The Joys of Winter Cycling

It is possible to stay warm

(Note: I wrote this about a year ago, but it’s just as relevant today, as we start to slip into the really cold stuff. For me, the shoe covers might actually be the most important item on the list.)

As I write this on the second full day of Winter 2021, it’s cold outside, baby. Real cold. But that doesn’t stop me from riding my bike outdoors. My fractured wrist does, but not the cold.

Last winter, I rode a lot. If my hand heals properly (2022 update: it isn’t what it was, but at least I can ride), I plan on doing a lot of it this season as well. Here in north-central Maryland, it gets cold. Remember, too, that cold on a bike ride isn’t like cold on a run or hike.

That’s because you’re also creating your own wind as you ride. You don’t heat up nearly as fast as you do when running or something else that’s slower.

In addition, my hands and feet can get frigid and go numb easily in cold weather. Not so much the rest of me, but when that happens, the ride ends. So I’ve bought a lot of cold-weather riding gear over the years. Here’s what I use to stay warm on those frigid rides.

It’s a bunch of stuff. Am I riding a bike or going skiing? Hard to tell, eh?

Hands

I wear the equivalent of these Pearl Izumi winter gloves (they don’t have my specific model in stock, but this is close enough.) If your hands get extra-cold, like mine do, consider a glove liner as well (these are very thin gloves you can wear under a thicker pair.

Also consider something like this pair of lobster gloves. I find them to be even warmer than the above pair. Shifting and braking don’t work as well for me, though, so I rarely wear them.

Feet

Keeping my feet warm is a much more difficult chore. I’ve tried lots of solutions over the years, and here’s what works best for me.

• Regular road shoes

• Wool socks (I like Woolie-Boolies, but any thick wool socks will work).

• Shoe covers. These go over your cycling shoe, blocking the wind and insulating your feet. For me, they’re indispensable. I wear Grip-Grab covers, the yellow ones for visibility.

• Even with those items, however, my feet would still go numb within a half hour. Then I discovered my secret weapon: HotHands Toe Warmers. Slap one of those over my sock (don’t put them on your skin!!), up near my toes. Voila! Warm tootsies for the ride.

Head

I typically don an insulated cap or balaclava, depending on how cold it is, and I’m comfy for the whole ride. For cyclists, they’re usually very thin and light, to fit under a helmet.

Body

I like full-length bib shorts, like these. They’re warm and comfortable, and don’t slip the way leg warmers do for me.

Over those, I layer up with a base layer, then a long-sleeve jacket, and finally a windbreaker. That’ll keep me warm down below freezing.

That’s what works for me, anyway. If you have your own bag of cold-weather riding tricks, let me know in the comments, so I and others can get the benefit of your wisdom and experience.