Outdoor Classroom
With crisp autumn air, it's a great time for outdoor cycling, but the chilly mornings and evenings can be quite unexpected. When the weather gets colder, how can you protect yourself while cycling? Are there any special precautions to take? An experienced cyclist tells us that quick-dry underwear, long-sleeve clothing, and knee pads are the “three essentials” for autumn cycling, and warming up comes with quite a few tricks.
Wear Quick-Dry Underwear to Prevent Colds: In lower temperatures, the body loses heat more quickly, so your clothing should prioritize windproofing, breathability, and warmth. According to experienced cyclists, when temperatures range between 5-15 degrees Celsius, you can opt to wear quick-dry underwear with long-sleeve cycling jerseys on top, and fleece-lined cycling pants or autumn tights on the bottom. No matter the temperature, wearing quick-dry underwear is essential for autumn cycling. If you don’t have quick-dry underwear, you can substitute it with short-sleeve cycling jerseys made of similar materials. This helps keep you dry during cycling and prevents colds.
As for clothing requirements, it’s not recommended to wear overly thick or loose outerwear or pants while cycling, as they not only increase wind resistance but also pose safety risks.
A Short Warm-Up Ride Isn’t Enough: Warming up is essential when cycling in autumn. If cyclists don’t warm up before setting off, it can easily lead to knee injuries.
The best way to warm up for cycling is by taking a slow ride. The lower the temperature, the longer your warm-up distance needs to be. Ideally, you should keep cycling slowly until you feel your whole body starting to sweat and your feet getting warm.
In addition to warming up, it’s also advised to take some external protective measures. It’s best to wear knee pads beforehand, and also develop the correct cycling posture — your knees should move vertically in a horizontal plane when pedaling.