Recently, temperatures have been dropping steadily, especially in the early morning and late evening, making us feel that winter is just around the corner...
Free riders... Rolling steel... Nothing can stop our wheels...
Lately, I’ve seldom gone out for rides and posted new topics, so I’ve mostly been at the club studying theory and writing some technical articles for everyone to refer to—haha—no more nonsense—let’s get to the topic.
In winter, some cyclists choose to store their bikes and wait for spring. More cyclists, however, continue to ride, heading into nature, riding with the wind, and exploring the land.
Winter cycling is different from cycling in spring, summer, or autumn. The natural conditions are relatively harsh, and there are many things to pay attention to, whether for the rider or the bike. Below, I’ll share some personal experience and insights.
First, in terms of clothing, winter temperatures are relatively low, and the body consumes a lot of heat. When choosing clothing, you should prioritize three principles: windproof, breathable, and warm. Windproof means reducing direct contact between cold air and your body to prevent discomfort. Breathable means allowing sweat and heat released by the body to escape without being trapped inside the clothing. Warm, as the name suggests, means maintaining body temperature. Based on these three aspects, choosing the right clothing is very important.
When the temperature is between 5–15°C, you can wear a moisture-wicking base layer top + long-sleeve cycling jersey, paired with fleece-lined cycling pants or thermal leggings + cycling shorts. The temperature isn’t too low, and you don’t burn a lot of energy while riding, so moisture-wicking base layers and cycling jerseys both offer good breathability. Some moisture-wicking base layers have an extra layer of fiber padding on the chest. Cycling shorts are form-fitting, effectively reducing direct exposure to oncoming wind and minimizing resistance and heat loss.
When the temperature is between -5–+5°C, you can wear a moisture-wicking base layer top + fleece + windbreaker, paired with long, thick cycling pants or short cycling shorts + thermal leggings + athletic pants. Nowadays, high-end winter cycling gear usually features an inner fleece layer and an outer windproof material design, making it ideal for riding in these temperatures.
When the temperature falls below -5°C, long-distance rides are not recommended. For short rides, opt for a moisture-wicking base layer top + fleece + windproof shell jacket, and pair with thermal base layer bottoms + thick cycling pants.
For gloves: In winter, you should choose full-finger gloves with reinforced backhand design to prevent hand injuries in case of accidents.
A few precautions:
1. If you don’t have a moisture-wicking base layer, you can use a short-sleeve cycling jersey instead, as the materials are similar and it offers better breathability.
2. Avoid wearing overly thick or oversized jackets and pants while cycling, as this increases wind resistance and causes unnecessary heat loss. Bulky clothing can also pose safety risks.
3. Just like in the other three seasons, when cycling in winter, choose bright-colored clothing to make yourself more visible to vehicles—safety first.
4. Choosing the right goggles is very important, as they can effectively reduce wind irritation to your eyes. This is especially crucial after snowfall, as it helps minimize eye damage from sunlight reflection.
5. If full-finger gloves feel too cold, you can wear a thin pair of white gloves underneath before putting on the full-finger gloves. This will provide effective warmth.
6. Some small items can be a huge help during your ride. A sport scarf is a great choice—the popular magic scarf can be styled in multiple ways and used for various purposes, whether as a face mask, headband, or neck wrap. You’ll likely find it useful.