Skip to main content

In all my years of #cycling, I've never found a great solution for cold weather. If I bundle up so I'm not chilled, then I soak everything with sweat in short order. If I wear less, then I freeze. I've tried Merino wool, synthetics (Gore, Event, etc.), and so on, but nothing works well enough for me.

Sadly, that means I don't do anything exciting on the #bicycle during the coldest part of the year. Just my daily local loop. :(

#mastobikes #biketooter

#cycling #bicycle #mastobikes #BikeTooter

Jon PENNYCOOK reshared this.

in reply to Neil E. Hodges

Harold Jarche
Harold Jarche
• •
Same here. Just back from a ride at -2C. I could only do 30 km because I just got too cold. I wonder if riding a mountain bike might be better because there's less wind in the woods and you move slower? Anyway, I have gravel & road bikes so not an option
in reply to Neil E. Hodges

nothingfuture
nothingfuture
• •
I always aim to get out the door feeling cold. Sometimes I wear a windblock vest for the first bit until I warm up, and then it gets fully unzipped (and I join #teamflappyvest ).
It’s usually three layers for me- a skin touching layer to wick, a middle layer for insulation (often wool), and then an outer layer for elemental protection (wind, rain, snow). The outer two layers NEED to be full zip, with pulls I can grab. I unzip on climbs, and rezip on decents. #biketooter
#BikeTooter #teamflappyvest
in reply to nothingfuture

Will
Will
• •
@nothingfuture perfect layering strategy. Mirrors my own, my weak links are hand and foot warmth in the few degrees above freezing and anything below. My most recent long ride in such conditions, I added a hand warmer to back of each hand under glove, and one each to top outer side of foot. Made it comfortable without being hot as it gently warms the blood on it’s way into extremities, and didn’t effect fit of shoes or control of digits.
@nothingfuture
in reply to Neil E. Hodges

NilaJones
NilaJones
• •

Yeah, it can be tricky!

What works for me is to wear multiple full zip layers on top. No quarter zip / opening at the neck only!

That way as I warm up, as I am riding, I can first unzip my outer parka, then unzip inner fleece jacket, and get the cold breeze coming in

Of course, this is not aerodynamic, but I don't care

in reply to Neil E. Hodges

Richard K :blobcatverified:
Richard K :blobcatverified:
• •
if you don't mind luggage, wear layers that you can strip off as you warm.
in reply to Neil E. Hodges

valkraider :verified:
valkraider :verified:
• •
same thing with winter sports. The trick for me is a good wicking base layer to get the moisture off the skin, then a breathable middle layer for insulation but that allows the moisture to evaporate and then a water resistant outer shell with enough venting to breathe but not too much to be cold.
in reply to Neil E. Hodges

Neil E. Hodges
Neil E. Hodges
•
I’ve since discovered that bundling up and getting warm at home before starting the ride helps me a ton.
⇧