What you should know about winter cycling

Winter biking is a daring activity that allows you to push your limits. The intensity of biking is measured by several factors, but in this case, it is mainly weather conditions. In the winter, you prep yourself by wearing heavier clothes, using more gear, and using a fat or snow bicycle. Essentially, you carry more weight. This builds muscular endurance and prepares you to skillfully navigate unfavorable situations.

The following tips provide you with skills that can make your winter cycling a rewarding experience. As the harsh season approaches, you can get ready to put them into practice and start your bike commuting:

Clothing for Winter Cycling

The most important aspect of cycling in cold weather is bundling up. Many bikers make mistakes in this area and start off biking either over or under-dressed. Naturally, you tend to assume you’ll need to be overly bundled up to protect yourself from the cold. Biking cancels out much of the cold by producing heat while riding. Therefore, being overdressed can pose the risk of hypothermia. The right thing to do is wear clothes recommended by professionals. Such clothes should keep you slightly cold but as you start peddling your body will start to warm up and balance out the cold.

Base Layer

The innermost layer of your clothing should be preferably of merino wool or synthetic fiber like nylon or spandex. Wearing a jersey made from these materials helps keep you dry, as opposed to wearing cotton, which absorbs sweat and holds the moisture against your skin. Also, if you plan to bike through strong winds, it is best to layer yourself with fleece underlined bottoms. Fleece is an extremely lightweight fabric that serves as excellent gear for keeping warm. You may even find a fleece underlined jersey to keep handy.

Cycling Jacket

There is special outerwear designed for winter cycling which enables venting. A softshell jacket, for example, helps keep you warm and dry by allowing sweat to evaporate. It also allows the wind to penetrate to counter the heat your body produces. There are jackets with multiple features that offer a combination of warmth, windproofing, and water resistance. They’re usually lightweight and are more relieving and easier to bike with. For cool and wet conditions, a waterproof jacket is a must to use. All in all, a waterproof cycling jacket provides you with a good level of protection from water and at the same time helps maintain breathability.

Cycling Gloves

Cycling gloves are an important component of the cycling outfit. Cyclists wear gloves to soak up sweat and keep their hands dry. The grippy pattern of the gloves helps you maintain a safe grip on the handlebars. They also provide comfort to the palms as they are padded with a soft cushion. Gloves are manufactured to suit bike riders for their cycling activities. They have the following properties: crash protection, water resistance, enhanced grip, and precise control of the handlebars.

Helmet

A helmet/headgear is the most important safety gear. It protects your head from injuries. Using a wool stocking cap under your helmet helps keep your head warm. They also reduce the impact sweat accumulation can have on your hair by absorbing excess sweat.

Footwear

Your feet lose warmth much sooner than you might expect while cycling in cold weather. Look for footwear that includes extra insulation to conserve heat and keep your feet warm. Toe covers can help keep wind out, but will not do much for insulation. Shoe covers provide both insulation and weather-proofing. Winter cycling boots are very effective, but can be pricey. For more casual riding, you can go for lightweight and waterproof hiking shoes. But make sure to avoid cotton socks as they hold sweat, making your feet even colder.

Forecast

It is important to keep yourself informed about how the weather will be if you're commuting by bike. AccuWeather, Inc is dedicated to keeping you informed regarding the current and coming weather with the most accurate forecast in the world. The app and website continually update, allowing you to check back for changing and developing forecasts. In addition, AccuWeather issues warnings if severe weather is expected.

Watching out for areas with challenging forecasts like heavy rain or snow in advance helps you plan your journey better. 

Factors such as melted snow and black ice must be looked at. Riding over them without taking caution can create serious problems, including injury. When melted snow refreezes during cold temperatures, usually after sunset, it causes black ice to form. You must learn to recognize black ice as it is nearly invisible to the naked eye at first. If you encounter black ice while biking, slowly ride through it. Riding consciously as possible can help you avoid sustaining serious injuries if you happen to fall. In cold and dry conditions, you have less to worry about ice. But you should still ride proactively, keeping an eye out for dangerous road hazards like debris, bumps, broken roads and potholes. Be alert, attentive and make yourself as visible as possible by using reflectors.

Fat Bike

A fat bike is generally a winter bike. It is known for being more suitable for cold weather as compared to its regular counterpart. Larger and wider tires enable a great level of traction on icy roads. If your area receives between 200-300 inches of snow per year, a fat bike should work well for you. The tires on this bike are likely to handle ice ridges well but with studded tires, you are much safer. Pedaling this bike may take more effort but it translates to extra training, which is a pro in itself.

Snow Bike

A snow bike demonstrates its potential when it comes to riding on a terrain heavily littered with snowfall. You can conveniently maneuver this winter bike in challenging conditions. The concept of snow bike has existed for the longest but has taken different exterior forms over time. Today, a snow bike is equipped with a ski - a stabilized snow bike design that allows for increased lifts in deep snow. Snow bikes are designed for pleasurable rides. Their high durability and extra strength ensure the quality of their performance is not compromised in any way.

Keeping Warm and Safe in Cold Weather

Bike commuting is a satisfying activity but it shouldn't be seen as an obligation. You should rather see it as a passion. During increasing temperatures, it is best to combine your commute methods and use a bus, especially if biking becomes uneasy. Carry a lock and chain with you so that you can fasten your bike to any pole or bike rack and continue your route back through an alternative transport.

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