It's winter for many readers, meaning that there is a good chance you're dealing with either snow, rain, cold temps, or any combination of the three if you want to head out on the bike. Summer can seem so far away during these deep and dark days, but that doesn't mean that you have to sit inside and sulk about it, only that you'll have to employ some common sense to make the most out of your time on the bike. Yes, you're likely going to be cold at some point regardless of how well you prepare, but you most certainly don't have to end up shuddering like a dog shitting razor blades just because you're riding a bike in cold weather. Rule number one: don't lick any metal poles. Rule number two: prepare properly.
If you could only give riders one tip for riding in cold weather, what would it be?It would take a few dozen hands to count that number of times that we've been out on riders with others who haven't prepared properly for the conditions, and we're not only talking about under-dressing, but also about putting too much on. Seriously, how hard is it walk outside and take stock of the day's conditions before heading to the hill so you don't discover that you still need to be dressed by your mother? Go stand outside and think about the type of ride you're planning; shuttle runs? If so, you're going to need to dress warmer than if you were going to spend an hour grinding up a steep climb. Going out with a group that might be moving slower than your usual pace, or one that will likely stop to re-group every few minutes? Again, wearing more than usual might be in order. With this in mind, your best option is to layer up like a Russian nesting doll, a strategy that means you can adjust to the pace accordingly. You'll also need to keep in mind that dressing too warm will lead to you sweating more, which can then be trouble when that moisture cools off after you've shed layers at the top of a big climb.
Besides the mostly obvious tip above, is there anything that can make a big difference?Obvious? You might not say that if you knew how many people we see riding with a cotton t-shirt as a base layer that quickly becomes soaked with sweat and then begins to mimic how wrapping yourself in a wet towel and making snow angles might feel. But, if you have the basics down, the next step is to pick up some smaller items that will can make the difference between being chilled and being chill. We're talking about keeping four key areas warm: the ears, the knees, and both the your hands and feet. The last thing we want to do is to inject science or facts into the discussion, but we will say that keeping those four zones toasty, or at least from being chilled right to the bone, helps immensely in the battle for fun. A simple headband will work wonders at taking the sting of any windchill off of your ears, while a good set of lined knee warmers will help to keep those joints from getting stiff (no, we're not ninety years old, thank you very much). The hands and feet are a little more difficult, and you can end up spending some serious coin if you want to go all out. No one really wants to do that, though, so why not head to your local supply store and pick up some fleece gloves for about a quarter of the price of something brand name. So long as it isn't raining or cold enough to freeze the water in your bottle, those $10 USD gloves will do the job, plus they're thin enough to let you still "feel" the controls, unlike some of the over-stuffed winter gloves on the market. Really wet out? That's where the high-end options will come in handy, with their ability to keep you both dry and warm. A simple set of winter booties, waterproof or not, will keep the chill from passing through your vented clipless riding shoes while being far less expensive than true winter shoes, but booties obviously aren't a good choice when it comes to running platform pedals. If you don't clip in, you're best off investing in some warmer shoes that offer a good amount of water resistance, as well as some warm socks.
I like this penny pinching theme as I don't ride in the cold that often. What else you got?Using tape to block off the vents on the helmet that cost you extra because you wanted more vents might make you look like a dorky commuter, but keeping the wind off of you will keep a smile on your face. The fogging up of glasses or goggles is also more likely to occur when things get cold and damp, and it's one of the more annoying issues to have happen to you right before you roll into a tricky section. No, you don't need uber-expensive glasses or goggles to put a stop to this, just a ghetto anti-fog treatment that can work better than a bunch of vents that claim to keep your sight unobstructed. A quick wipe down with regular Windex or WD-40 (yes, WD-40) before heading out can make all the difference in the world, especially if you are stopping often during your ride. Doing shuttle runs and don't want to spend the extra coin on a spare pair of gloves? Just place your gloves on top the de-frost vent at the base of the truck's windshield to have them toasty warm by the time you get back up to the top of the trail, but we take no responsibility for the dead animal smell that will fill the vehicle when you do so.
Do I need to bring back-ups of anything?The only item that we bring duplicates of are gloves, and we'll sometimes even leave home with two extra sets stuffed into our bag. This is especially true for days when you expect to see Noah's ark float by, with the thirty seconds that it takes to swap out for a dry set being well worth the effort. Speaking of spare gloves, having a jacket or even a jersey underneath that sports some pockets will not only allow you to keep your spare pair of gloves dry, but also see them warmed up by body heat so that they aren't already freezing cold when you slide them on.
Should I be eating or drinking differently than normal? Your body is working to keep you warm while you're out there, and there is a good chance that you're burning more calories than when you ride at the same pace on a warm day. For this reason it certainly doesn't hurt to take an extra snack with you, or at least eat the one that you usually bring but never touch, when the temps head south but you can't do the same. It's also worth thinking about what kind of food you have with you when it's really, really cold, as some bars turn into cinder blocks if they can't be kept at a decently warm level, and we've found that we usually prefer more normal food when out for a chilly ride - think PB and J sandwich instead of that peanut butter flavoured energy bar. Likewise, having some tasty juice to sip on will make you more likely to drink during the ride than if you had plain water, and the fact of the matter is that you're less likely to be drinking as much as you should be if it's cold outside. And the best part of a winter ride? It has to be the hot tea or coffee waiting for you in the insulated mug you left in your car.
I know 510 make the Element now, but that is about as waterproof as a sponge.
Anyone know of a good brand???
You can't get 5.10 sole put on another shoe unless you are buying a re-sole direct from 5.10. Otherwise, it's a knock off. The chemical compound of the rubber will not be exactly the same.. Unless it was cut off an old shoe or something.
I am using the new Elements here in the rain and my feet have not been cold, aside from last week of sub-zero temps... But I'm a girl! My feet should be more delicate and sensitive, right?! Anyway, I find the (elements) freeridr legit for wet conditions. Best I've used.
Give them a house, money, food and a full health check.
And we pay 20% tax for the privilege of having a "multicultural" country.
I'm not originally from here. I have paid thousands in Visa fees, sat tests, paid emergency tax for a good long while, worked withou an form of fallback support such as job seekers allowance. I have two young kids, for which I also will not recieve any tax benefits.
Go back to reading the dail mail for your "informed unbiased informatiom"
Good tip on bringing extra gloves. I've been doing this for a while. In my area (W. Oregon), one climbs up 2-5000 feet before doing a massive decent. I prefer to have a decent set for the climb up (can be heavier). And two sets of thins for going down. Further, I have another super badass set (gore tex extreme conditions snowboard gloves) just in case my hands ever get to the completely cold and saturated point that makes them so cold and uncomfortable they never seem like they'll warm up. While these gloves are far too bulky and way too hot for riding, I put them on for 5-10 minutes on a ride and my hands start to regain consciousness. This is best for when my hands are so cold initially that when even with gloves that would be idea for conditions don't seem to be working. It fixes this problem. Honestly though, you can never have too many pairs of gloves in one's pack for longer days.
also merino wool base layer are amazing keep you warm slap on gore tex waterproof and thats got me through so far without being cold
As for gloves, I find waterproof XC ski gloves with a lea the palm are absolutely perfect for cold weather riding. Not bulky, great grip, keep you dry and they are usually designed to vent well. A bit more than the $10 supply store gloves, but they'll last you for years.
I personally just prefer wool socks as aforementioned, but figured I'd give that tip out for all you teenage dirt bags out there.
Another dirt bag tip is to stuff balled up newspaper in your shoes after you're done riding cause paper will absorb moisture from inside your shoes, getting them all dry for any succeeding sessions of slippy-slope shredding.
My recipe for comfort is simple and works really well on hot days [-15 upto -5].
Three layers on the core.
Core: First layer is merino wool long sleeve. Second layer a winter weight long sleeve race jacket. Third layer a gortex shell or waterproof breathable shell.
Legs: Bike shorts [road style] with winter weight leggings. Knee and shin pads over top are a great wind breaker and really keep the knees warm. The pads also protect the lower legs from the inevitable fall in the slippery trail conditions.
Hands: Pearl Izumi Lobster Claw gloves. I can work shifters and brakes with ease and more fingers stay together for better heat retention.
Feet: Defeet Woolie Bullies and 5.10 Karvers. Feet stay warm in all conditions.
Head: Merino balaclava. Helmet of choice [I use the same Bell Helmet as in the video]. Ski goggles. They never fog up.
Back: Big Camel Back with water. Drink and then blow the water back down the tube into the reservoir to prevent the whole system from freezing between the mouth piece and where the hose emerges from the pack.
My experience tells me that as long my core is warm/ hot, the other parts will also stay warm and comfortable. When it is really cold there's no stopping and chatting about features etc. All that talk is saved for the coffee shop at the end of the ride.
Caveat: I'm not sure if any of this would actually work if I was riding Enduro in the same conditions.
If you didn't bring too much clothing, you didn't bring enough.
in super cold conditions wear latex (or something else if have an allergy) under your regular gloves, this will keep hands dry an dampness out of the bones/joints. seriously your hands will be toasty after aboot 10 mins
they cost about £3-4 for a box of 100 pairs!!!!
1.) Legs - Pearl Izumi Amfib Pro winter tights.
2.) Hands - Gore Bike Wear Alp-X 2.0
3.) Core - Under Armour Compression Cold Gear & Gore Tex Shell.
yes, it's expensive. but guess what, you chose an expensive hobby, that you also apparently want to pursue during the winter, so coin up and do it right.
going about this cheaply just seems stupid. like a pair of fleece gloves are really gonna keep the wind out? amazingly bad advice.
I find waterproofs don't really work if you are sweating, you get just as wet. So you need to have something that works when wet, then forget about it.
I've found that's fine up until -10°C. If it's colder than that put another breathable insulating top on.
Always take spare gloves, ask Maurice Herzog why if you can't work it out. If you're going a bit away from civilisation a space blanket is nice and light and warm in an emergency,.
Winter Bike ridding for me is mostly done in streets, clycling paths and the local trails when snow conditions are correct.
that is when the right temperature (between -8 and -12 celsius is the sweetspot for packed hard hero snow) and the right amount of snowshoers and hikers have been packing down the snow leaving a acceptably wide trail.
Then comes tire (or bike) choice. Fat bike is obvious but stil just one of the options. Many othe ways to enjoy ridding on snow.
to stay warm?, it's not really complicated. Just do what the XC ski people do, ridding a bike in winter is very similar. It can get expensive to get the good quality stuff. I 100% agree with the article when it says that you need to prepare, size up the type of ridding and amount of exposure.
Ridding in the winter is still what it is...there is some fun to have but most of the time the rides are short to limit the exposure.
please summer...come back! It's been really, really cold here in Quebes this winter.
www.pinkbike.com/photo/10603393
Therefore, at the bottom of a hill you are about to pedal up lose a layer or undo a zip or whatever. Once you are going to descend, zip up and preserve that heat that will escape on your descent.
The goal is a little forethough about what temperature you are going to be in a few minutes time, instead of what temperature you are now.
if you put your feet in plastic bags, before putting your shoes on, then your feet won't get too cold even if your shoes are saturated.
merino, enduro specific if you can... is well worth your money, it wicks where compression stuff doesnt.
I just moved to Finland and had NO IDEA what to wear to ride in -20c. I know what to wear when snowboarding and I know how to dress when riding in 2c or so. Reading constant reviews on winter leggings helped none, as no one hardly ever mentioned temperature when reviewing winter gear. Useful, not! Here is what I wore...So I bought some 5mm neoprene overshoes, with some average density wool socks. I bought the thickest leggings I could find, and wore another pair of leggings over those with shorts on top. I had a full sleeve Halti base layer of high quality and pretty heavy, 80g/m I think, I also wore my snowboard midlayer micro fleece, and then my Endura softshell. I wore a micro fleece balaclava under my helmet to keep my head and ear and cheeks warm, this is handy as it can be worn under the chin or over the mouth. Hands are a problem, and I had super lightweight silk gloves inside my winter gloves, I easily get cold hands.. I rode a normal xc style route, with people I never met before so I had NO idea whether I would be slow, fast, stopping or not. Well, I was ok, for about 5mins, then I got really hot. So I undid my jacket and I was ok, then I met up with the others and, cooled down, then I got hot again. After a while, we stopped at a garage for coffee, and I took some layers off. My gloves were wet, my balaclava was soaked, and my back was drenched.. When we set out again, I was obviously cold, I warmed up, but didn't get hot.. Result? I still have no idea what to wear! And if the temperature goes up to -5 or so, I don't know what to wear, maybe a thin thirst base shirt, the long sleeve base shirt and soft shell..
Anyway, the purpose of this was to possibly offer information, but mainly to say the it's not nearly as easy as the butthead that wrote this article..
Keep pedaling and your stay warm.