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31 Comments

  1. We actually had to break out some cooler weather gear in Texas last week. (Then, yesterday, we hit 86F/30C!) We're heading into my favorite time of the year when things get chilly, people stay inside, and we have roads and trails [mostly] to ourselves.

  2. No cell phones ever in my life, but the first bit about the weather and friends checking in to know what to do reminds me of skydiving and the group I was with 20 years ago, when I did that most Saturdays, and in winters. Probably that's a sport that prepped me for rides in the winters and late falls, with damp or frozen cold times. You just had to really want to go and take that airplane ride and make those sometimes somewhat bizarre jumps out of it. I miss all that to a degree, but the economy and fitness from cycling the same as alternating with jogging or sometimes hiking (which albeit involves a drive) is hugely better for me, with the condition of far more for self-discipline or self-flogging sometimes. Actually, today is rainy and damp, and I avoid the road bike rides on days like this (if it doesn't dry up) based on the steeper hills and speeds, and cornering on the 28C tires. Got some dog jogging in already, and then there's the stationary bike. Yesterday got a decent ride in on the road bike. No one else out for that at all. Winds had picked up, overcast, and cooling for a jacket, thermal top, and cycle pants. Still wore the bike cap and not the watch cap!

  3. I AM THAT PERSON WHO WEAR'S THE BRIGHT COLOURED WINTER KIT!
    I HAVE LOADS OF KIT FROM TOP BRANDS IN BIGGER SIZES (NOT AVAILABLE IN THE UK!).
    A MOSSA BY PARENTINI IS DESIGNED FOR YOU TO SWEAT TO KEEP YOU WARM, BUT IS BREATHABLE, AND WIND/WATERPROOF!
    I HATE BLAND, BORING KIT IN ALL BLACK, OR BLACK/FLURO YELLOW, ETC!
    I ALSO HAVE 90'S CARRERA JEANS RETRO KIT BY NALINI, WHICH PANTANI RODE FOR!
    I DO HAVE SEVERAL OVERSHOES, BUT PREFER WINTER BOOTS BY SIDI!
    I HAVE THEIR HYDRO MODEL, BUT WANT THEIR NEW NIX MODEL WHICH IS AVAILABLE
    IN FOUR COLOURS!!!
    UNFORTUNATELY, I TAKE A SIZE 49 (UK 13), AND MOST SELLER'S DO NOT SELL BIGGER
    THAN THE 48 (UK DISTRUBUTOR REFUSES TO GET ME A 49!!!), SO HAVING TO WAIT TO
    GET A BLUE, ALTHOUGH THE BLACK AND WHITE VERSIONS ARE AVAILABLE IN EU AT
    CHEAPER PRICES!!!
    I ALSO LIVE IN SOMERSET, WITH THE WORST ROADS IN THE UK, SO IF IT IS ICY, I WILL
    AVOID BACK ROADS AS THEY ARE LETHAL!!!

  4. The way I like to tell people is the objective of riding in winter is not to keep warm but not to sweat. You need to find the goldilocks spot of not too cold and not too hot. Sweating will make you colder in the long run, especially if you spot for any length of time and cool down, like a cafe stop or a mechanical.
    I'd advise layers and also a small packable backpack or musette, this will allow you to remove bulky layers and have somewhere to carry them whilst riding. Decathlon sell them for a few pounds.

  5. Liner gloves inside your winter gloves give extra insulation and comfort. I always get cold fingers and tried many many gloves. This works the best. Even in milder temperatures, a thin liner in your thinner gloves gives enough insulation and you don't have to wear your heavier winter gloves which is overkill for the temperature but your spring/autumn gloves are too thin.

  6. Sealskins cold or extreme cold waterproof socks were a game changer for my winter rides. And toe covers (I'm too lazy for full shoe covers) are enough for most cold temperatures and weathers.

  7. A buff/snood is great as it is so versatile. Wear as a head band to mop up sweat, cover ears to keep them warm and in really cold temps, you can make it into a balaclava to stop the stinging cold on your face. Get a merino wool one as wool still has insulation properties even when wet and natural antibacterial properties.

  8. I'm not fully buying it. When I come back from a ride in sub 45° (fahrenheit) temperatures I find that I'm sore for a good few days. When the temperatures are more reasonable I would come back from that same ride refreshed. And it's not my kit. I know how to dress for the winter, as you say, it is all about sweat management.

    I may try a ride on the pedal assist, a bike I use mainly for around town errands and grocery shopping to see whether that makes a difference. It may, but then of course I don't get the same level of workout.

  9. Hello from Summerville Oregon USA in the Blue Mountains. I only ride for fun and that means all year long. Winter riding here means pogies on my bars, snowboots and ski pants, face mask, and chemical heat packs. If there is snow on the road I'll lower my seat but usually our roads are clear dry pavement regardless of the depth of snow. Last winter I rode through 25 inches of fresh powder and had more fun than I've had in decades.

  10. I’m a beginner at cycling and love it ! but live in Canada. What do you suggest to wear in -10 weather ? i wanted to keep riding until the first snowfall great channel thank
    you I miss riding already after a week in a half

  11. Absolutely agree, you just need the right cycling clothing and leant a lot from my mistakes. I try and ride as much as I can in winter and just be sensible. I don't ride when it is icy or when it is tipping it down. I have issues with cold hands so I purchased a pair of heated gloves by Sealskinz. So just be prepared and enjoy.

  12. Did a -3C bike orienteering event some years ago. Both my daughter and I had to talk each other out of riding back to the church hall where we set out from. The tea and cake spotted at the start didn't help. We couldn't locate the final dobber (micro chip thingy) and we carted ourselves back, just in time for enormous hunks of cake, tea and soup. Best part of the ride.

  13. Was at a gravel race in March. March in Michigan is somewhat of a crap shoot so knowing how to dress is really important.
    At the start line of the race the race promoter , when the start gun went off, was pointing and shouting, "TO WARM,TO WARM….." at the racers who did NOT get it right. 😂

  14. I only ever use to ride my bike between April and September until around 5 years ago when I did some winter cycling with a good mate. Yes, some of those early winter rides were cold and very tough where I often questioned my life choices, but I learned some much about gear & mentality back then.

    Ever since then my winter mileage has been getting bigger & bigger. My one key tip is to stick to 15-30 mile rides as then you’re not out long enough to really suffer but you still feel like you’ve done a substantial ride.

  15. Dress for the second half is such an undervalued piece of advice. I first heard that when running and someone told me to dress like you've run 2k already, it was spot on advice and cycling has been exactly the same.
    Expert cold weather cyclists layer better than the majority of fashion YouTube in my opinion!

  16. Strange, I’ve never related cycling to training. For me riding is for pleasure and that’s it. Maybe it’s another myth that cycling is only for training.

  17. 1 thing I used to use – mittens, ok for di2 not so good but axs ok, tho I did at the time use sti levers, having those fingers together is a winner 🔥 – when I didn't have much cash I used a cut down pullover (sleeves cut off) but now I mostly use thermal vests with thick winter jackets gabba etc 👍

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