For the Cyclist Who Can’t Come in From the Cold

It isn’t summer yet, but with longer days and open roads beckoning, you might be tempted to ride when the weather smiles. But before you go, remember that shoulder season weather can be colder than you think. Does this mean you have to wait for hot weather? Nope. Be prepared! These tips will help.
______________________________

by Tamia Nelson | March 26, 2018
Originally published in different form on October 14, 2007

Bicycling Article on Tamiasoutside.com

If you’re tempted to roll out on your bike into the early spring sunshine, you might be surprised by how cold it can be once you’re underway, which in turn can ruin your ride and cause you to cut it short. You might even develop hypothermia or frostbite if your bike has a mechanical or a tire punctures. So before heading out on an early spring (or late fall) ride, consider these pointers:

It’s Colder Than You Think!  I “stage” for rides in a sheltered spot with a southern exposure. On a sunny day, the temperature in this refuge may easily be 10 degrees warmer than it is just around the corner — 20 degrees warmer than it is in many of the sunless hollows on my usual routes. If I dress for comfort at the start of a ride, therefore, I’ll be numb with cold when I’m swooping down the hills, and the first of these hills lies only a few yards from my doorstep. So I dress more warmly than the day seems to demand, and I seldom regret my decision. After all, I can always loosen zips and shuck layers as I warm up. (My panniers will hold any clothing I discard.) That’s a lot better than getting to town with numb hands and frost-nipped cheeks. And speaking of numb hands:

Cold Hands Are Poor Servants.  Once the cold has numbed your fingers and constricted your hand into a frozen claw, you’ll discover that braking and shifting are almost impossible. I find that long-fingered gloves are essential wear even when it’s merely chilly, and sub-freezing temperatures demand “lobster” mitts. Line ’em with wool gloves for versatility and additional warmth. Taken all in all, …

It’s Enough to Make You Cry.  And if the pain in your freezing fingers doesn’t do it, the icy blast of the wind in your eyes is sure to start the tears flowing. Your vision will suffer as a result. The remedy? Protective eyewear. It not only shields your eyes from the grit and gravel thrown up by passing cars, but it also blunts the cutting edge of the wind. No cyclist can avoid wind, after all. Even if the day is dead calm, you’ll make your own breeze as you ride along.

But perhaps you think I’m …

Going to the Extremes.  I can assure you that I’m not. And your fingers and eyes aren’t the only body parts requiring protection. Extremities like ears, nose, and toes will feel the chill, too. (Farwell has even frost-nipped his tongue, panting up hills on arctic days.) An ear sock or skull cap, a neck gaiter, and neoprene toe covers will fit in any jacket pocket, handlebar bag, or small pannier, and they’re worth their weight in warmth when you can’t come in from the cold. You can even wear the toe covers over your fingers, in a pinch.

And speaking about that unfortunate state of affairs, don’t forget that …

Breakdowns Happen at the Most Inconvenient Times.  I’ve had to fix flats and replace cables in the middle of snowstorms, and derailleurs are always freezing up in cold weather. Dealing with flats and “mechanicals” on the road is never much fun, and it’s a royal pain in subfreezing temperatures, but at least I’ve always had plenty of warm clothing in my panniers when the need arose. A cold weather cycling survival kit is a must for any cyclist who ventures off the beaten track in cold weather.

Gray Space

There you have it. The five desiderata of cold-season cycling. Yet maybe it all sounds like too much trouble. But before you decide to wait for the summer, just think what you’ll be missing if you do: crisp air, long vistas, and the satisfaction that comes from meeting nature’s challenges head-on.

Read more: Cold-Weather Cycling | What Am I to Wear? | Clean Your Bike!

Keeping Hands Warm in Cold Weather Cycling - (c) Tamia Nelson - Verloren Hoop - Tamiasoutside.com