Cold-Weather Cycling Clothes- A Holiday wish list

I have spent the last five winters in Tucson so I have grown soft when it comes to cold weather but I would like to think that my past riding experience qualifies me to write an article about cold-weather cycling clothing. I went to college in Bozeman, MT. In between classes I was training full-time for bike racing. The winters there were cold and full of snow so I certainly spent my fair share of time on a trainer but I despised it and would do whatever I could to get outside and ride. I certainly looked odd out in rural Montana wearing my tights, booties, beanies and multiple jackets. One time I stopped to fill my water bottle at a gas station in Three Forks, a tiny town, and was asked if I was going scuba diving. Another time I was asked why I was still wearing my pajamas.

Anyway, you might look goofy but it is worth investing in some clothing if you love to ride and live in a cold climate. Here are some very basic things that you can put on your holiday wish list so you can get out and ride this winter:

Thermal Vest- Thermal jackets are pretty popular these days but I have found that it has to be really cold for me to wear one. Maybe I’m warm blooded but I’ve found I have to wait until the temperature is below 25° F or I sweat too much and risk getting cold from being wet. I’ve found that a thermal vest can be used over a much wider range of temperatures. When it is layered over a long-sleeved jersey it will keep your core warm in almost any temperature and if you get too hot, simply unzip it and you’ll cool right off.

Tights- You can spend a lot of money on tights but I’ve found that the basic fleece-lined tights from Pearl Izumi are pretty perfect for most temperatures and reasonably priced. If you are going to be riding in really cold weather you might want to look into their Am Fib tights but be careful because if it isn’t cold enough out you are going to sweat just like you do with a thermal jacket. I would recommend buying them without a chamois. Simply wear the shorts/bibs you would normally wear and pull the tights on over them. That way you are use to the chamois and you can go a few rides without needing to wash them.

Beanie- There are lots of options out there for these. You should look for one that is warm enough for you but will also fit under your helmet. Bonus- If you get a black one you can look like a gangster when you hit the town after your ride.

Ski Gloves- You can buy cycling specific warm gloves but they are pricey. I have found that your standard ski glove works really well. You can also take a look at Nordic skiing gloves for a good mid-weight glove.

Neoprene Booties- There are lots of different styles of booties out there. Some cover just your toes, others block wind, and others are waterproof. I have found that it is tough to beat simple neoprene booties for the price. I like the ones that have strip of Velcro to close them. They are simple, cheap, and keep your feet warm, even if they get a little wet.

Fenders- It is amazing how wet you can get from tire spray. If you are riding through melting snow or cold rain, fenders can make a huge difference in ride quality. Unless you live in Seattle you’ll probably only have a few days on wet roads so it doesn’t make sense to permanently install fenders. Take a look at SKS Race Blades. They use a few rubber straps to secure the fenders. They will fit on almost any bike and it is quick and easy to take them off and put them on.

White Trash Mocha- There is no better way to warm yourself from the inside and give yourself a little sugar boost than by filling your bottle with a bit of gas station coffee and hot chocolate. Enjoy.

This is by no means a comprehensive list of items you’ll need to ride through the winter but it is a start. Keep in mind that sometimes it just makes more sense to go out on cross country skies or snowshoes and embrace winter rather than doing battle with it on the road. Really the best option though is to head to Tucson for a Cycling House Camp.

Andy Schultz