What precautions can I take riding my bike in the cold winter air??

Question

I'm gonna be riding my bike this winter and I need a few tips to keep warm and avoid sicknesses through the cold winter air. Mainly in what clothes/shoes/gloves to wear. I've been riding just with a nice jacket but my throat has been getting pretty messed up.

Thanks for all ur help

Answer 1

the key is many thin layers... most cycling apparel is not that thick anyway, so a few layers with a good wind barrier (like a good Pearl Izumi windbreaker) as the outside layer. I like a Pearl Izumi or Nike base layer, a thick long sleeve jersey, then a cycling jacket or wool layer, then the windbreaker.

as the other posts have mentioned, head covering under your helmet and long finger gloves will help, and remember to wear something outside your shoes (like calientoes or shoe covers).

remember you can always remove a layer as the temperature rises or your exercise makes you hot.

Answer 2

This is what I wear during the winter:
A balaclava, because your face gets really cold and it will help warm up the air you breath, Maybe it will help your throat. Some times I just need a skull cap. But I bring the cap with me just incase it warms up. Oh don't forget sunglasses, if it's overcast get the ones with the amber lenses. The sunglasses will help keep your eyes from freezing over :)

Wind proof gloves, I prefer the lobster gloves.
A base layer on top, Just a tight fitting running shirt, on top of that a thick long sleeved jersey, and on top of that a wind proof cycling jacket, I perfer my pearl izumi Barrier jacket

On the bottom, a regular pair of riding shorts with wind proof tights or a thick pair of tights.

On my feet, I have wool socks, and neoprene booties. MY feet still get cold sometimes so I tape those handwarmers on the tops of my shoe then put on the booties. What can I say I have cold feet :(

Good luck! Winter training can be fun if you dress correctly :)

Answer 3

Skullcap under your helmet. Much heat is lost through your head, this helps a LOT.

Full finger gloves. Traditional fingerless gloves will leave your fingers frozen.

Light nylon shell pants. Need to be close fitting so they don;t get tangled in the chain. If below 30 degrees then throw on some long john bottoms as well.

Finally, us only synthetic fibers for all clothes (NO cotton). This is warm when wet (sweat).

Finally wool socks helps the feet. My buddy has tight shoes, so he even puts the wool socks on OVER his shoes and he saiys it works great.

Answer 4

as long as you are staying above 40 degrees you can get by on very little. if you want to spend some mula and do it right, then buy some "windblock" items...gloves, jacket, booties, bib tights. if not, you can improvise. you want to keep the wind off your chest - you can use newspaper or a brown bag or even find a fedex box and take a fedex envelope out of it, peel the seal and stick closure and just stick it to your chest high up around you neck, then cover that with a jersey...use a few jerseys on the skin and maybe 2 light wind breaker layers if necessary on the outter. avoid cotton! on your head you can use a baseball cap. on your feet you can put your shoes on then cover them with a large heavy wool sock, then cover that with a plastic grocery bag, then snug it all up with a top layer of a cheep nylon dress sock from the dollar store. and wear some glove. bottom line is if you want to get out there, or need to...you'll figure it out- i did

Answer 5

A balaclava will help keep some of the moisture in your throat and help with the dryness. You need to drink plenty of water still, and a good base layer (like an UnderArmor shirt, $25) will wick nicely and keep you from getting a chill.

Get some good tights, like PI Thermafleece or AmFibs, and some nice booties to cover your feet. Blocking wind and good sweat management are more important than bulky insulation.

Answer 6

No matter what the weather I always wear a long sleeve thermal, turtleneck and big heavy jacket. As temps drop, I add hoodies (and lots of them lol). I guess it depends on the person, but I feel the cold alot and have, in VERY low temps, worn no less than SEVEN hoodies between by turtle neck and jacket - they're great items of clothing as they provide an extra warm layer and a hood to put up, after all - a lot of the bodies heat is lost via the head.

Answer 7

Wear a thin balaclava which can cover your head, ears, neck and mouth and can be adjusted to adapt to changing conditions.

Neoprene isn't the best material for winter gear because the waterproof characteristics that keep you dry from outside water also keeps sweat inside, making you feel clammy.

One simple trick to helping you keep your toes from freezing is to keep your shoes barely snug so blood can circulate easily to the toes and feet.

Wear outfits that allow sweat to evaporate ( you will still sweat during winter). If you retain sweat in your clothes, you can easily get cold, feel clammy and uncomfortable.

Drink water. Water is needed by the body to help regulate body temperature.

Answer 8

Depending how cold it gets. If you over-dressed your body will sweat allot and soak your clothes making you freeze. Gloves and scarf hat can help. Your body can generate allot of heat. Some times you rather carry your hat and gloves in your back pack instead. Better to carry too much than to have too much on.

For your throat, wear a scarf to keep it warm. Don't ride too hard to make you breath harder. Cold air can hurt your throat.

Answer 9

Definitely wear gloves and a head covering under your helmet (most heat is lost through your head).

You can also get "warmers" specific to parts of the body--arms, knees, legs, etc.

Here's a good site:
http://gearwestbike.com/itemlist.cfm?category=190

Answer 10

You don't get sick from cold air !!! You get sick from a virus from another person...What kind of bike ? Road / mountain ? What kind of riding ? Where are you ? Are we talking about snow, or just rain?????