Everything You Need to Know About Winter Cycling

When it comes to winter cycling clothing, Chris Mayhew, an associate coach at JBV Coaching, starts with a warm base layer.

“Your body is making all the decisions about what to do based on core temps, so make sure your core is toasty,” Mayhew says.

From there, you can add multiple layers that you can put on or take off as you get warmer or the ride gets longer. “Really, you can get through about anything with a good base layer and jacket,” he adds.

Realize you’re going to be cold, at least at first, says Kevin Whited, frequent winter commuter and transportation development coordinator for the city of Carmel, Indiana.

“You shouldn’t be warm when you get outside, ready to ride,” Whited says. “If you are, you have too much clothing on. You should always be slightly cold before you get on and begin riding.”

Fat bikes are awesome, but you don’t necessarily need four-inch tires to have a blast in the snow. Winter cycling can be rough on bikes, though. Rather than risking your primary ride, opt for that long-ignored mountain bike gathering dust in your rafters, if you have one.

For more stability on the snow, run the lowest tire pressure you can without getting a pinch flat. Depending on your weight, you might be able to ride 15 psi or lower. (Be sure to experiment with tire pressure in the fall, so you’re not changing flats in the middle of winter.)

Also, try running the widest tires that you can fit on your bike. If you want a bit more traction in icy conditions, consider investing in a pair of studded tires.

Riding in the slush and snow will kick a lot of salty, dirty water onto your bike’s parts, which can cause corrosion and damage over time. Be sure to wash your bike, or at the very least wipe it down or rinse it, as soon as you finish each ride.

One of the first rules every cyclist learns is to never use WD-40 on a bike—but spraying it on the frame before a ride will help repel ice and grime that your tires have kicked up, says Fred Iversen of Shamrock Cycles.

After the postride cleaning, spray it on your bike chain to get rid of excess moisture. Use a thick lube such as NixFrixShun, he says, to keep everything running smoothly on your next frozen ride.

Your hands and feet typically get cold first, as your body focuses on keeping your core warm. Keeping your extremities toasty is key to an enjoyable winter ride, which is why it’s smart to wear a pair of warm cycling gloves.

Air-activated heat packs are cheap and add much-needed warmth to the insides of your gloves and shoes. Buy a box and keep them in your car or backpack—and be sure to keep a couple extra handy for riding buddies who didn’t plan ahead. Some of these hand warmers last up to 10 hours, so you can reuse the same pair heading home as you did on your morning commute.

In sub-freezing temperatures, winter cycling boots, like the Lake MXZ 303, can be the difference between a temporarily tolerable and a reasonably comfortable ride.

Whited always carries two pairs of gloves—one heavier and one lighter—to handle temperature shifts. A pair of lighter gloves can offer a bit more finger dexterity as well, making flat tire changes faster and easier.

An extra pair of wool socks stashed in a re-sealable plastic bag can be a godsend if you accidentally put your feet in a puddle or an icy stream on the trail.

There’s no reason to buy a lot of new bike gear if you already like to hit the slopes.

Ski gloves will keep you warm on the bike, though you may not have the same amount of dexterity. Ski helmets can also keep your dome warmer than multi-vented bike helmets. Just beware of going out too hard and overheating.

You might not feel warm on winter rides, but you’re still sweating and need to hydrate. Get warm from the inside out by bringing hot broth or coffee along to slug when you cross into shivering territory.

A double-insulated coffee mug or flask from Stanley or HydroFlask will keep your liquids hot—and in turn, keep you warm—even in freezing conditions. If you’re riding with a traditional water bottle, keep it in your back jersey pocket so it won’t freeze, Mayhew suggests.

Fenders keep slushy road spray off you and your bike, and more importantly, off the people you ride with, Mayhew says.

He suggests attaching a pair of SKS Race Blades or a similar product to your bike. Or use our handy guide on how to choose and install fenders on your bike.

Daylight is scarce during winter months, putting a damper on road safety.

Always keep at least one small, rechargeable bike light on your front handlebar in case you spend too much time at the midride coffee stop. And consider investing in a light-blaring taillight to announce your presence to the world on the road. It also helps to wear reflective clothing.

Even though it’s winter, it’s still important to apply sunscreen to any exposed skin, such as your face, when riding during the day. This is especially true when there’s snow on the ground, as snow can reflect nearly 90 percent of UV radiation.

Your skin can seriously dry out when biking in winter, too, and applying a protectant such as sunscreen, moisturizer, or even Vaseline can help your skin retain moisture. Also, don’t forget the lip balm.