Cold weather can quickly sap your motivation and keep you from enjoying gravel biking. After all, no one wants to be shivering and wet while riding along gravel tracks. The good news is that you can do a few simple things to stay warm and comfortable while riding.
Layering your clothes
One of the easiest ways to stay warm is by layering your clothing. Keep a few things in mind as you are doing this. First, you will need to ensure that your clothes are breathable, as you will start sweating after riding for a few minutes.
Next, you will need to choose a material that allows you to retain heat while still being lightweight. Often, Merino wool is a good choice. This article goes into more depth about the type of materials available and the pros and cons of each.
On a longer ride, it’s always a good idea to carry a backpack. A backpack can carry essentials, like tools to repair a flat tire, food, or a camera to shoot the wintery landscape. Leave a little extra space in your bag. The extra space will allow you to stow a top layer of clothing if you get too hot.
Wearing warm headgear
Most of us know the importance of protecting our torso and legs from the cold air. But body heat also escapes from your head. Because of this, you will need to wear a beanie or skull cap.
Wearing a hat can be tricky when riding a bike. You’ll need to get something reasonably tight so it doesn’t interfere with your helmet. If it is snowing, you can wrap your helmet in plastic. While this might not be the most fashionable approach, it will stop the moisture from dripping through the helmet.
Keeping your hands warm
One of the most frustrating parts of riding a bike during the winter is the chill getting into your hands. After a while, even gripping the handlebars can be a difficult task. Wearing quality riding gloves can help you solve this issue.
It would help if you chose something flexible to allow your hands to move freely. Furthermore, along the way, you should also plan regular breaks to allow you to apply hand warmers. It’s also a good idea to find gloves made of waterproof material.
Opt for thicker socks
Wearing thicker socks is a good way of keeping your feet and lower legs warm. You should choose a material, like wool, which helps insulate the heat. Though, you might need to select a different shoe type to accommodate the thicker socks.
Other riding gear to help you stay warm
While altering your clothing is a good start, consider a few other things to help you stay warm. First, it can help to take a pair of sunglasses. Sunglasses will help protect you from the glare of snow and ice, making sure you can clearly see the road ahead.
Adding some fenders to your bike is also a good idea to stop the tires from throwing up snow and sludge. Make sure that the backpack you are carrying is waterproof. You should also plan more regular stops, as riding in the cold can be draining. You should sip a warm liquid during these breaks and have a snack.
Lastly, ensuring that you have a bike that can tolerate the colder weather is essential. If you want to know what to look for, check out this review of gravel bikes. You will also need to be prepared to perform maintenance more frequently. In particular, you will need to clean snow and debris from the chain system. You might also want to consider choosing tires that will provide additional grip so you don’t slip over the snowy terrain. This article has some more tips on preparing your bike for winter cycling.
Riding during the winter can provide a unique way of experiencing the landscape. These tips will help you keep warm while you explore the trails!
About the Author
John Watson is an experienced cycling enthusiast and a great asset when it comes to writing skills. He's a Bachelor of Arts and a talented journalist. John is in charge of our blog and writes posts on a variety of cycling-related topics.
