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As a cyclist, the most important thing is to arm yourself against the cold on the bike, but at the same time not to sweat too much - because wet clothing cools down extremely quickly. Not too much and not too little is therefore the motto. Because the sensation of cold is highly individual, there is no getting round experimenting. Here are the most important tips for a pleasant climate.
Bicycle helmet
Modern lightweight helmets direct the airflow to the scalp, which requires thick hats in winter, under which you sweat quickly when under strain. Largely closed aero helmets, on the other hand, do not allow the wind to reach the head at all. This is one of the reasons why professionals like to use them in the cooler classic races, but they also improve the head climate enormously for amateur riders. With closed helmets, the cap can be significantly thinner for winter cycling clothing, which is more comfortable to wear and also dries more quickly. With some helmets, the openings can be specifically closed, allowing you to control the climate under the helmet. There is a large selection of aero helmets, for example at Rosebike or Bobshop.
Cap for the bike
At least a simple racing cap should always be worn under the helmet on the bike in cold temperatures, as it keeps the scalp dry and slows down the wind. There are also Helmet caps for all temperature ranges - from thin functional material to thick neoprene. Hats with ear protection are essential for those whose ears freeze quickly.
Glasses
Safety goggles are particularly advisable in cold temperatures. Light-coloured or contrast-enhancing glasses, which are usually yellow or orange in colour, are suitable for winter.
Winter clothing for face & neck on the bike
If the collar of the jacket does not reach high enough, the neck should definitely be additionally protected from the wind on the bike. Simple and flexible are tubular Multifunctional scarves, also known under the brand name "Buff". They are comfortable to wear and hardly disturb you at all, and can also be pulled over your mouth and nose or used to cover your head. Headband or to the Cap can be converted. For really cold temperatures, there are also face masks that only leave the eyes exposed.
Winter cycling clothing for the upper body
The following have proven themselves Softshell jackets, which are windproof and breathable and can also withstand light rain. Also compulsory is a Vest, which wicks sweat away from the skin. How thick both need to be is again highly individual. Experience shows that during intensive training, athletes do better with a combination of vest and softshell jacket alone than with several layers. Those who ride at low intensity often feel warmer and more comfortable with the onion system - i.e. several layers of winter clothing on top of each other on the bike.
Hands
As extremities with little movement, the fingers are particularly susceptible to developing thick Gloves on the other hand, make braking and shifting gears more difficult. If you are particularly sensitive or are travelling in extremely cold conditions, you can opt for mittens with two separate finger compartments. However, it is particularly important to wrap your wrists thickly, because if you skimp here, you will quickly get cold fingers. Warm, thick cuffs on the gloves and long jacket sleeves over them provide double protection; the gloves can then be thinner in winter clothing for cycling. If you also ride in the rain, you should favour waterproof gloves. Once they are soaked, numb fingers are inevitable.
Legs
The following applies to the legs: wind protection is more important than a thick lining. Wind-repellent materials should be used on the thighs and crotch in particular, some Trousers have special inserts here. Water- and wind-repellent shorts with leg warmers are more comfortable to wear than thick, long trousers. Only a few products offer water-repellent material on the back; a mudguard is usually the better choice for wet roads.
Winter clothing for the feet
Like the hands, the feet also cool down particularly quickly because they sit far away from the centre of the body and are not moved much when cycling. Overshoes keep out most of the wind and, depending on the material, also protect against wet feet.
However, modern road cycling shoes often let in a draught through the ventilation openings on the sole, or the thin sole hardly insulates at all. In cold temperatures Winter shoes therefore often better; there is a larger selection for mountain bike pedals (SPD), in which you can also run better in adverse conditions.
Kristian Bauer
Editor
