Winter Cycling for Commuters and Road Cyclists

November 21, 2012

For fitness, fun or function, cycling is a year-round activity that exposes riders to the elements. Rain, shine and seemingly everything in between, autumn is here and winter is just around the next bend. That doesn’t mean we should all hang up our wheels and wait for spring though – far from it!

We’ve compiled a 3-step guide to help keep you safe, snug and pedaling through the winter.

Lights: Be safe. Be seen.

For commuters travelling to and from work or to the station early in the morning, lights are a necessity, both legally and to ensure you’re going to get noticed on the road.

It’s staggering how cyclists – even during the day - in dull weather can disappear into the mist and gloom.  We know it sounds obvious, but proper lights are essential - the more powerful the better.

• Light & Motion Urban 300 –
  • Light & Motion Urban 300 – £119.99
  • Light & Motion Vis 180 – £79.99
  • Electron Terra 1 - £39.99
  • Electron Pico Super 2 - £18.99

Clothing: What to wear?

Bright colours with reflective paneling are effective in terms of being seen by other road users, but it’s also where your enjoyment can be effected by wardrobe errors. Keeping warm and relatively dry in all weathers is a must!

• Jackets

Look for well fitting garments; anything too loose will act as a parachute in the wind. There are lots of jackets on the market, each suited for the varying weather conditions and budgets.

• Pearl Izumi PRO Softshell Jacket - £149.99
• Madison Clothing Stella II Jacket - £69.99

• Tights and Legwarmers.

Keeping legs warm, of course, makes cycling more comfortable, but it’ll also helps keep cyclists injury free. Riding in cold weather is tough on the joints, so keep those knees covered!

• Madison Clothing Pro Shield Bib Tights - £74.99
• Pearl Izumi Thermal Legwarmers - £49.99

• Gloves, Socks and Overshoes

Hands and feet are the first place cyclists to feel the chill. Those extremities, once cold, are hard to get warm again until you’re back in the warm so it’s wise to take precautions and wrap up those digits!

• Giro Proof Gloves - £44.99
• Giro Merino Wool Winter Sock - £14.99
• PRO Ventura Overshoes - £44.99

Winterproofing you bike!

Winter conditions are hard on a bike and regular maintenance is key. Bikes get dirtier, wetter and it’s important to keep everything clean in order for parts to function properly. Washing a bike gets you up close to your bike so it’s a great way to keep an eye on the wear and tear on the components. A clean bike is a happy bike!

• Mudguards, for obvious reasons, keep you drier on wet roads, but they also help to prevent the oils from the roads ending up on your clothes.

SKS Race Blades - £36.99

• Tyres are pretty much all the suspension road riders get from the road. In winter, potholes are more prominent and a wider tyre can offer greater resistance against punctures and offer more comfort.

Continental 4 Season 25c Tyres – £34.99

• Chain lube is very important in the winter. Damp conditions and salt from gritted roads aren’t good for a bikes drivetrain. Topping up on chain lube regularly will help to keep things ticking over nicely until spring.

Finish Line Ceramic Wet Lube - £8.49 (120ml)