Cycling in the winter is something most people shy away from. I get it. I used to too.
Until you do it, and then you realise that it is not tough to do AT ALL.
In this post, I’ll cover how to cycle in the winter, with tips about:
- What to wear while cycling in the winter
- Bike modifications for winter cycling
- Lastly, some final tips and things to watch out for
Before getting into that, however, let me answer one question that almost everybody who wants to start winter cycling asks me:
How Cold Is Too Cold For Cycling?
The answer will vary for most people, however a general rule of thumb is:
Most people will find that any temperature lower than 0°C/32°F is very uncomfortable to cycle in, unless they wear specialised gear. However, most modern bikes themselves function well up to -20°C/-4°F. Road conditions below freezing temperature also make it tough to ride unless the bike has studded tyres.
Pay particular attention to the conditions before setting off. I cycle around London all year round, but whenever the temperatures are closer to zero, I don’t.
The reason?
Black ice.
Black ice is the biggest threat on roads for cyclists and even pedestrians. Have seen so many people crossing a stretch of road and slipping or twisting their ankle because they didn’t notice the black ice.
I once even saw a cyclist almost fall down as he parked his bike because of a stretch of black ice.
Anytime temperatures hover around 0°C/32°F or go lower for more than 24 hours continuously, I avoid cycling because I know there is likely to be black ice on the roads.
Now, the above passage was to tell you about how dangerous winter cycling can be- in the next three sections, I’ll tell you what you need to do to ride safely in the cold.
What To Wear While Cycling In The Winter
Take it from someone who cycled every day to university in London’s cold, icy winter- you definitely want to invest a little bit of money here, rather than just wearing an extra jacket on your ride.
#1 Base Layer
A base layer top (looks like a full sleeve shirt) and bottom (leggings) are a must if you go cycling, running or even for an extended walk in the winter (say below 2°C/ 35°F).
And yes, a base layer is different from your standard thermals. Thermals only retain heat, however, the base layer’s main job is the remove any moisture your skin generates AND keep you warm.
If you are going to sweat in cold weather, having a base layer is very important.
Here’s a good one on Amazon for men and another one on Amazon for women.
#2 Outer Layer
While your body may warm up fairly quickly, the wind-chill factor can make your ride miserable, or even make you sick later. That is why you’ll need an outer layer- a windcheater type material that is also waterproof, and has appropriate vents to allow moisture and heat to escape from your body. I like to look for a nice fluorescent jacket with couple of zips strategically placed around the chest and even underarms.
I really liked this one on Amazon because it is flourescent, which gives vehicles the added visibility to you, while on the road. For a sleeker style, look at this one on Amazon.
#3 Cycling Gloves
Believe me, I’ve been in the situation where I have lost the feeling in my hands completely while cycling (very dangerous) because I neglected to wear gloves during winter.
So, if you don’t want to be stopping every 5 mins to rub your palms together, cycling gloves are necessary. They don’t have to be expensive either- this one on Amazon is pretty cheap. The added benefit is that in the event of a crash, they will protect your hands.
Most of them (including the one I suggested) are smartphone compatible so you can pull out and use your phone mid-ride if needed without removing the gloves (which gets annoying fast, trust me)
#4 Cycling Headgear
I don’t know about you, but my head really gets cold while riding in the winter. Some of my European friends who also cycle around London in the winter are completely used to it and don’t mind, while others need some sort of headgear.
It doesn’t have to be fancy- sometimes I literally just put on a beanie before putting on my helmet. It doesn’t look pretty but gets the job done.
Eventually though, I got something like this balaclava from Amazon that covers the head as well as stops cold air from coming on to the face and neck.
Again, not expensive, just a few $$ to make your life more comfortable when you ride.
#5 Liner Socks and Thick socks
Liner socks act as a second skin and are supposed to be followed on by a second layer of thick wool socks.
I personally have not felt the need to wear more than one pair of my standard cotton socks, but if you are cycling at temperatures below freezing, these are highly recommended.
#6 Cycling shoes
Hard soled cycling shoes are a must for winter cycling because they will allow you to grip the pedals much better. The frost on the road and pedals makes one prone to slipping and falling, which is the most dangerous part of winter cycling, in my opinion. Any measure you can take in this regard is very important.
Pro tip: Be mindful where you take breaks and as you dismount the bike, do so in a steady manner. Many people tend to slip and fall because they don’t notice the ice near the gutters.
#6 Get Overshoes
Overshoes are essentially covers for your cycling shoes. They benefits of overshoes are:
- They are waterproof, so will keep your feet dry.
- They will keep you warm – till freezing temperatures at least, you won’t have to wear an extra socks layer.
- Many of them have a thermal layer that keeps you extra warm in temperatures below freezing.
- They tend to offer a bit of extra grip which is great.
Keep in mind, overshoes are designed for cycling cleats and you can get the same size of overshoes as your shoe size.,
If you have flat pedals, there may be a size mismatch with the overshoes and you may have to get 1-2 sizes bigger than your shoe size. Also, you will experience lesser grip as the overshoe secures itself to the shoe by a velcro connector that runs over a part of the sole. Just something to be mindful of.
By the way, I really liked this overshoe by GripGrab– they’re pretty much the most highly recommended overshoe I could find across multiple reviews on reddit, amazon and online reviews.
#7 Get A Neckwarmer
Breathing in cold, dry air on a strenuous ride can be exhausting. It can also cause a nosebleed in some people, which is why you might want to get a neckwarmer, that you can use to cover your nose and ears as well.
#8 Get Cycling Sunglasses
If you’re cycling in snowy areas, the white landscape will divert more harmful UV rays to your eyes than even direct sunlight. This is why, having a decent pair of UV ray filtering sunglasses is a must for every cyclist.
Bike Modifications For Winter Cycling
#1 Get Studded Winter Cycling Tyres
If you are going to cycle throughout the winter, there is one safety upgrade that you MUST do- get studded ice tyres (winter cycling tyres).
Whenever the temperatures hover around freezing in London, a slick layer of black ice tends to form over the roads and pavements, like I mentioned earlier. If you notice this, you have 3 options:
- Go on your bike regardless (please don’t do this- you might slip and have a bad fall)
- Opt for an alternative transport
- Swap your regular cycle tyres for studded tyres (winter tyres).
If you haven’t seen these, studded tyres basically are the same as your regular tyres- except for the fact that they have metal studs embedded in the tyres. These give you enough traction to be able to cycle on icy roads or even snow.
How To Use Studded Winter Cycling Tyres?
It is standard practice to ‘break in’ a new pair of studded tyres by riding slowly for a few miles on asphalt road/pavement. This helps to set the studs into their pockets. Post that, try to ride exclusively with these tyres only on ice/snow, for longevity.
Also- with studded ice tyres, higher air pressure allows you to go faster but slightly lower air pressure gives a better grip. I recommend keeping the air pressure on the lower side.
How To Choose A Studded Tyre For Cycling?
There are different types of studded tyres based on the kind of terrain you are likely to cover. If you plan to ride your bike on roads, you can get a road bike studded tyre and if you plan to go offroading, get the thicker mtb studded tyres.
- If you have a road bike, I would recommend getting a pair of these tyres from Amazon.
- If you have a mountain bike, I recommend getting a pair of these tyres from Amazon, as these would be fit for off-roading purposes.
That’s probably the most important thing out of the way- if you do just one thing, ensure you have good winter cycling tyres.
Having said that, there are a few other bike parts that you should keep an eye on:
#2 Attach A Mudguard
Mudguards will protect your bike and clothing from the dirt and grit on the road. This is especially helpful in countries like the UK (where I am currently) because it rains so much here.
Mudguards aren’t expensive either- here’s a nice one on Amazon.
#3 Buy Handlebar Pogies
This is something I’ve seen for the first time, very recently. A lot of motorcyclists especially wear Pogies here in London.
Pogies are basically L shaped gloves that are attached to the handlebars on your bike. You insert your hands in through the other end to hold the handlebars. This protects your hands from the wind and cold while riding.
This pair of pogies on Amazon has the best reviews I could find.
#4 Get Good Quality Bike Lights.
The days are shorter with lesser sunlight, and so you will need a good pair of front and rear bike lights (you might already have these- and if yes, feel free to skip to the next one).
What defines a good front and rear bike light?
I’d say any bike light rated 300 lumens (intensity of illumination output) or above is good as a front light and any bike light rated above 20 lumens is the minimum you should go for as a rear light.
The average battery life of these bike lights is 6-8 hours, but can be even extended/reduced further depending on which mode you use it in, how high is the output light intensity, the battery quality, etc.
Here’s a good set of bike lights on Amazon if you’re interested.
#5 Carry An Extra Set of Tubes
The winter conditions are much more corrosive (damp and salted roads are the culprit) which leads to a much higher rate of tyres being punctured. I would also suggest that you invest in a bike puncture repair kit that contains:
- Allen key
- A wrench
- A mini pump
- Tyre levers
- Puncture patches
Here’s a nice one I found on amazon that comes with a saddle bag that can be attached to your bike’s frame.
Additional Winter Cycling Tips
#1 Avoid Gutters
The gutters at the side of the roads is where water tends to collect and freeze into ice. If you have studded tyres, you won’t face any issues riding over the ice, however, if you take a break and stop on the side of a road near a gutter, you might slip badly as you dismount.
You should also avoid shaded areas for taking a break as there is a chance of ice build up there as well.
Basically- always look around carefully on the road before dismounting.
#2 Wash Your Bike After Every Ride
The dirt, damp and grit off the road, can damage the bike over time, if not cleaned away regularly. You probably already know this.
The most damaging thing about winter cycling though is that the roads are salted, and those particles tend to mix with the dirt and moisture and get thrown onto your bike. Salt particles on metallic parts of your bike’s drivetrain (chain, cassette, derailleur) is very bad for it’s longevity.
So, invest some time after every ride to wash your bike with soap and water, dry it and then also apply some lube on the drivetrain.
Cleaning and maintaining the drivetrain is really the MOST important thing a cyclist can do post every ride. It can be a pretty involved affair however. When I started out cycling a few years ago, it would take me way too much time to clean, and I’d always get my hands grimy and dirty.
That’s why, if you don’t have one already, I would suggest getting a cleaning set of tools complete with a degreaser (very important) and lube, like this one on Amazon.
#3 Check The Bicycle’s Brakes
This is just something for you to keep in mind, and likely won’t be an issue. Just letting you know that your bicycle’s brake fluids MAY freeze in really cold weather.
I’m talking polar conditions, not the average kind of winter most people see.
At what temperature do bike brakes freeze?
If the bike has hydraulic brake fluids, they are not likely to pose a problem till -30°Celsius/-22°F, which in most conceivable cases, is too cold for riding a bike. However if the bike has mechanical brakes, they, in some cases might not function very well below -10°Celsius/14°F.
It’s best to check the brakes’ functioning before you set off. Simple checks pre-ride, like just wiping down any frost that may have accumulated on the brakes can save you on the road. I wrote a whole post on this topic that you may want to read here.
#4 Wipe Down Your Bike Pre-Ride
Even while sitting in storage, ice may build up on your cassette, drivetrain and surrounding areas. If it is not removed before you go for your ride, it may pose trouble while changing gears or even damage the chain.
The simple solution here is to get a warm cloth and wipe down the ice. Next, wipe down the parts with a dry cloth. Give it a few minutes and then go out for your ride.
#5 Carry Snacks
This is the part I personally enjoy about winter cycling. Snacks!
This is because you will burn more calories than normal while cycling in the cold. You will feel more fatigued so carry something extra with you. I like to carry 2 bananas and some lemonade to replenish the electrolytes. Some of my friends also enjoy a granola bar on the ride, or even stopping mid ride for a coffee break!
#6 Consider Indoor Cycling In The Winter
If you don’t want to go outdoors in the cold- consider cycling at home!
You don’t need to buy an indoor cycle either- you can convert your outdoor bike into an indoor cycle and even add in some interactive game-like entertainment with apps like Zwift that create virtual cycling environments for you.
In terms of cost, most first timers end up spending around $100-500 on their setup, depending on the kind of sophistication they want. However, if you are interested in setting up a basic indoor cycling system, you could do it for as cheap as $100.
If you are interested to know more, I wrote a detailed post on how to convert a regular bike into a stationery bike, that you should read.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Healthy To Cycle In The Winter?
There is plenty of scientific research to suggest that cycling in the cold boosts your mood, cardiovascular health as well as burns more calories. Personally, I do it simply because it gives me a reason to step out of the house in the dreary winter months, and instantly boosts the mood.
Is it harder to cycle in the winter?
People will find it slightly harder to cycle in the winter because the body takes longer to warm up, one has to be properly attired which can feel restrictive at first, and also the cold air tends to dry out the nostrils which feels uncomfortable. Over time, however, most people get used to it.