A few weeks back we started our Winter Riding Guide and showed some tips and tricks on how to prepare you

r bike. Today let’s look at how to prepare yourself when it comes to riding in the cold.

Layer Up

The key to riding in cold weather is layers. It’s always nice to have that extra layer to put on if you get chilled or a few layers levitra online pharmacy to shed if you get too warm. A jacket over a shirt may feel good when you step out the door, but if you start getting too hot while riding there’s not much you can do to make incremental changes in your body temperature.

Less is More

If the temperature is at 20 degrees don’t dress like it’s 20 degrees. Once you hop on your bike your body is going to start generating its own heat pretty fast. If you are overdressed and sweating you’ll find yourself uncomfortably cold as your body starts cooling down. Wear a layer or two less than you would if you weren’t riding, once you start spinning and your body

heats up you should become more comfortable.

Layer Types

Good base layers will help keep you warm and dry. Wool or a poly-blend will wick moisture as opposed to cotton which will absorb it. An effective outer layer has both wind resistant panels and waterproofing, without being bulky. Shell jackets will usually do the job. The amount of layers you need between those two will depend on how cold it is. A wool jersey is a great middle layer and won’t add a lot of weight.

Hands and Feet

Your hands and feet will be the first to feel the effects of winter. When the cold sets in try switching to wool socks. They lock in the warmth while still letting your feet breathe to minimize sweating. Shoe covers are a good addition if it is really cold or when riding on wet roads. For your hands a good set of gloves goes  a long way. Thin gloves will give your hands good mobility and keep the wind off. Lobster gloves are great when the temperatures really drop. They give you the warmth of mittens with added mobility to reach your brake levers.

Other Protection

Your legs are doing all the work so make sure to keep them warm. Waterproof pants will keep you dry when your tires kick up snow and slush while windproof panels help keep you warm. A beard only provides so much protection so a balaclava is a great choice if you need to keep your face and ears warm. Every rider is different so it may take a few rides to figure out what works best for you.