Tips that will make cycling more enjoyable in the winter.
Clothing
- Wear thermal socks and waterproof shoes or overshoes – this will help keep your feet warm and dry.
- Wear a thick pair of gloves this will protect your hands, just make sure you can still brake, change gear and grip your handlebars safely with the gloves.
- Wear a warm hat to keep your head warm – if riding into icy winds make sure you have a windstopper and a cycling balaclava.
- If rain is forecast take waterproof clothes with you – quality water proof gloves, trousers, hat and jacket will keep you dry.
- Wear lots of thin layers to keep yourself warm – so if you get hot and sweaty you can always remove a layer.
- Wear hi vis clothing – it gets dark early in the winter so be prepared for cycling in the dark.
Your bike
- Have lights on the front and back of your bike – you may need to use them in gloomy conditions
- Keep your bike in top condition, this will lengthen its life and prevent breakdown – give your bike a rinse after use to remove the salt and grit especially from the chain, gears, brakes and wheel rims. Dry the bike and oil the chain and gears.
- Fit winter road tyres they are harder wearing and have a degree of puncture protection.
- Inflate the tyres a little less than in summer, this will improve their grip in slippery conditions.
- Mudguards will stop spray and mud being kicked into your face and back.
- Pedals become slippery in the winter – use clip-on pedals, pedals with extra grip or toe clips.
- Be sure to have a puncture repair kit with you – wet road conditions make it more likely for your tire to get a puncture.
On your ride
- Drink regularly – you may not notice that you are sweating under all that clothing.
- Leave extra time for your body to warm up and consider that you must cycle slower in wet and snowy conditions.
- Stay in the centre of the lane – there can be frozen puddles in the gutter. Avoid leaves, manhole covers and ruts in the road as they can all be unexpectedly slippery.
- On snow – brake often to clear the rims, braking can take up to six times longer when the rims are wet. Bikes with disk brakes will offer better breaking in snow and wet conditions.
- On Ice – If you encounter ice, steer straight, don’t pedal – try not to brake as this could cause you to skid and fall.
- In poor weather, make sure you wear a helmet.
- Very bad conditions when conditions are too dangerous just put the bike away and use the bus or the train.