Ride into the wind on the way out and with the wind at your back on the way home. The wind will help propel you when you're tired at the end of the workout and won't be blowing into your face when you're likely to be sweaty.

Keep your head and neck warm. You can lose up to 40 percent of your body heat from your head and neck if they're not properly protected, so wear a knit cap under your helmet. The best kind are those that convert into face masks and can extend down to your neck. If you're riding into the wind, pull the cap down over your face for extra protection. And it goes without saying that you should wear a helmet, which will keep your head somewhat protected from the wind.

Avoid hypothermia, one of the most common and serious cold-weather health risks. To prevent the body's core temperature from dropping, keep moving and keep the wind to your back. As soon as the ride is over, come in out of the cold, take a warm shower and put on dry clothes.

Replace your clipless pedals with standard pedals and add extra-large Power Grips straps to them so you can wear hiking or lightweight winter boots when you ride.

Use a CamelBak hydration system for carrying your water or sports drink. Remember to wear your back-mounted hydration under your jacket so the water doesn't freeze.

Wear mittens, not gloves. They're much warmer for the simple reason that they trap all of the hand's warmth in a single compartment. Wear a pair of full-fingered thin-liner gloves underneath your mittens to promote extra warmth. If you like to have greater finger mobility for shifting or breaking, try wearing a pair of lobster-style gloves while cycling, such as the Pearl Izumi amFib Lobster Glove or the Yoko 214 Artic Mitt.

Exercise during midday. The sunlight will help you stay warm, and it will be easier for you to watch the surfaces you're riding on for snow, ice or puddles.

Tell yourself that you're tough. It may be easier to stay indoors riding the rollers and watching an old movie or football game. But if you embrace winter for its beauty, you may find it to be the most enjoyable season of all for cycling.

Bookmark:

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed