Winter Cycling Tips: Staying Safe and Warm

Winter cycling. For most cyclists, those two words don’t exactly conjure up feelings of warmth and joy. It’s a ‘needs must’ situation for many cyclists determined to keep training even when the temperature drops — but the truth is cycling in the winter offers its own unique charms. 

Whether you’re winter riding out of necessity or because you want to challenge yourself, one thing remains the same: the need to stay safe and warm. We cover the best ways to do that below, with tips on how to layer efficiently, varying up your riding style and more… 

Why do people cycle in the winter?

The simple answer: because they have to. 

While not everyone has to cycle during the colder months, dedicated cyclists who don’t want to miss out on training adapt to winter riding. Many cyclists actually value the added level of challenge, and the unique environmental changes winter brings. 

There’s something uniquely resilience-building about heading out before the sun has risen, braving the cold and battling against conditions like snow, rain and sleet. Whether you’re training for a race, commuting for work, or simply enjoy a winter ride, cycling during this season demands a specific approach. 

And the most important part? The right clothing. 

Why wearing the right clothes for winter cycling is essential

A key part of making sure your winter cycling goes smoothly is purchasing and wearing the right gear. Cold temperatures, wind, rain and snow can take a serious toll on your body (and affect performance, which is equally important to devout cyclists) if you aren’t dressed properly. 

Here’s why wearing the right clothing for winter cycling is non-negotiable: 

• Thermal protection: winter cycling exposes you to cold temperatures, sometimes for extended periods. This puts a strain on the body as it has to work harder to heat up. Inadequate clothing can lead to discomfort, affected performance or even hypothermia.

• Condition resistance: harsh conditions — whether it’s biting wind, rain or snow — can make cycling much trickier. Proper gear acts as a shield, protecting you from the elements, so you can stay warm, safe, and effective on the road. 

• Added visibility: with fewer hours of daylight during winter, visibility is a major safety concern. Reduced light conditions make it harder for drivers and fellow cyclists to eyeball you. Wearing high-visibility clothing, reflective gear and sources of light ensures you can be seen by others on the road during those twilight hours. 

Tips for staying safe and warm when winter cycling

We’ve established that selecting the right clothing is key when it comes to staying safe and warm in the colder months. Below we’ll give you some actionable tips on how to do just that, from layering to reflective accessories and what to wear to keep your fingers and toes warm. 

• Layering is key: layering your clothing correctly traps body heat, ensuring you can stay warm without overheating. For a well-insulated base, something made from Merino wool works well. A thermal fleece can serve as a great mid-layer, and a gilet or something with breathable fabric is ideal for the outer layer.

• Specialised material: if you’re expecting seriously adverse conditions, good quality windproof or waterproof jackets for an outer layer can provide excellent protection. 

• Stay reflective: ideally, you’ll want to purchase clothing that has some natural reflectivity baked in. Even if your gear does have that property, you’ll still want to invest in some accessories like arm/leg bands and reflective tape on your bike. Additionally, bike lights are crucial for visibility in low-light conditions. 

• Protect your extremities: cold extremities left untreated can quickly ruin your ride, and even cause lasting damage in extreme cases. Insulated gloves and waterproof shoe covers can help keep your feet and hands warm, and a thermal helmet liner or balaclava can help safeguard your face and neck. 

It’s not just clothing — change up your riding style, too

One lesser-known tip for staying safe during winter cycling doesn’t involve clothing at all. During the winter season, your riding environment changes, and it’s important that you change with it. 

Here are a few tips for adjusting your cycling for winter conditions: 

• Slow it down: while the temptation to absolutely pelt it is always there for most cyclists, it’s important to fight against those base instincts and ride slow and steady when winter cycling. 

• Proactive gear-switching: changing gears suddenly can cause additional strain and may lead to more sudden lurches, so as a rule of thumb, it’s better to shift early rather than late. 

• Avoid puddles: no puddle splashing for you. Puddles can sometimes hide patches of ice that, if hit unexpectedly, can result in sudden skids and a loss of control. 

Final tip for winter cycling: embrace the cold, and the adversity

It’s not just about the right clothing and correct technique when it comes to safely practicing winter cycling. Mindset is important, too; you can be totally clued up and have the perfect winter gear, but it’s all for nought if you don’t end up getting out there in the first place. 

We won’t sugarcoat it — winter cycling can be hard, it can be arduous, it can be unpleasant. But that’s precisely why it can be so valuable. When you’re used to performing in adverse conditions, performing on a sunny, breezy day feels like a cakewalk. 

In short, winter cycling can make you a better, more resilient rider. 

Winter cycling: stay safe and warm with the right gear and the right mindset

Staying safe and warm when cycling isn’t that hard when you know what to wear and how to alter your technique. It’s mostly about being smart with your clothing choices, and being extra careful when it comes to putting tyre on the road. 

The main thing to take away from this blog post is that you can mitigate all the cold weather nastiness with the right combination of clothing and technique. But embracing the challenge transforms winter cycling from something to endure into something to relish. 

Hopefully our tips have given you some confidence when it comes to cycling in the colder months. If you also want a primer on how to battle wind when cycling training, we have just the blog for you.