Winter Riding Tips: Women’s Edition

This article was shared by Full Cycle Bikes, and is a good reminder of the many tips of the trade for winter commuting.

Winter commutes can feel incredibly rewarding. Seeing the sun rise by bike is a luxury a select few enjoy and there’s nothing better than arriving home to a nice warm drink, safe in the knowledge you’re staying fit and saving time whilst the rest of the world takes the train. That, and you’ll avoid the lurgies floating around on public transport (and the traffic congestion caused by all those people who just don’t know how to drive in the rain).

Get Yourself Out the Door

The hardest part about riding in poor weather is getting out of the door – but once you’re actually out on the road, it’s never as bad as it looked.

Make the process easier for yourself by ensuring that your bike is ready to go before you head off to bed – lights charged, tyres pumped, computer and saddlebag attached. Lay your kit out so it’s ready, and all you have to do is put it all on and head out.

When you arrive at work you’ll feel so much more awake, and hopefully a lot less stressed, having been in the fresh air rather than sat in traffic or jammed onto public transport getting exposed to everyone’s winter sniffles. Having a nice treat – your favourite coffee or a lovely refueling snack – ready in your desk draw is always a nice motivator, too.”

Keep Yourself Warm and Comfy

It’s hard to keep your attention on the road if you’re cold and wet. The good news is that with the right kit you don’t need to be cold and wet.

If you’re happy going for full on road cycling lycra, then we’d suggest winter tights, overshoes, a base layer, and a jacket like the Castelli Gabba that allows your skin the breathe whilst keeping off the worst of the rain. Gloves that keep your hands warm and therefore mobile are an absolute must – and again we can’t help but name drop Castelli here for their Diluvio gloves. A packable rain jacket is a good idea, too.

Of course, you don’t have to go for full lycra. Waterproof trousers are a great addition that you can usually slip over your normal clothes, and there are some great commuter friendly waterproof jackets. Gloves that keep your hands warm – and therefore functioning normally – are absolutely essential and we know dhb have worked incredibly hard to offer a wide range of options for every condition this year.

A thin hat that goes under your helmet is another useful addition, or you can go for a buff which you can wear over your head, or around your neck, pulling it up over your chin and nose to keep that lovely warm breathe in (though it is pretty to see it set in the air).

Ride with Conditions in Mind

If you were driving down the motorway, and the rain was lashing down and causing huge puddles to form on the road, you’d probably adjust your speed to cater for the increased time it will take to brake. In the fog, you’d probably slow down because you can’t see so far in front of you.

In wet or foggy conditions, you’ll need to adjust your riding. Take it slower, be aware it might take you longer to brake, and give yourself plenty of time to make manoeuvres such as turning in or out of a junction.

Remember that when there are puddles, you can’t always be sure they’re not covering a pot hole – so try to go around them. If there is any danger of ice, it’s really ok to take a day off the bike. If you must ride, avoid country lanes like the plague and stick to roads you know will have been warmed by the cars driving over them, or well treated with grit.

Stay Visible with Lights and Bright Clothing

Dark nights are foggy mornings make for poor visibility. It shouldn’t be your responsibility to light yourself up like a Christmas tree to help out drivers suffering from lapses of concentration. However, the reality is that the brighter you make yourself, the safer you’ll be.

Original article posted on Total Women’s Cycling, here