The Gear: Winter riding hacks
Posted By Gravel Union
On 18 December 2019
Luis Fraile winter hacks
Moisture and cold sweat on the skin are our enemy. The best insulator is air: do not wear tight clothes, let your blood circulation work warm a thin layer of air next to your skin. The most important thing is to keep your extremities warm – hands, head, feet – keep all of these covered with windproof and insulating layers.
If you plan a long day riding, keep a dry extra first layer on your pocket or backpack, so you can change during the coffee stop and avoid starting again with cold sweaty clothing.
In cold and long rides, my Garmin battery does not last enough, so I have permanently connected an extra battery.
Do not go hungry: the sensation of hunger will multiply the sensation of cold by the low intake of calories
David Campbell winter hacks:
Living in Germany means we have lovely cold winters, so this is my suggestion:
Before I slip into my winter boots, I put some self-made (thanks to my wife) pocket warmers filled with cherry pips for 30 seconds in the microwave and then into my boots. This warms up the boots nicely. I found before that your feet get cold quickly trying to warm-up the boots whilst riding. So, pre-warmed boots and merino wool socks are my top tip.
Philip Ruijs winter hacks:
I use a different clothing system depending on how cold it is:
Temperature down to roughly 5 degrees C:
- First layer - Warm undershirt - splendid moisture transfer from body.
- Second layer - A windproof short sleeve jersey
- Third Layer - Deep winter bibs tights. Or a wind/waterproof bib short with water-repellent leg and arm warmers.
- Warm and windproof gloves.
Temperatures below 5 degrees C:
- 4 Seasons Jacket and bib tights.
- First layer a long sleeves shirt from the football section in Decathlon. Really perfect!
- Second layer a long sleeve spring/fall/winter jersey
- Third layer - Deep winter bibs or waterproof long leg trousers with a fleece lined trouser underneath. Going to test bib tights under the waterproof long trouser
Alexander Bethge winter hacks:
Our recipe is pretty simple. Gather some friends, set up a CX course, beat yourself and your beloved ones up for 45 minutes. And finally drink some spiced wine punch afterwards which keeps warm on a fire during the race.
Keeps you definitely warm. Keeps you in shape. No need for ultra-warming equipment – you burn from inside!