In Scandinavia, the weather does not spoil the collages for most of the year, it is said there “There is no bad weather, there are only bad clothes.” In Poland, compared to Scandinavian countries, winter is milder. Nevertheless, both in Scandinavia and in Poland, it is not a season conducive to cyclists.

In winter, dusk falls quickly, the temperature can often be negative, and the weather conditions make it difficult to travel by bicycle. However, not one cycling enthusiast does not give up cycling in winter. Modern technologies used in the creation of clothing for cyclists increase the comfort of riding in winter.

Prepare for winter

Many people think it is necessary to dress thickly in winter, but too many layers or too thick clothing can be uncomfortable. Too many layers of clothing can lead to overheating of the body, resulting in the loss of a lot of water from the body. Many layers of clothing increase air resistance, which causes the cyclist’s body to tire faster, In this case, is less more? Are fewer layers of appropriate clothing better than several standard outfits? What outfit to choose for a bike ride depends on the temperature.

Appropriate attire for temperatures of 10 to 0 °C

If it is dry outdoors, i.e. there is no precipitation, and it is cold, then special attention should be focused on appropriate thermal underwear. It is designed to wick away sweat, currently manufacturers make thermal underwear from natural and synthetic fabrics.

Natural fab rics include merino wool. An important property of this fabric is that even when wet it keeps you warm. It is recommended for everyday use, such as bicycle commuting to work.

Synthetic fabricsgenerally available on the market are several. Elastane, polyamide, polyester or nylon or polypropylene are used. Nylon is the first material used, it is durable and dries quickly, wicks away moisture well, and bacteria and fungi do not grow on say, Polypropylene is lightweight and warm, and wicks away moisture well. As for polyamide, it is often used in the production of underwear. This is because it is durable, dries quickly and is resistant to fungal bacteria. Its water absorbency is greater than polyester, but less than cotton. The last material is elastane,it has caused a revolution in the market for thermal clothing. Clothing with the addition of these fibers fits better to the body, and is more stretchy than other synthetic fabrics.

If you have chosen the right thermal underwear for you, you should equip yourself with a winter sports jacket and pants suitable for cycling. If the day is windy you should additionally think about a windproof jacket.

Suitable attire for temperatures of 0 to -10 °C

In situations where the temperature outside drops below zero, appropriate attire becomes more challenging. The outfit described in the section on riding in temperatures above zero should be supplemented with an autumn cycling sweatshirt, which will be worn under the jacket. The sweatshirt should be made of synthetic fabric. It should protect against heat loss from the body.

It should be made of synthetic fibers. This is because it is the outer layer that primarily comes into contact with the outside environment. Its function is to protect against heat loss, wind and sometimes rain. The material from which the outer layer is made is very important. Among other things, this layer is responsible for wicking away sweat. The most recommended material is softshell. Softshell jackets provide thermal comfort, protect from rain. The exact parameters of the clothes depend on the total composition. Softshell is suitable for any athlete, you just need to choose the right type for your needs.

Suitable clothing for temperatures of -10 to -20 °C

Temperatures below -10 °C can be a major challenge for many cyclists. Cycling trips at such low temperatures are not recommended. However, if one undertakes a ride then one should equip oneself with thick thermal underwear, an autumn sweatshirt, a winter jacket and a windbreaker. This kit, however, may not be sufficient. Additional protection should be given to the knees and legs. It is recommended to use cycling shorts and leggings. They are mostly used in the spring and autumn seasons, but in winter they can be treated as additional protection for sensitive areas.

Author Co-authored by iroman – an online sports store with, among other things, bicycle parts, sportswear and nutritional supplements