Biking into the Cooler Parts of the Year

attempt to take exquisite care of myself when the weather is cold. I stay protected from the vagaries of negative temperature, and forgo one of my favorite activities, cycling, if the weather does not allow me to do it safely or in relative comfort.

I really respect people that are willing to ride a bike or run outdoors even in sub-freezing temperatures, and since I was not always so cautious, I've assembled a list of  tips to stay warm while cycling or running in the winter cold.

If you don't feel like reading any more, the primary message is to bundle up and stay safe.
I recommend using either a scarf, wrapped around the face and neck, or a ski mask when you are going to be moving through the air at speed. I can routinely end up going 20 miles per hour downhill on my bicycle, and it can be torturous to have that kind of a temperature buffeting your face at 20 mph plus or minus normal wind speed.

I would continue to recommend a helmet for safety, but paired with a knit cap underneath for warmth. I would also recommend glasses to protect from road grit and snow, with an option of going for full ski  goggles for added visibility.
Considering that I often ride in the early morning or at night, investing in goggles without tint is a good idea.

I normally found that if my clothes were sturdy enough to keep in the heat, I could work hard enough to stay warm. I would wear fabrics that acted to break wind, and consider layering if necessary to keep my arms and legs warm, and my chest covered.

Last but not least, the hands. If you're running, then your hands will be fine in mittens of any kind really. But when cycling, it is often hard to decide how to stay warm. Mittens are usually warmer than gloves, but gloves leave your fingers room to work the controls. When I was out and about, I would usually use work gloves, that I bought specifically to be bicycle gloves. With padding, full coverage past the wrist and enough traction to manipulate controls, this was a good setup for me.

Even with all of these tips and tricks, I would usually quit riding soon after the first snow of the year, and start back up in the warmth of the spring.