What to wear when cycling in winter?
L'hiver à vélo, beaucoup de cyclistes le redoute. Pourtant, avec un peu de préparation, il devient facile de l'affronter ! On vous explique comment.
In winter, it's cold (and on a bike, it's worse)
Biking in winter can seem insurmountable. On average, it is 5.4°C on French territory between December and February. Although positive, this figure can easily become an ordeal when cycling. Frozen fingers, red noses, sore toes: the pain of the uninformed cyclist gets worse every time the temperature drops. When temperatures drop below zero, many people abandon their bikes for the warmth of public transport or their cars. However, there are simple solutions to combat the cold. Between good equipment and little tricks, we have filled you in on tips to face the winter!
Special winter gear from head to bike
The winning strategy of "layers"
It's a piece of advice that can't be repeated enough: rather than opting for one very warm garment, it's better to favour different layers. Indeed, with only one "big coat" you will lose mobility, and above all, you risk overheating and sweating. Cycling in the cold, you want to be warm!
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The ideal outfit in our opinion? A technical garment (clinging to the body) to keep you warm and prevent the icy wind from seeping under your clothes. Add a light top, a jumper, and finally, a jacket (or even a lightweight sleeveless down jacket, to keep your upper body mobile). You will be at the TOP, thanks to an optimal management of the perspiration and a good maintenance of your body heat. This outfit also allows you to limit the temperature shock on arrival. You know, that feeling of being very hot once you get inside (and that makes you sweat a lot as a result). In short, it's all good. If you haven't already opted for this winning combination, trust us, it will change your life.
The essentials: a good pair of gloves
Do your fingers often tend to freeze when you ride your bike unprotected and it's cold? Ours do too. In addition to being unpleasant, it can even be a safety hazard as it becomes more difficult to brake. To avoid paralysis, a pair of gloves is essential!
Some models are more suitable for low temperatures than others. While all of them offer significant comfort, it's best to opt for a waterproof pair. Nothing is worse than riding with wet gloves! Some models, made of wool for example, will become damp if you sweat too much and give you the opposite effect of what you want.
We can recommend two models: the first one from the brand Vaude which will provide you, in addition to warmth maintenance and good visibility, very good waterproofing. These gloves will protect you down to -5°C without difficulty.
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The second model from the Tucano Urbano brand promises elegance and comfort while ensuring perfect waterproofing thanks to its overgloves.
Our secret tip: you can also opt for mittens! They keep your fingers warm even better. Canadians have already adopted them! (Well, we don't have any in our catalogue... You are allowed to go and see elsewhere ... For this time !)
A second layer with shoe covers and sleeves
Sometimes putting on gloves and shoes is not enough to adequately protect your hands and feet. When it's polar cold and you're on a bike, it's important to turn to the right gear.
This is the case, for example, with overshoes that not only protect your shoes from mud and rain, but also keep the wind out and your toes safe!
You can also invest in muffs, for example those from Tucano Urbano, to protect your fingers. The thick, waterproof sleeves usually attach to the handlebars of your bike so that you can slip your hands in and still have direct access to the brakes. With these, you'll say goodbye to sore, frozen hands!
A cap to end frozen ears
When we ride our bikes in winter and temperatures drop, our ears are often the first to suffer. The solution? A headband that protects your ears, or a cap. We advise you to favour warm and breathable materials, the top being merino.
We can recommend our beanie from the brand Weathergoods Sweden which allows you to mix comfort and safety. The advantage? It's very thin and can also be worn under your helmet if needed.
Biking in winter isn't just about braving the cold...
... But also the storm. Easy with a poncho or rain cape!
If on a rainy day, the use of cycle paths drops by 20 to 35%, it may be the fault of inappropriate weather gear. There's an old (and perhaps not so old) adage that when cycling "there's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes".
But then, what is good clothing in the rain? If you ask us, it's clothing that doesn't require a choice between aesthetics and practicality. There are waterproof garments for all tastes and all types of rain, from the lightest to the heaviest, each with its own qualities. Often, better waterproofing means less breathability. Opting for a garment with maximum waterproofness is therefore of little use for urban travel, as your sweat will soak you instead of the rain. So it's important to choose the right balance.
Some products allow this compromise very well. This is particularly true of rain jackets, which provide protection for your clothes while offering you elegance and style on your two wheels. There's something for every taste and style: from the sharp colours of the Le Temps Des Grenouilles brand to the reinforced waterproofing of the Weathergoods Sweden brand.
With this, your outfits stay dry and you're no longer afraid to go outside when three drops fall. Plus, your skin breathes and you arrive at work glowing!
Lastly, let's remember that the likelihood of cycling in the rain during the year is actually quite low. According to the Météo France study you only get wet once every 24 trips in the south, and every 18 trips in Paris.
Well, you now know everything you need to ride serenely in winter, and never leave your bike again!
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le 18/02/2021
