Winter-Proofing Your Workout: Cold Weather Cycling Gear

Giordana's toasty warm thermal cycling jersey.

This fall in the great northeast has been about 10 degrees warmer than normal. Still, those days are numbered as we move into winter. Now in previous years, I've been out riding on exceptionally warm days in both December and even January but those were rare occasions. If the cold weather has already locked you in, here's some ideas on getting out on the bike despite the cold.

Change up your cycling kit for a warm winter ride!

Choose Breathable Layers
You may want to switch out cotton for wool, silk or even synthetic base-layers next to the skin. This is because cotton gets wet from sweat and stays damp, chilling your core.  I like ultra thin silk underwear under my thermal jersey and a wool blend base-layer for especially cold days. Super Natural makes almost sheer, wool/polyester blend base-layers that are soft and very light against the skin. Even when you sweat, wool wicks it away while keeping you comfortable. See these warm under pieces at Super Natural online.

Wool-Polyester base layers are best at keeping you both warm and dry.

Bottoms Up-Thermal Cycling Bib Tights
I usually don't use base-layers on my lower extremities because my legs are doing the work during the ride. This allows me to get away with either thermal tights or even better, thermal bib-tights. Giordana Women's Thermal Bib Tights are made in Italy have a soft, brushed fleece lining. The fact that the bib-tights come up higher and cover more of your back make them a perfect cold weather companion. Whatever jersey you put on top, your backside will thank you for protecting it from the wind. Visit GiordanaCycling.com for both men & women's cold weather cycle-wear.  

Giordana Thermal Bib Tights

Keeping Your Head (Warm)
Let's face it. About 90% of your body's heat is lost from the head and neck area. If you have a vented cycling helmet, you can get a stretchy cover to go over top. This way you don't have to be uncomfortable trying to fit a beanie underneath. If it is exceptionally cold, I like to wear a very thin Gore-Tex Windstopper Balaclava which works under most bike helmets and covers both your head AND neck.

Gore-Tex Windstopper Balaclava

Additionally you can keep your ears warm while reducing wind noise with Cat Ears ear covers. These really work well on the road and keep your ears covered with a soft fleecy material. Simple but effective.

Cat Ears, ear covers.

Keeping Your Hands Warm
As soon as it gets around 50 degrees, I switch from no-finger to full fingered cycling gloves. I prefer leather palmed cycling gloves as the suede patches seem to grip better and insulate against road vibration. Giro Sport Designs makes full fingered leather cycling gloves in eye-catchy patterns that help keep you visible in traffic. Some people also like split mittens but I find them to be a little too bulky for steering and shifting. 

Giro Full Fingered Leather Cycling Gloves

Bring Along Something Warm to Drink
Rather than take along the standard issue frozen water bottle, you can think outside the cup and bring a thermos of something warm to drink. I've taken along hot cocoa, tea, coffee...whatever, just as long as it wasn't a chilled beverage. You can still bring along some water but having a thermos of something warm will help heat you from the inside out!

I pack some hot cocoa in my bottle cage. Here it's getting refilled!

Thermal Cycling Jerseys vs Jackets
I generally will prefer wearing a thermal cycling jersey with a light base-layer in temps of 50 degrees and below. However if there is precipitation like rain or snow, I will wear a breathable yet waterproof cycling jacket. I especially like the Portland Women's Jacket from Showers Pass. It is fully lined with a drop down extension for extra coverage in the rain/snow. Has stealthy zip pits and is fashionable enough to stop for a latte. I've worn this jacket in the rain and was fully comfortable. Check it out at Showers Pass online.

My Showers Pass Portland Jacket after a good soaking.

The Wrap
El Nino is giving us a temperate break so far but don't count on it lasting forever.  If you are like me and want to extend your cycling season, you may want to consider adding these pieces to your cycling wardrobe. I ride for both sport and transportation so the pieces should transition smoothly for you to be able to run errands without screaming "Spandex".  Really there's no need for that with cycle wear that is fashionable, contemporary and multi-functional.  Keep in mind that many of the tops, gloves and Balaclava can also be worn for other outdoor activities such as running/walking so it's a good investment if you like to workout, outside.

Try not to be this poor guy this winter.

Cold and Wet Weather Bike Wear: Giordana's Roubaix Bib Tights and Silverline Long Sleeved Jersey

Dressing for a northeastern winter ride. Giordana thermal bib tights.

Winters are somewhat of a brutal affair here in the NYC/Metro area. Add in a bit of precipitation like snow and you have a valid reason to park your bike and stay home. All the same, if you're like me, you LIKE to ride and if I'm dressed right, I don't mind the cold weather. That's why I was so interested in trying a pair of bib tights this year. Yes, I have the usual thermal cycling tights with the built in chamois but after trying Giordana's Gita Women's Bib Shorts (Road ID), two years ago, well let's say I'm a bit spoiled! You can read my review of these phenomenal bib shorts HERE.  I also wore a full Giordana FR Carbon Kit for my first Rapha Women's 100 Sportive. So let's start with the Silverline Long Sleeved Jersey which completes this cold weather cycling kit.

Silverline Long Sleeved Jersey and Roubaix Bib Tights

Silverline Women's Long Sleeved Jersey
I have a few thermal cycling jerseys but some of them are a bit too thick and do not give the freedom of movement I'm looking for. They also don't allow moisture to wick away as well as they should. The Silverline Women's Long Sleeved Jersey features ERG200, which is a new moisture transferring winter fabric. The inside of the jersey is SO soft due in part to the brushed inner surface which effectively traps warm air next to your skin. The full zip front offers a taller collar for extra insulation. There is reflective piping down the back and three open rear pockets which are easy to access.

Bottom hem of the Silverline has a gripper band.

The bottom of the Silverline has a gripper band which helps keep the jersey down when you are in the drops. The overall styling and accents on this women's cycling jersey are incredible. One of my favorite features in a cycling jersey is a zippered rear pouch which the Silverline does not have. This is a minor gripe as the rear pouches are very easy to get at. 
I was out in the rain in it today and it was extremely comfortable to wear, keeping me quite dry. However for a major downpour I would wear something more water repellent as this jersey's forte is primarily beating the cold. It's a tricky trade off because you will often sweat more in a completely waterproof cycling jacket/jersey. The Silverline Jersey seems to offer a happy medium between the two. This jersey has their patented WCF (Women's Contour Fit) so it is very aerodynamic. Made in Italy. 

Gore Bike Wear's Countdown Windstopper Lady Vest

You can also top this jersey off with a windproof shell like this Countdown Windstopper Lady Vest from Gore Bike Wear. Once you heat up, take it off and stuff it in your jersey's rear open pouch. Works great for road work when you are expending a lot of heat and energy.

Giordana FRC Roubaix Bib Tights

Giordana FRC Roubaix Bib Tights
This is my first pair of bib tights but as I mentioned before, I've already had the pleasure of wearing Giordana's Bib Shorts with their uniquely comfortable chamois system. The W Cirro Omni Form Insert is included in Giordana's top of the line tights/bib shorts as it offers varying thickness throughout the chamois. Aloe Vera is permanently incorporated into the upper most layer of the pad which helps head off chaffing before it happens. The chamois has a second layer of memory foam with a waffled texture which aids in aeration.

Aqua Zero Seat Panel 
This is the area of your tights that is usually the "receiving end" for rain and puddle splash ups. Giordana has thought of this with their Aqua Zero Seat Panel treatment which make the tights quite water resistant.

Giordana Jersey and Bib Tights drying after being in the rain.

Fit and Feel
The inside of these Italian made bib tights are soft brushed like the Silverline Jersey so they are a dream to wear. Even the straps have the same brushed softness detail. I'm a size 6 so that corresponds to a Medium in these bib tights. While getting into some of my bibs requires using a shoe horn, I found that these weren't that much of a struggle. The ankles have reflective zippers which makes them even easier to get on and off. They are very lightweight yet warm for very cold days on the road. The black fabric has a UPF of 50+ blocking out 98% of UV radiation. 

Giordana Roubaix Bib Tights in the rain

The coldest I've ridden was about 28 degrees. When you factor in windchill, the skin feel is going to be even frostier, like 5-10 degrees colder. This winter kit would be ideal for about 35- 40+ degrees. If I need extra warmth due to wind, I would add a cycling vest and/or thin Merino Wool base layer like this Outdoor 160 Shirt by Bluey Australia. Wool is naturally wicking and so would work well with the Silverline Jersey's moisture managing fabric. 
I did an 8 mile ride in 41 degree weather with substantial wind and was comfortable with the Silverline Long Sleeved Jersey, a wool base layer and Windstopper Vest (shown above). I did have to stop halfway and take off the vest but overall I was very comfortable!

Bluey Australia's Outdoor 160 Merino Wool Baselayer

These pieces are really a necessity if you plan to ride this winter. It can be raw and foreboding out there and being exposed to the elements is no ride in the park. Bib Tights also prevent wind from blowing up your back and chilling your core.

Riding in this kit in sunny but windy 41 degree weather.

A cold weather cycling kit like this from Giordana can be the difference between enjoying the road vs freezing to the pavement. See all of the current Giordana cycle wear at GiordanaUSA.com or GitaBike

Don't let this be YOU this winter.