With the longer nights and darker mornings approaching commuters who cycle need to be prepared in order to stay safe.
To ensure a seamless transition in to winter there are a number of top tips to ensure safe cycling to work and training continues. It’s easy to put these tasks off and try to ‘wing’ it but is it really worth taking risks and chances with your safety? Some choose to stop cycling to work in the winter altogether however, even a week off the bike can cause a drop on motivation and its harder to get back on the saddle after a break. When your mind is telling you to give up and it becomes harder to bring yourself out of bed it is even more crucial to continue momentum.
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Don’t give up
Riding to and from work is a great way to incorporate exercise and training into your lifestyle. The need to get to a certain place increases motivation and makes people less likely to mill around. Riding in the winter can be just as easy in the summer with a few alterations to wardrobe, bike and most importantly, mindset.
The first and probably hardest step is brining yourself to get up and out the door. Put on the right clothing for the weather conditions and get out there! Once you start hesitating in the mild and wet weather of autumn it will be even harder to keep going in winter. Checking the weather forecast the night before your commute helps you prepare the relevant clothing ready for the morning so you save time and are prepared. If you are anxious about the cost of winter gear, don’t be. It can be as cheap or as expensive as you want.
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Layer up
With budget friendly brands such as Decathlon and Wiggle offering great value pieces at lower prices there’s no excuse to give up.
Don’t go out and buy everything you see straight away. Do some research on what you will really need, this can depend on how long your commute will be and the area or environments which you cover. A good midlayer is always recommended to prevent you from overheated and sweating profusely. Too many non ‘breathable’ fabrics can leave you even colder as sweat will chill on descents. Layering is still a popular way of keeping warm and controlling temperature as thin layers can be removed and tucked easily into back packs when needed.
When winter is as its harshest mid weight layers can be covered with a heavy duty waterproof and wind proof jacket and most brands will list their temperature ranges for each item so you can work out which garment will be the best for you.
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Lighten up
Whether you’re going to recycle old lights or buy new ones, now’s the time to do it. Don’t leave it too late and risk riding without the correct lighting as the dark mornings and nights are drawing in fast! There are thousands of options online with a variety of beam patterns, battery life and lumens so have a little research and find whats best for you. The two main categories that lights are split in to are ‘lights to be seen by’ and ‘lights to be seen with ‘If you’re riding for a long time on well lit roads or housing estates then a long battery life is the most important feature where as if you’re riding down dark and winding country lanes you need a bright light. This is where you might want to spend a little more money and get a heavy duty light with remote battery packs. They will appear as bright as a vehicle headlamp so drivers will give you a wide berth.
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Clean up and bulk up
To save yourself and riders behind you from getting wet and muddy, add some mudguards to your bike. Brands such as ‘Ass Savers’ offer simple guards that are ideal for a short commute and to switch between bikes. However, if you’re looking for something to last for the whole of winter and on longer rides you might want to invest in some heavier duty ones.
Another idea to consider is getting a beefier winter bike. Cycling to work on your best bike all year can mean exposing it to the elements and caked in mud but a dedicated winter bike that is built with durability and heavy duty tyres means you’re less likely to be worried about going through puddles and muddy patches. If you do choose to ride your regular bike through winter make sure you have a back up kit with you. This includes a puncture repair kit and spare clothes. If you do have a puncture and end up having to repair it whilst it’s pouring down with rain you’ll need a spare outfit to wear on the way home. No one likes putting a soggy kit back on!