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Everything You Need to Ride a Bike in the Rain and Cold

Everything You Need to Ride a Bike in the Rain and Cold

One of the biggest advantages of being a cyclist in Colombia is something that we don't appreciate until we have to ride in its absence: our privileged climate. Living in a country with warm temperatures, chances are that, in most cases, you are used to worrying more about the heat than the cold. But when the clouds cover the sun, and the rain starts to fall, what should you do to continue enjoying your favorite sport during the rainy months?

Fortunately, you have several options to protect yourself from the elements during your rides, from waterproof and thermal clothing, to simulators and tires to train from home when you prefer to avoid the soaking.

To help you choose, no matter if you prefer to drift down the bogged-down mountains or lead your pack on the pavement, we've rounded up the 10 must-have cycling products when riding in the rain or cold!

Shoe Covers

There are few things that will ruin your ride faster than numb fingers. Cycling shoe covers are practically essential when riding in wet weather. Whether you're commuting around town, riding the trail, or more inhospitable trails, liners are a great way to ensure you and your shoes stay warm and dry. Shoe covers will be able to offer you different levels of thermal insulation and water resistance, depending on the level of ventilation you prefer, it is worth checking the thickness of the insulation before buying a set.

Some features you should consider when choosing your covers are whether they include windproof linings, waterproof treatments, optimal operating temperatures, ease of adjustment, and reflective weight and material. Its design features not only ensure your covers will last for many rides, but they will be more effective at blocking out the elements and keeping you safe at the same time.

Base Layers

Base layers by nature are versatile garments, designed to be worn year-round to keep riders comfortably dry, no matter the temperature. Working by trapping a layer of air close to your skin, base layers not only give you extra warmth, but this pocket of air helps wick sweat away from your body, ensuring comfort when the temperature gets extreme.

They are made of breathable fabric that wicks moisture away from the body, as well as providing thermoregulation to keep your body temperature constant. In addition, the quality of its materials means comfort and durability. It is very common for a base layer to last longer than your outer jersey.

The idea is that you can choose your clothing combination based on the weather, with clothing within that range working together to provide you with optimal temperature regulation. However, most brands will offer a base layer to suit a range of temperatures, giving you a versatile garment that will complement your riding kit all year round.

cycling glasses

Good quality sunglasses not only actively protect your eyes from UV rays, but also protect your eyes from wind, rain and airborne particles.

Todo lo que Necesitas para Montar en Bicicleta Bajo la Lluvia y el Frío

Cycling goggles are a step up from your standard fashion sunglasses, they are designed to curve around your head, fit over a helmet and give you extra eye protection, this last point is certainly worth it when riding at high altitudes. speeds.

As many of us who ride in the rain will encounter changeable light conditions, we recommend choosing a pair of goggles with a lighter tint or a photochromic lens. By adjusting the level of tint based on the UV exposure of the lens, photochromic lenses typically have between 30 and 70 percent light transmission. This means they are useful in all but the most obvious conditions like when the sun goes down.

Cyclosimulator

As temperatures drop and the tracks get soaked, it can be hard to work up the courage to face cold, dark and wet mornings. The good news is that technology has seen a huge leap in simulator cycles and linked devices, so you can guarantee yourself a quality training session without leaving your home.

Indoor and roller trainers are no longer just the savior for cyclists who want to keep training during the winter months, they now offer you a fun and interactive environment that is also capable of adding a social component to your digital rides. Available in a variety of categories with a number of resistance methods on offer, there are simulators to suit every rider, from beginner to the most advanced, metrics-obsessed rider.

If you would like to know more about cycling simulators, read our definitive guide on cycling simulators, their categories, and price ranges.

A waterproof jacket

Refresh your motivation and cycling wardrobe with a waterproof jacket or windbreaker. Outdoor garments will focus on water resistance, wind protection and will perform best when worn in their optimum temperature range, which is typically between 0 and 15 degrees Celsius.

The key points when choosing is to look for a completely waterproof jacket that is perfect for when the sky turns grey. Fully sealed from the elements, to protect you from water, mud and grime, and it's also important that it's breathable, ensuring you don't pack on too much heat.

You could also look for a jacket that includes reflective tape and extra length at the back to protect you from road and mountain spray.

Full Finger Gloves

Designed to protect your hands from debris and wind chill, full finger cycling gloves are the crucial detail when it comes to completing your rainy season kit.

For mountain biking, full finger gloves are already the go-to thanks to the extra protection they provide. Since average MTB speeds tend to be lower, you can often get away with regular full-finger mountain bike gloves. But when the temperature really drops, look for insulated models that offer a firm grip on the palms for better handling in boggy conditions.

For road cyclists, it's a completely different story; where average speeds are much higher and wind chill more obvious. Making sure your gloves are warm will go a long way in improving your comfort on the bike.

Considerations to take into account are the thickness or weight of the glove, as well as resistance to wind and rain. Too thick and you'll have reduced dexterity for gear changes, navigating your bike computer, and using your cell phone; too thin and you'll probably feel the cold, so it pays to know where your preferences lie.

Compression and Thermal Garments

The leg warmers are designed to protect your extremities from the icy wind. Usually made from lycra, these pullovers are worn to complement your riding kit when the temperature drops.

To keep you warm on those cooler mornings, it's worth looking into leg warmers that have an insulating lining. These insulated liners are usually made of windproof material and will give you that extra layer of warmth, and some will also feature water resistance in case you get caught in the rain.

As well as expanding the versatility of your cycling kit, another main advantage of legwarmers is that they can be stored in a jersey pocket when you are not using them. Since leg warmers are used on extremely cold days, we usually look for arm and knee warmers first. This is solely due to the ease of taking them off in case things get hot midway through, and their lower price.

Training Tires

Choosing the right tires can do wonders for your riding experience. On a road bike, training tires can improve your comfort, puncture resistance, and traction on wet and bumpy roads. They can also be very durable, lasting months of running without punctures.

On a road bike, the rear tire will generally wear out faster than the front, as the rider's weight is distributed primarily over the rear wheel. Keep an eye out for cuts, scratches, and if the tire profile is no longer round but square.

For mountain bikers, selecting a tire that suits the terrain you'll be facing will go a long way to ensuring your new tires will perform. For wet and boggy conditions, look for tires with taller, evenly set knobs and a softer rubber compound for increased traction and dirt shedding.

Subscription to an Indoor Training App

Aiming to enhance your indoor riding experience, apps like Zwift let you ride with others in a virtual world and can even simulate streams, road surfaces, hills, and descents. If dedicated training programs are what you want, an app like The Sufferfest allows you to be ultra-specific with your sessions and act like you have a real-time coach. Do you want to ride the French Alps or take on the climbs your heroes climb in the Giro d'Italia from the comfort of your home? A program like Road Grand Tours has a lot of real-world locations and terrain to explore.

With an app that typically doesn't exceed $50k a month for a subscription, and with so much variety on offer, it's a small price to pay for solid and rewarding earnings when riding your bike outside doesn't sound as tempting as usual.

We have an article dedicated to comparing the different virtual training platforms if you are interested in diving headfirst into the world of digital cycling.

bicycle lights

Lights aren't just for riding at night when rain clouds your vision. Winter riding makes bike lights an essential component, whatever time of day you're riding. It's important to remember that they're not just for night riding, and anything that helps your visibility in fog or heavy rain is essential.

Look for a light set that's lightweight and powerful, fully USB-chargeable, 100% waterproof, and easy to carry on and off your bike. You'll need a front light that puts out about 200 lumens and a back light on the sides that's 100 and up, which is enough to keep you visible.


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