3 Tips For Safely Cycling In Cold Weather

If you love cycling, you likely don’t want to stop riding just because the weather gets cold. But while you might feel just as confident on your bike in the winter as you are in the summer, there are other things to consider so that you can be safe on your bike and avoid any run-ins with other vehicles.

To help you see how this can be done, here are three tips for safely cycling in cold weather.

Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated

Without properly inflated tires, you won’t be able to maneuver your bike as well on winter roads, which can put you and others in danger. Knowing this, you should do your best to ensure that your tires are always properly inflated before you go for a ride. And since cold weather can reduce the air pressure in your tires, it’s best to check the tire pressure prior to each winter ride.

To ensure that you’re able to get the proper tire pressure each time you go out to ride, consider buying a pressure gauge and a small air pump that you can carry with you on your rides. Having these items will also make it easier to change your tire if you wind up getting a puncture on the rough winter roads.

Be Prepared For The Elements

In winter, the weather can be all over the place. In some areas, snow and ice might be common. In other areas, rain and wind can be the norm. So depending on where you live and what the conditions are like there in the winter, you’ll want to be prepared to take on the elements when you’re cycling.

If you’re planning on using your bike to get from one place to another, you may want to have mudguards installed for winter riding, as the rain and snow can whip up a lot of dirt and grime onto you and your bike while you’re riding. And since the winter elements can be particularly harsh, you might want to consider using an older bike rather than your favorite bike so that it doesn’t get ruined with winter riding.

Wear The Right Clothes

With the colder temperatures of winter, you’ll want to make sure that you’re wearing the right clothes when riding. Otherwise, you could wind up being very cold and uncomfortable during your rides.

Ideally, you should try to wear insulated gloves and some kind of face mask to keep your hands and face warm against that cold winter breeze. You’ll also want to make sure that you protect your chest from getting too cold, since your heart and lungs are where you’re going to get your strength and endurance while cycling.

If you’re determined to keep cycling during the winter months, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you do so safely and comfortably.