So you got the message “don’t ride in the mud”. This time of year in Kentucky that leaves freezing temps on cloudy days or post snow events. It may be hard to get motivated when your going to freeze your butt off out there. KyMBA Louisville is going to give the 411 on how we stay comfortable and have fun on cold mornings and freezing nights!

The main thing we have learned over the years riding in the winter is to focus on your extremities. If you protect your feet, hands, and face/ears then you’re all set. Your core and legs will be fine and you don’t need a ton of layers. So focusing on the extremities simplifies what you need to do to stay comfortable. When you’re comfortable on your bike = having fun.

I wear Lake boots in the winter. They are great for protecting your feet. You can ride, hike, and hell I even do trail work sometimes in them. These are pricey but will last forever and are a good investment. Be sure to get a size that’s a little big to give you room for a nice pair of wool cycling socks. I wear a thin synthetic summer sock then a winter sock on top. Slip that combo into a good set of cycling boots and you are all set.

If you plan on riding in the cold routinely, the Lake boots area great option, but if you want to use your current shoes there are options for you as well. Buying a good set of shoe covers can make the the equipment you already have work just fine. The main features to look for are beefy, well constructed toe box and soles. Obviously, the bottom of the booty will take the brunt of the punishment so spend the extra cash to get a cover that will last more than one season. Pearl Izumi, Northwave, and many others make great options, but choose the one that you like, slip them over your current shoes, and get ready to have warm feet. There can be days when the temperature is even too cold for these and an easy way to upgrade their performance is to add a toe warming pad. These usually cost aroud $5 and can keep the misery to a minimum on the coldest of days.

To keep your hands and fingers toasty you need to block the wind. Ski gloves can work well, but are often too thick. This can make braking tricky and also make your hands sweat. If you choose this option, try to find a pair that is thin to avoid the mentioned pitfalls. There are many options in cycling specific gloves, but my favorite are the Pearl Izumi Lobster style gloves. They offer great dexterity and keep you warm, but seem to breathe, allowing sweat to vent. The only downside to this glove/mitten is the fact that if you are an “index finger braker”, it will take a few rides to get used to the change in style they require. SealSkinz gloves also get great reviews and offer the freedom and dexterity of a five finger glove, so check themk out too.

My head is protected with a balaclava. It’s a funny name for something that feels so good on cold days! Wear glasses and a balaclava and your head, neck, and ears can stay comfortable. Some masks, like the Breath XChange hood, offer a good option for those who struggle with the respiratory effects of the cold air. The hood uses a small cartridge to catch the moisture exhaled while breathing to warm and humidify the inhaled air.

For my core I wear bib shorts and leg warmers. Throw on a pair of baggy shorts and you have the bottom half covered. Up top, I wear a synthetic base layer with a cycling jersey over top. Finally a thin jacket blocks the wind. Remember to wear breathable layers, avoid cotton, and you can stay comfortable down into the low teens.

This is what I wear, but realize some folks will want a little more or a little less depending on the intensity and length of the ride. But remember stay focused on the extremities = lot’s of fun riding on those frozen trails!