This is the third in a three-part series on winter biking. This Tuesday we’ll discuss how to dress for fat biking, while peddling in cold weather.
Learn How to Dress for Fat Biking
Getting your layers right for snow biking is key to enjoying your day. If you get too cold, you may not be motivated to ride in the snow again. In general, you want to be as warm as possible for the descents and shed layers for the climbs. That means you’ll need to stop at the top and bottom of climbs/descents to get layers in and out of your pack. It takes a little extra time, but will go a long way in helping you enjoy the fat biking experience.
Snow biking weather is typically cold; however, that doesn’t mean you should wear your ski bibs to ride. For winter biking, you should dress like you would for Nordic skiing or alpine touring. Think layers! As a general rule, wear enough to be a little cold when you start riding. Even when it’s freezing, your body will generate a lot of heat within a few minutes.
Start with a moisture-wicking base layer next to your skin (merino wool and synthetics like capilene are good options). However, my favorite is the Patagonia Capilene Air. It dries quicker than any other material I’ve used due to the texture of the material. It also continues to insulate you even when you are sweaty and no other fabric truly does that. I prefer the crew neck most of the time because I want to control the temperature of my neck. Alternatively, If I am downhill skiing and my main objective is to be as warm as possible, then I would opt for the Capilene Air Hoody. Keep in mind the number of layers you are wearing that have a hood, because too many layers of hoods can also be claustrophobic.
Carry a puffy or fleece mid-layer, and wear a windbreaker or light ski shell for the chillier, downhill sections of the ride.
For the lower portion of your body, wear standard bike shorts with weather-resistant or winter-cycling-specific tights.
Breathable gloves or liners will generally be sufficient for climbing, but you’ll likely want an insulated glove (or lobster-style cycling gloves) for the ride down. Make sure your gloves allow you to brake and shift effectively!
Many winter bikers wear an insulated neck gaiter, cap or ear band beneath their regular biking helmet. Some riders wear ski or snowboarding helmets for winter riding, but keep in mind that they are much warmer than regular helmets.
Wool hiking or skiing socks and water-resistant hiking boots are good options for your feet. Before I purchased my heated socks (which infinitely improved my entire experience of winter!) my winning combo was Sorels with disposable charcoal toe heaters. Gaiters will keep your feet dryer and warmer. For very cold riding, consider investing Bar Mitts for your hands, and shoe covers for your feet.