When you go for a bike ride in the middle of the colder months, you can be sure you’ll end up with frostbite or something of the sort. Temperature isn’t an issue when it comes to having true dedication to the sport that is cycling. However, it can’t be denied that winter biking is going to be a lot harder than you think, even in a relatively warm country.

Just as winter biking may seem like a daunting task, it can also be one of the more fun things to do. Of course, summer riding can’t be matched by any other. Winter cycling does have some pretty cool perks though, not the least of which is the ability to cycle harder because the cold weather means you aren’t as sweaty.

The air also feels a lot fresher in the winter than in the dusty, sunny and warmer months. Here are a few tips to making sure you can cycle in the winter without coming out on the other end like a human Popsicle. A real cycling enthusiast out there will be packing a custom cycling kit for every month of the year.

Clothes

This is by far the most obvious way in which you can enjoy a winter of cycling a little bit more. You have to pick the right clothes for the weather. There is a ton of windproof, heat-insulating and waterproof clothing and accessories out there that can keep you high, dry and toasty warm throughout the season.

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While it can be a little expensive when you buy a winter kit for your cycling needs, it is definitely worth it. You don’t have to buy the clothes specifically for the winter either. Instead, you could use strategic layering of your clothes to ensure that you can adapt to a whole range of varying temperatures.

Of course, it can be quite tempting to buy the thickest, warmest clothes in the store to fight off the frost. The problem is that thicker materials make you sweat underneath because of the high insulation. This can make you feel weird and sticky on the inside.

Punctures

Never leave your tube and pump behind when going for a ride in the winter. The roads are wetter, and there can be all sorts of debris on them you won’t see in the summer. Sometimes even fragments of ice can pierce your inner tube if they are sharp enough. There are also nails, broken glass and sharp rocks to worry about.

Food and water

One of the most important things when preparing for a ride in the winter is that you eat more and drink more than any other time of the year. This is because the frosty air is thinner and will make you more tired faster. You will also have to keep your body’s energy as high as you can. A great way to do this is to take some energy bars along for the ride as well for an extra boost during your tour.

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There are a ton of other things that you need to sort out when you are getting ready for some cold weather biking. Some of these are only learned through experience, so make sure you get a lot of that! Stay warm, hydrated and very healthy.