The days are shorter, the evenings are darker, and the temperature is colder, which only means one thing: winter is well and truly here. However, this doesn’t mean you have to put your bike away for a few months; cycling in the winter can in fact be just as fun as cycling in the summer. You just need to take a few precautions first.

To help ensure you enjoy safe riding in the chillier climate, the team here at Tru-Tension have put together our top 6 tips for cycling in the winter.

Winter Cycling Clothing

Wearing the appropriate clothing whilst cycling in the winter is a must. This is crucial for both comfort and safety.

If you don’t already own any, purchase base layers with wicking fabric, breathable microfleeces, waterproof jackets and thermal tights. All outer layers should contain reflective/high-vis elements too in order to ensure you’re visible to other road users.

Although it can be tempting, we’d recommend that you avoid excessively layering up with thick jumpers and fleeces as this will inevitably cause you to overheat and sweat more, thus making you feel wet and cold. However, by wearing multiple thin layers, you can take things on and off as necessary.

Other items of clothing to consider include –

  • Socks – cycling-specific socks that factor in breathability, insulation and moisture management are advised.
  • Gloves – wearing a pair of winter cycling gloves will help to keep your hands warm whilst also enabling you to grip your handlebars, brake and change gear.
  • Shoes – ensuring you own a high-quality pair of waterproof cycling shoes is essential for the wet conditions.
  • Hat – not essential, but a hat or headband can help prevent your ears from becoming uncomfortably cold.
  • Snood – again, not essential, but a lot of cyclists opt to wear a snood, especially when riding into headwinds.
  • Glasses – cycling glasses are ideal for keeping spray and grit out of your eyes.

Remember Your Lights

It’s absolutely critical that you utilise a good set of bike lights as the nights draw in. It can get very dark very early during the winter months, so to make sure you can be seen by drivers and pedestrians, check that your lights – on both the front and rear of your bike – are working correctly before every ride.

Invest in Mudguards

Mudguards are simply a must-have for winter cycling. By mounting them on your bike, you’ll significantly reduce the amount of water, spray and dirt that will kick up into your face and back during your ride. This helps to keep you comfortable and contributes to an overall more pleasant experience.

If you’re riding in a group, mudguards will also be of benefit to the person riding behind you as they won’t be hit in the face with a jet of dirty water!

Regularly Clean & Maintain Your Bike

The winter conditions can be harsh on your bike, so it’s important that you’re regularly checking over it to make sure everything is working as it should be.

For instance, a whole lot of salt, grit and muck will build up on your bike’s parts whilst riding on dirty, slushy roads, and if this isn’t treated, can cause corrosion or damage over time. As soon as you finish each ride, we advise giving your bike a quick clean with a dedicated bicycle cleaner to ensure all accumulated grime is lifted and removed.

We also recommend that you’re regularly applying lube to your chain. Without the chain, your bike can’t move, so be sure to show it some TLC. The BananaSlip All Weather Lube, for example, is a high-quality lube used by cyclists all over the world and is perfect for riding in any weather.

Be Careful

Whenever you’re heading out for a ride in hazardous conditions, take extra care and avoid putting yourself at risk. You may encounter rain, wind, ice, or snow, all of which can make cycling from A to B a little more tricky than usual, so be careful and stay in control of your bike at all times.

If the weather really is awful and unsafe, only go out on your bike if absolutely essential.

Bicycle Maintenance with Tru-Tension

We hope this short guide has provided you with some useful tips and ideas to bear in mind when it comes to cycling in the winter.

If you are looking for innovative and reliable bicycle tools to ensure your bike is in tip-top condition, be sure to take a look at our range of tools on offer here at Tru-Tension. From lubricants to brake cleaners, we stock a wide range of bicycle products allowing you to get more out of your bike.

See more: Basic Bicycle Maintenance Tips for Beginners

See more: What are the Best Bicycle Cleaning Products?