6cm of snow when we woke up today, so no cycling.
Can you still cycle in winter? Course you can!! (see www.copenhagencyclechic.com/ for the stylish way to do it). Out here in the Peak District it’s a bit different.
For longer rides than a city commute, all your extremities need to stay warm, comfy and wrapped up in lightweight gear. It took me quite a few winters and some right miserable cold days before I worked out the best way to stay warm. Let’s start with heads.
Helmet, buff & headbands
Look no hat! It’s ears that get really, really cold in even the mildest cold weather due to the windchill factor. I’m not a fan of hats when I’m cycling – how do you get the right combination of snug and secure enough not to blow off when speeding downhill, or irritatingly slipping down over your eyes without being too tight? I dunno and I don’t like a hot head. A headband of some kind plus helmet is the winter combination I like best. Both my headbands above, are shaped so they’re wider over the ears for a cosy fit.
My favourite is the purple fleece from North Face, but after many years it’s getting a bit loose.
The black one is lightweight, lovely & snug, with velcro wrap-around closing so you can get just the right fit. It’s made by Parrot, who made good very good quality cycle gear by mail order from Northumberland, but they dont seem to be around now. Just one thing – its got the brand name ‘Parrot’ stamped across the middle of the forehead. I speculate that the designer was a clever but tough Georgie mountain biker that no one would mess with. However, when a red-faced fat girl comes steaming towards you with ‘Parrot’ stamped across her forehead, you’d probably laugh, wouldn’t you? I find this thought a bit off-putting, so only wear it with the helmet on top.
The red thing is a Buff, a stretchy tube that you can pull up and wear as a hat or a headband. I prefer it as a neck warmer, no flapping ends, you can pull it up over your chin in hail and snow. Crucially, it matches my bike!
