Cold Weather

Colorado can provide challenging conditions for biking through much of the school year. But as the saying goes: There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. Below are some tips and recommendations to help you and your students get through the chillier rides.

• Let a little air out of your tires to increase the contact area with the pavement.

• Clean your bike and ensure all moving parts are in good working order before the weather gets cold.

• Layers are critical for getting through a chilly morning ride, a day in class, and a sunny ride back home.

• Windbreakers and thin waterproof garments make for a fantastic outer layer. They can be worn over normal school clothes and whatever additional warm layers might be needed on a given day.

• A thin skull-cap under your helmet will reduce heat loss.

• For particularly chilly (or windy) days, a neck gaiter/balaclava and/or ski goggles can help protect your face.

• For that matter, most of what you wear skiing is likely worth considering for cold weather biking!

• Bar Mitts! Handy, neoprene covers for your handlebars keep the wind and chill off your fingers.

• Chilly: biking gloves. Cold: snow gloves. Freezing: lobster claw (3-finger) gloves.

• Be sure to test any gloves to ensure you can safely operate your bike: shifters and brakes in particular.

• Warm socks inside hiking boots or snow boots will keep your feet toasty.

Some layers to consider as the temperature drops:

• 50s: Windbreaker and biking gloves.

• 40s: Windbreaker, hoodie, and biking gloves.

• 30s: Windbreaker, hoodie, thermal shirt, thermal pants, biking gloves, bar mitts, skull cap, hiking boots.

• 20s: Windbreaker, hoodie, heavy thermal shirt, thermal pants, snow gloves, bar mitts, skull cap, neck gaiter/balaclava, hiking boots.

• 10s and below: Windbreaker, hoodie, heavy thermal shirt, thermal shirt, thermal pants, thermal leggings, lobster claw gloves, bar mitts, skull cap, neck gaiter/balaclava, ski goggles, hiking boots, extra socks.

If you have any other tips or gear recommendations for cold weather cycling, please pass them along to our bike bus coordinator.