Winter Cycling Jacket for Comfortable Rides
In winter your cycling needs are different than they are in summer. First you have to change the wheels on your bikes then you have to make sure that you have the right brakes. Once your bike is sorted and you are ready to hit the road you need to make sure that you are wearing the right gear. A good winter cycling jacket is key to keeping warm and comfortable during your winter bike rides. You winter cycling jacket should be able to handle weather conditions and stay out of the way while you cycle.
Meant for Cycling
You winter cycling jacket should be one that is meant specifically for cycling. Other waterproof jackets may provide you with the warmth you need but can get in the way when you cycle. A jacket meant for cycling will have long sleeves that are comfortable for you to stand up and cycle, the sleeves will be designed in such a way that it is comfortable to do this without any tightness at the shoulders. They also have a section at the back that will cover your butt and help keep mud off your shorts.
The next thing you want to look at is the material your winter cycling jacket is made of. A good winter cycling jacket will have good breathable material that is weather proof. Weatherproof material is very important as winter rides can mean rain and unexpected sleet. You need to be prepared, you winter cycling jacket should be able to keep you warm as well as dry. You may not be able to find completely waterproof jackets but you can find water resistant ones that will do a pretty good job.
Remember that your jacket is not the only thing that you will be wearing. Layering is a very important part of keeping warm during winter bike rides. Keep spare layers in a bag wrapped in plastic just in case you didn’t wear enough layers when you set out. Although important, you should not rely totally on your winter cycling jacket for warmth.
Most good jackets will cost you quite a bit. Don’t skimp and look frothed cheapest one, if you are a serious cyclist then buy something that will last you more than one winter. You will need something that is of good quality as cheap jackets don’t do a good job and protect you like they should. Spend the little money and you will reap the benefits in the long term.
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| cycling
jeff on 24 Apr 2008 at 6:09 am #
Hi. Please join the Bicycle to Work! LinkedIn networking group. Members pledge that they will try to ride their bicycle to work or on an errand at least once a week. Although the benefits should be obvious, let me outline them here.
Right now people in the industrialized world are facing two very grave problems: obesity and a growing scarcity of oil. Compounding this problem is the new food shortage brought about, in part, by the conversion of food cropland to bio-fuel crop production. Most people feel powerless to help, but there is one thing that we can do. Ride our bicycles to work.
If everyone would agree to ride their bikes to work one day per week we could cut oil consumption by as much as 10-15%. No one would argue that riding a bike burns more calories than driving the car. Although popular politically right now, most bio-fuels consume more energy than they produce. We would be much better to eat those bio-crops then use our own energy to transport us around.
So spread the word. Make it a movement! Bicycle to work one day a week and do your part to cut back obesity and the overuse of oil and precious cropland.
Just go to my profile at http://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreylstevenson and you can click on the group to be included. While you are there, don’t forget to ask to link to my network of more than 7,000,000 like-minded professionals. I accept all invitations and look forward to meeting you.
Jeff