We ride all weather

Saddling up and getting out on the bike doesn’t need to be reserved for the fair-weather months only. Truth is, winter cycling can be amazing, just as long as you’re fully prepared and ready for the elements! 

Whether you’re tackling a sub-zero suburban commute or embarking on an icy micro-adventure out of the city, it’s all super doable and can all be super rewarding in its own way. Just don't forget your gloves!

We’ve outlined some tips, tricks and watchouts to keep your winter riding pointing in the right direction. While even keeping a smile on your face while you’re out there.

How to dress for winter cycling success

Insta-worthy sunrises. Quiet streets. The bike lane all to yourself. Riding through the winter months has so much going for it. Even persevering through wind, sleet and snow can make for a magical experience on two wheels.

And as the saying goes, there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes. So, with that in mind, dressing to stay warm and dry whatever the weather throws your way is definitely the best approach.

Gloves that keep your hands warm and fingers able to feel the brake levers are a must. While wearing waterproof gear with added insulation can make the worst weather imaginable actually kinda fun.

Most urban bikes come fitted with decent fenders and mudguards as standard. If yours isn’t already fitted with them however, there are great add-on options available that clip onto your frame for the winter months. Take our word, once you’ve ridden through rain and puddles with fenders fitted, you’ll wonder how you ever survived without them. 

It’s not just your legs and behind that will be glad to stay drier. Other riders around you will also be grateful for less spray being thrown up from your bike into their faces. So fenders are a winter win-win for everyone.

Visibly better: Winter cycling safety tips

You can’t assume you’ve been seen by other road users. On cold winter mornings for example, a lot of drivers are still peering through misted up windows and windscreens or dealing with the glare of a low winter sun. So even if you’ve seen their signal light indicating their turn, they might not have seen you.

LIGHTS
Making sure the lights on your e-bike are working properly is essential. This is partly why Cannondale e-bikes come equipped with automatic lights, ensuring you’re always lit-up for darker rides or when the weather takes an unexpected turn.

The best kind of bike lights should illuminate you as well as the road ahead. Position yours so that they give you a good vision of what’s ahead of you on the road or bike path. Extra, flashing lights can be useful to ensure that you’re more visible too. Just be mindful of others out there on the road as these can also be distracting or dazzling.

CLOTHING
Wearing dark clothes at this time of year is a no-no. It’s so important to make sure everyone can see you on the road. As the light decreases, so does your visibly in traffic. Meaning it's time to increase your visibility. The more fluro or neon, the better! Garish for a reason; they absorb light just like any other colored garment but then transform infrared and ultraviolet waves from the spectrum, emitting them again and making them at least twice as visible as other colored clothing.

Meanwhile, if your outer garments have reflective sections built into them, all the better. As you move, they reflect light from streetlamps and car headlights, turning you into your own in-motion light source. Hi-vis, stand-out, ride on!

Better when we’re together

At darker times of the year, a group of cyclists is always going to be more visible than a lone, solo rider. So if you’re heading out on a mini adventure to leave the city behind, consider bringing some ride buddies along.

Not only will you make yourselves more visible when riding on any roads, but you’ll also make the adventure more rewarding and the coffee stops more fun. You'll also double the number of spare tubes and tools you might need if anyone happens to suffer a mechanical problem or a flat tire.

Positive Bike-minded Attitude

The idea of riding in winter weather is always so much worse than actually getting out there and doing it. So, approaching this time of year with the right mindset can make all the difference. Five or ten minutes into any ride and you’ll realize it’s not all that bad after all. And you’re even glad to be out there in whatever Mother Nature’s serving up today.

So zip up, layer up, and embrace the elements. Making the most of two-wheeled transport really can be a year-round part of everyday life.

Check out Cannondale’s range of ready-for-anything e-bikes and start getting into a mid-winter mindset yourself. You’ll be so glad you did.

See you out there!

The Cannondale App is your one-stop partner for all things bike and ride-related. Whether it’s goal setting, ride tracking or e-bike system monitoring you’ve got in mind, it’s the only app you need to keep things moving in the right direction.

If you’re looking to unlock a smarter relationship with your e-bike, download it today and see where your riding can take you to next!