My THREE rules to keeping warm during winter riding

Late May and its already feeling like deep winter in Sydney. Some people recently have been asking me what I wear on the bike to stay warm during winter, a simple question with not a simple answer. With a huge range of temperatures in Sydney it can often be hard to dress appropriately for the start of the ride when the end of the ride is going to be much warmer. On the flip side, what if you are doing long descents into valleys which are freezing cold. In this video I go through my top 3 rules on what to wear during the colder months and how to get the most out of your cycling.
The footage from this ride was from last Sunday when we rode to West Head. Epic morning and an awesome group. Full video of the descent with telemetry is available here: • Descending into Sydney...
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[@ssusggus]

I think its important for cyclists to be aware of when its time to take layers off too. I made this mistake literally yesterday on this same ride, however I came back through Akuna anti clockwise. I was struggling to keep my HR down and was exhausted and was so confused, once I took my gilet off I felt so different and no longer exhausted. Over heating plays a big part in riding which I was not really aware of until yesterday. I have only been riding for a year now so this might be an obvious thing but thought its worth sharing. It might also have been that it was my first ride back from being sick.

[@joshkwan]

Great insight and thanks for sharing. I agree, overheating makes me feel cumbersome and sluggish. Especially when my back is too warm and probably sweating too much. Thats why I like wearing easy to take off layers. Can adapt to the environment throughout the ride.

[@Oakpathetics]

I’d try a gilet with a two way zipper.. unzip from the bottom and you have cool air on your belly. It’s really refreshing and a good compromise before completely taking off the gilet. For a new cyclist not wanting to fork out a bunch of money on new kit, keep an eye on fb marketplace. People are always offloading Maap, Attaquer, pedal mafia winter gear (winter jackets/gilets) that are in mint condition, because they got the wrong size or they’re want to refresh the wardrobe 🧐

[@ssusggus]

@@Oakpathetics thanks for the tip! Already got a decent gilet that’s two zip will deffs give this ago! Thank you.

[@NeilLavitt]

Completely agree, had a similar experience in the Pennines, UK. Entered a 350 m, 8% climb in 3 Celsius and became very hot half way. The compromise was to pull down my arm warmers. Looked like a goose!

[@RANDOMDUEDFTW]

Strategic use of an undershirt on colder days help me stretch the use of my summer kit

[@joshkwan]

That’s a great idea. I might do that tomorrow :) get it out of retirement

[@NeilLavitt]

Completely hear you about gilet attire. I have a Le Col gilet that is thick and warm but it rolls too far for stowing. I was taught a trick in the UK though to stow it under my jersey, just below the neck. If works well as long as it’s a tight jersey. I also have a club one that is thinner but not as warm, it also does not breathe as well as the Le Col. People tell me Rapha make the best gilets.

[@joshkwan]

That’s for the comments. Someone also mentioned some jerseys have a mesh back, for ventilation. I will keep an eye out for one like that for my next purchase.

[@Oakpathetics]

I’m liking a gilet with a two way zipper.. open up the bottom and you can dump heat.. access goodies from the back pockets of the jersey. I find a regular jersey provides zero thermal properties (long sleeve or short).. a thermal base layer is a must. In addition to a good quality head warmer, gloves and toe warmers..

[@joshkwan]

I've found the gilets with the two way zip is a game changer. Having it just zipped up at the top works really well too to keep the neck and upper chest warmer. 11 degrees for tomorrow mornings ride :P

[@NeilLavitt]

Interesting, have to look at that. My main worry about the base layer is overheating on big climbs

[@bradgreen5405]

Great videos in general.

[@joshkwan]

Thank you kindly :)

[@hippo71124]

The morning commutes this past week has been pretty chilly for sure!

[@joshkwan]

Getting out of bed is the hardest part haha. But once I'm moving I usually warm up and its okay :)

[@joshkwan]

Also you got your comment in super fast! Thanks :) Gold medal haha

[@hippo71124]

@@joshkwan haha, well not too many things I can win at in terms of speed LOL

[@kxvinxavier]

Absolute pearler! Miss this route and you guys!

[@joshkwan]

Mate, I need to see some of your routes!

[@wilsonrobb10]

Beautiful video. Great music choice to go with the amzing scenes

[@joshkwan]

Thank you mate, loving a bit of relaxed drum and bass right now haha.

[@MarkQueitzsch]

Great timing! Was riding around CP the other day contemplating getting a longsleeve jersey because the shadows were just a little chilly and the brief moments in the sun were nice.

[@joshkwan]

CP is a fe degrees colder than outside the park haha. Defs need a little bit of extra warmth

[@veryboringname.]

Great tips, great views, and chill music which suits the topic I guess! I often put on too-thick a jacket at the start because it's so cold, then when I start riding and warm up it just gets soo hot and clammy. I'd then half-unzip the jacket then it gets cold and clammy. Really gotta start layering properly! Our weather has been cold too... over here 16 degrees is cold!

[@joshkwan]

The views were spectacular that day. You better come to Sydney to experience them! I’ve found it hard to wear a jacket on the bike, maybe in full winter I’ll wear it more. I think I prefer gilet since it folds up easier. Thanks for watching and commenting :)

[@thewattbomber]

I agree with everything you have said. Although I've also found a base layer (singlet style) is probably better than a gilet (although you can't take it off easily). A cycling cap is also nice to wear when it gets really chilly.

[@joshkwan]

I have a base layer, I should get it out of the cupboard!

[@kurtroese7993]

Great timing for this! Very tough to brave the cold especially once it starts getting under 6C. Just ordered a long sleeve jersey but I think gloves and toe covers might be a necessity.

[@joshkwan]

Keeping the extremities warm is the most important I reckon. Your body struggles the hardest to keep these areas warm. My toes defs start to feel numb after a while if it’s too cold.

[@kurtroese7993]

@@joshkwan great tip on the thermal bibs too. Almost purchased some but glad I havent yet

[@joshkwan]

Highly personal, but I’ve found that I rather just use knee/leg warmers.

[@leggodeuces]

I've been contemplating between a long sleeve thermal jersey and winter cycling jacket. Melbourne weather is extremely cold in the mornings and it's making me miss out on riding simply because I don't have a warm enough kit and I hate the cold lol. At the moment I wear a full sleeve thermal base layer, long sleeve jersey on top, neck warmer, gloves, knee warmers and toe covers. But it's just not warm enough especially on the descents and I don't want to exactly spend $300 on a jacket I'll only wear for a few months in the year.

[@joshkwan]

Feel for you mate, everyone feels the cold different and sounds like you’re suffering. Perhaps a gilet on top? Zip it up initially and once you warm up you can unzip. The twin zip ones work well.

[@heykrisg]

Hello from Texas :) Loving the videos, keep it up!

[@joshkwan]

Thank you mate! I will :)

[@DanTuber]

I love my thermal tights. But everyone feels temperatures differently. I once saw a commuter rider wearing only baggy shorts and a t-shirt when it was only 2 degrees. Unbelievable!

[@joshkwan]

Hahaha yea for sure, just like how some people feel the heat much more.

[@IamSaltzz]

Siroko Gilet should suit your requirement

[@arlowatson2299]

its getting cold in Victoria now. Morning ride this morning was -2c and its only getting colder. This video is my sign to move up north

[@joshkwan]

What??! Are you up at elevation? Didn’t realise Victoria could get so cold so early in the year.

[@johnjoyner7439]

Also a neck warmer/buff. I've found are awesome in winter. Pull it up over the chin. Keeps the neck warm. They're cheap and very effective. I've not found gloves warm enough yet. I don’t like my fingers hurting and i end up wearing 2 sets of inners and then a thicker pair... maybe I'm soft.. haha..

[@joshkwan]

Yea neck warmer is the MVP of cold weather. I wear double gloves sometimes too. But means I can’t use my Garmin or phone properly without taking them off.

[@johnjoyner7439]

100% Josh, the MVP. Re the gloves, I have a wahoo that's not touch screen, so I'm all good on that front. And set my phone up so that I use volume buttons to take photos and power button to open in camera mode.

[@zeuszuki6698]

Tinelli do a great gilet, windproof front - mesh back and it has pockets. Rolls up small enough to fit in a jersey pocket. Had mine for years, very durable. -4 and a high of 9 degrees here, winter kit time 😔

[@joshkwan]

Mesh on the back sounds like the go. I had the feeling of all the sweat building up on my back. Need the heat to escape, especially when going up climbs

[@christophershi5605]

Jeez this quality is so juicy

[@joshkwan]

The Insta360 footage is quite good

[@Preset1]

Gloves, big yes.

[@joshkwan]

What brand do you opt for?

[@Preset1]

@@joshkwan PEARL iZUMi. Have only one pair, they were probably the cheapest at the local bike store

[@joshkwan]

@@Preset1 cheap and does the job, can't ask for more than that

[@ItsMaxMann]

Keep the HR up, sit at the front and you’ll always be warm haha

[@joshkwan]

😂😂😂 pace would be too slow for Thomas if I’m on the front

[@ItsMaxMann]

@@joshkwan that’s true Thomas is too fast most of the time 😂

[@midmin3]

Josh, thoughts on base layers?

[@joshkwan]

Hey mate, I one one base layer but I haven’t used it in a long time. People say they’re good for insulation and also wicking away moisture. I will whip it out again this winter and give it another go. I probably prefer gilets since they’re easier to take on and off (also open gilet while riding looks kinda pro) 🤪

[@midmin3]

@@joshkwan can't deny that last point! haha. Chilly mornings, also riding in Sydney, I usually run a base layer with windproof jacket. Usually fine for ~1hr ride but I get sweaty arms inside after some hill efforts. Tossing up between long sleeve base layer for the wicking magic or arm warmers and no jacket to stretch the use of those summer kits!

[@rajones55]

What gloves are those

[@joshkwan]

Attaquer Adventure Gloves (they’re on a massive discount right now from $80 to $20)