It’s not quite winter but it’s already getting chilly. Time to get set up on your bike. We asked Joyce from Cycle Style to give us some tips:
The mornings and nights are getting darker, windier and colder – but that’s not a reason to hibernate with your bike. If Dottie can ride through the frigid Chicago winters, so can we! (This bike blogger is my winter cycling hero, check out her beautiful Flickr stream)
In my view, cycling through winter is the best fun – the air is exhilarating, pedalling warms you up in a jiffy, there are fewer cyclists on the road and let’s face it, winter fashions are more chic. All that incidental exercise also helps keep off the winter weight when you indulge in another helping of molten chocolate pudding.
Here are my top 5 tips for how to cycle your way stylishly through winter:
- Wear layers. The key to stylish winter cycling is to layer up in fabrics that breathe. My favourite base layers are garments made of merino wool and bamboo – they are thin, wick sweat, don’t smell and feel great against the skin. Check out the range from New Zealand’s Icebreaker.
- Accessorise with panache. Scarves and gloves will be your best friend in the cold, as they keep you warm during the initial chill and can be easily taken off on the bike at the lights as you warm up. We stock lovely scarves and gloves by one of Australia’s last remaining knitting factories, Otto & Spike and crochet accessories with knitted with reflective thread handmade by Angelina, the lady cyclist behind CultureCycle. During winter I also wear a lot of tights and leggings under my favourite skirts and dresses as they can give a greater range of movement than pants.
- Be seen. Make sure your lights are working well all the times – my favourites are Knog’s Boomer Rechargeable lights which can be charged with any USB port, so convenient. You can also wear some fun luminescent items for extra visibility – try Pageant Queen Reflective Sash or Disco-bright Reflective Legwarmers.
- Be ready for inclement weather. Drizzle and wind is part of the winter reality, but there are lots of fashionable weatherwear options. Try the raincoat range from Wet and Wendy, the made-for-cyclists trenchcoats by HappyRainyDays, or the waterproof and reflective wool capes from Dashing Tweeds.
Joyce, with her bike
- Keep yourself and your belongings dry. You could put your things in a plastic bag – or you could put them in some oilcloth panniers, or top your basket with a waterproof cover. To keep the cold and wet off your feet, back and bike, I highly recommend installing fenders too.
Happy winter cycling!
Are you ready for cycling in the cold? Anything you’d like to share?
While I have an Icebreaker piece, I cannot go past the merino wool tops and leggings from target. You’ve got to get in early to get your size and they do everything my Icebreaker top does at a fraction of the price. Perfect for riding (I layer mine under dresses for work) and running.
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thanks, my Pappillionaire bike is due to arrive in May…and I was thinking it’s going to be getting cold (but I live in Bris…so I reckon I should be okay!)
LOVE those blue shoes, WANT those blue shoes!
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April 11th, 2012 at 1:08 pm
Selena! Welcome to rising in Zbeisbsne! Winter is the absolute best time to ride here in Brisbane, no mug finest sweating or sudden thunder storms! Look forward to seeing you on the streets!
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Sarah, I like the sexy fashion, and a sexy girl on a bike is worth the chase. I recently bought a light plastic poncho from a $1 dollar shop, not because I’m cheap, it is very light and folds in my pocket when I’m out riding. I was out riding the other day and got caught in one of those seasonal storms and I had the poncho in my pocket, slipped it on and I could go on enjoying the ride.
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April 11th, 2012 at 9:31 pm
Anthony, glad to hear you bought a cheap poncho and relevant to the topic. But you came across as a desperate old Benny Hill by admitting that a ‘sexy girl on a bike is worth the chase’ – not relevant. Perhaps save those type of comment for Ralph magazine.
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April 17th, 2012 at 1:25 pm
You’re coming across as an old prude
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Up until now Sarah – I have enjoyed most of your posts – but this one might as well have a “Multiple Advertising” banner flashing across the top to alert us.
Anthony – girls can be “sexy” without all that ‘fashion’ – and still “worth the chase” although you may need to take your I want a perfect, sexyily dressed fashionista to be worth the chase thinking and stuff it right back in to your pocket along with your $1 poncho.
Honestly girls – what are you riding for – yourself? or to impress someone?
Think carefully before you answer that.
PS: I am a grandmother of 5, married 37 years (to the same man) and recently purchased my no frills bike that also gets me from a to b without the; “raincoat range from Wet and Wendy, the made-for-cyclists trenchcoats by HappyRainyDays, or the waterproof and reflective wool capes from Dashing Tweeds” and I certainly won’t be wearing blue heels.
Bah Humbug.
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April 11th, 2012 at 9:26 pm
PPS and I’m 54 in case you were thinking “she’s past it, bitter and twisted”
Not quite – but I do like to arrive for snorkelling at the Aitutaki Lagoon Resort, Cook Islands with a fabulous hair style from Caterina Di Biase, a good Billabong rashie, in combination with Banana Boat Mineral Protect sunscreen. Oh and I leave the blue heels at home on that occasion for the French Maid to clean. Must stop now!.
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April 11th, 2012 at 9:50 pm
My bike came from the local hard rubbish collection and it’s my pride & joy. Pretty sure most of the time I look like I’ve just rolled out of a Brotherhood bin when out on the road, but doesn’t worry me one bit. As long as the fashion police don’t catch up with me, I’m happy!
Be sure to ring your bell Patrol, if you pass me on the street.
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Hey Sarah, I have been strictly following your eating regime and tonight have just eaten the most amazing Japanese food ever, which I’m sure will tick all the boxes:
Izakaya Den, Basement 114 Russell St, Melbourne
Bit tricky to find, tucked away behind a big black curtain, but so worth the visit.
Back to the topic – love the winter bike gear. My b’friend actually owns a turn of the 20th centuary pennyfathing which has been lovingly parked in our loungeroom for the past 5 years!
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April 13th, 2012 at 6:44 am
Have you been to Maedaya on Bridge rd? Best Japanese in Melbourne by far, coming from someone who has eaten a lot of izakaya in Japan
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Etsy have some really charming knits, I love their winter fashions. Great if you dont actually care about what is “in” right now and just want something cute and hand-made.
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Sarah, when are you heading overseas? Smart move to escape the Australian winter!
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For reasons unbeknownst to me, some people don’t seem to understand that some bike riders get a kick out of feeling gorgeous on their bike and do not just dress to impress others. I for one spend most of my time on my bike at night in the suburbs where I don’t get many onlookers but still enjoy dressing up for the occasion.
There is something amazingly fun about riding in heels, it’s also easier than walking in them! I also get a kick out of others doing the same.
Everyone has their own way of enjoying travelling on two wheels and we should just be pleased that more and more people are discovering this fantastic method of tranport.
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April 29th, 2012 at 8:06 am
I’m with you Bexta. It’s rather uplifting to have a few reliable, snazzy pieces to throw on when dashing from pavement to bike to work to play, as opposed to arriving waterlogged in my Target capri tracksuit pants, ankles blue, wondering where I can hang my layers in the hope they dry out.
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I am wearing skirts and tights on the bike this winter, they are so much more comfy than the skinny jeans I have worn for the past few winters, and I agree that riding in our winter is so much fun, the temps are mostly just right for an exhilarating ride!
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Love it! Though none of them are wearing horrible helmets like we are made to here in Australia… I know it’s for our safety but finding a safe/fashionable one is near impossible!
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April 13th, 2012 at 6:05 pm
Lisa, the helmets are not very attractive, but you could use a bit of female creativity and paint it or decorate it with flowers, material in any way you like.
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Sarah, Thanks for another great post about bikes. We are almost car free – we are in a carshare scheme if we have to use a car but we use our bikes alot. It would be great if you could do a post on baskets and bike bags, to transport food shopping etc.
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I agree with you Sarah—I also find winter cycling very fun! It is also the best time for me to accessorize myself. I usually wear coats and leg warmers. As for the helmets, I found some fashionable ones over at http://www.etsy.com—there are some accessories sellers there that offers cute and customized headgear. I also change some gears in my bike during the winter, for safety reasons of course. I got a hybrid from http://www.bicyclesonline.com.au and I always bring it to maintenance in winter season, just to avoid any accidents.
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I was in Paris eight weeks ago, and though I’m living in Italy I cannot wait to get back there. Cycling in Paris is so sexy. Nobody makes cycling more sexy than the Parisians. If you are going to Paris you should hire the Velib bikes. You can ride around Pari and they are easy to hire, and if you return it to a rack within 30 min it is free. You can ride and see a city you would otherwise miss.
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