Dan Casey

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Lots of cyclists cringe at the prospect of peddling in the cold. But you can be comfortable and warm if you dress properly, and you can ride safely under nearly any road conditions if you follow a few simple rules.

Here are some tips that will keep you on the road throughout the winter:

Wear layers

The advantage to layering is that you can take off or put on clothes depending on whether you're hot or cold. In 30-degree weather, for instance, I wear two long sleeve jerseys and carry a hooded windbreaker in my bike's seat bag. On long and slow climbs, I take off one of the jerseys. It goes back on when I get to the top. The windbreaker is added insurance in case temperatures drop or it starts raining or snowing.

Wear the right kind of clothes

Heavyweight nylon/spandex cycling tights will keep your legs warm and dry. The materials you wear on your upper body can make the difference between cold comfort. Avoid wearing cotton as an inside layer next to your skin. It soaks up perspiration and holds onto it, so you'll freeze on long downhills or in a stiff wind. You're better off with a fabric that wicks the moisture away from your body and dries as you move through the air. Wool is a good one, although it tends to be itchy. Synthetic materials designed for winter outdoor sports are even better. They're available in many catalogs or at bike and outdoors shops.

Those pesky extremities

The goal is to keep the wind off your fingers, ears and toes. Cover your ears with a winter sports band. They're available in any outdoors store, and fit well under most helmets. Choose layered gloves. My personal choice is an inexpensive pair of Thinsulates.

Toes can be a problem. The best solution I've found is Foot Warmers. These are one-use paper packets the contain a mixture of iron filings and other substances. When exposed to air, they heat up. They're just the right size to slip into the front of a shoe, and will keep your toes toasty for up to six hours. You can buy three pairs at Wal-Mart for $2.

The roads

I'd be the first to admit that ice- and snow-covered roads are less than ideal. But if you ride regularly in the winter, you're going to encounter slick patches. You can handle these if you're prepared. First, watch the road carefully for ice and snow. Slow down (or stop) before you get there. Then proceed slowly across it. The same rules for skiing on ice apply to biking: don't try to turn or stop. Just head over it in a straight line and you'll be OK.

Before you ride, you should also check the pressure in your tires. Cold weather usually lowers it. Inflate them to the manufacturer's recommended level.