Your legs handle the bulk of the work during cycling, so keeping the leg muscles warm is essential to safe riding. Warmth in the legs while cycling reduces the strain on the muscles and joints, decreasing your risk of injury. As the mercury drops on the thermometer, you'll need more layers to keep your legs warm. The layering approach also allows you to take clothing off if your legs become overheated the longer you ride.
Step 1
Wear a pair of knee warmers with your cycling shorts if the temperature reaches 60 F or lower. The knee warmers protect your knees from the cold in moderately cool temperatures when long pants would feel too warm. Cycling knickers, which are pants that cover the knee but don't reach to the ankle, are another option when the temperatures begin to fall.
Step 2
Wear a pair of cycling tights that reach to the ankle if the knickers or knee warmers aren't enough to keep your legs warm. Try riding with longer pants when the temperature drops below 40 F.
Step 3
Add a heavier pair of knee warmers with the cycling tights if necessary. Take the knee warmers off if you get too warm.
Step 4
Layer on a pair of wind-resistant pants over the cycling tights when the temperatures dip below 25 F to 30 F, or if it is a particularly windy and cold day.
Step 5
Add a pair of fleece pants between your cycling tights and outer wind-resistant layer if you are cycling in temperatures below 10 F.
Step 6
Warm up the legs internally by starting slowly in a low gear on your bike. This allows the blood flow and warmth of the muscles to increase gradually for a better performance and reduced injury risk.
Step 7
Remove layers of clothing on the lower half of your body as necessary if your legs become hot.
Things You'll Need
- Knee warmers
- Knickers
- Cycling tights
- Wind-resistant pants
- Fleece pants
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