The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

Quick Take: I have never liked riding a bicycle in cold weather, but staying ready for an early-summer bicycle tour means I cannot simply quit riding all winter. After decades of cycling, I have learned that keeping my ears, fingers, and toes warm makes the biggest difference, and sometimes the smartest winter ride is the one I do indoors. I hate riding in cold weather. Some cyclists seem to love it. They talk about crisp air, quiet roads, and how a freezing morning makes them feel alive. I mostly just feel cold. My toes start complaining, my fingers never seem quite warm enough, and the wind somehow finds the one little opening in whatever I am wearing. If I had my way, I would probably avoid the bike every time the temperature dropped below 40 degrees. The problem is that I usually have an early-summer bicycle tour somewhere on the calendar, and I know from experience that I cannot wait until April or May to start getting ready for it. Those summer miles are built during t...

For years, I’ve trained on the road. Nothing beats the feeling of wind on your face and the hum of your tires on the pavement. But when I was training for my San Diego to Phoenix tour last year, winter hit harder than expected — cold, wet, and relentless. I’m not one to back down from a challenge, but there were simply too many days when riding outside wasn’t safe or feasible. My wife had been using our local gym for a while, but I always saw little reason to join her. After all, I’m addicted to cycling — not treadmills and weight machines. Quick Answer Indoor cycling isn’t just a winter substitute for outdoor riders. A simple indoor bike setup can preserve endurance, improve climbing strength through intervals, and keep your fitness from slipping when weather, injury, or mechanical problems stop outdoor rides. I’m not here to sell you “gym stuff.” I’m here to keep you riding. Below are a few indoor cycling tools I’ve personally used...

Cycling in Cold Weather: How I Keep My Ears, Fingers, and Toes Warm Enough to Ride Last updated: December 21, 2025 Quick Take: Winter cycling doesn’t have to be miserable, but you can’t fake your way through the cold. If you keep your ears, fingers, and toes truly warm, you can keep riding outside far longer than you think. My own must-have setup: a skull cap with glasses holes to block wind around my ears, insulated full-finger gloves or pogies for my hands, and a combo of wool socks plus shoe covers for my feet. I hate cold weather, but I still ride in it unless it gets so brutal that I’m forced inside on an indoor bike. I’m from West Texas, so I can’t pretend to know what real winter feels like compared to those Minnesota riders—those folks are on a different level—but it still gets cold here, and these are the lessons I’ve learned the hard way. After 155,000+ miles over the years, I’ve noticed something: it’s rarely my core that sends me home early o...

Acclimating to Cold Weather Cycling: Why Fall Miles Matter Last updated: October 26, 2025 Quick Take: If you skip those first crisp fall rides, winter will feel brutal. Ride through the cool-down now so your body and mind adapt before real cold hits. Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases—at no extra cost to you. Cold-Weather Starter Kit (Real-World Picks) Thermal Gloves (windproof, grippy) — keeps fingers working without bulk. Browse gloves on Amazon Merino Base Layer (long sleeve) — wicks sweat, stays warm even damp. Men’s options  |  Women’s options Wind/Rain Shell (packable) — vents fast so sweat doesn’t freeze later. Men’s jackets  |  Women’s jackets Shoe Covers / Toe Caps — feet warm = ride lasts longer. See options ...