· Put extra clothes on as soon as you start to get cold. Don’t leave it until you are really cold.
· Have your warm clothes in a dry bag at the top of your pack.
· If you are leaving the shelter of the bush & entering more exposed terrain, rug up before you leave the bush.
· It’s harder to keep warm when biking than tramping/running in the cold/wet so take/wear extra/warmer layers.
· Washing Up Gloves are cheap, wind & waterproof. Get a large pair so you can wear your normal gloves underneath. I have used these tramping, kayaking & mountain biking.
· Tuck your gloves into the cuffs of your jacket so the rain doesn’t run off your sleeves into them.
· Hand Warmers: (small air activated disposable heat pads that can be slipped into a glove & can last 8-16hr). Don’t get them wet!
· Waterproof Trousers that have zips up the side enable you to put them on without taking your shoes/boots off.
· Jacket: Seam sealed, waterproof, a heavier Gortex in the winter will keep the wind out & you warmer.
· Eat & drink often. Have food easily accessible.
· Neoprene covers on your bike shoes will help keep the rain & wind out.
· There are Gortex running & mountain bike shoes available.
Example of what I wear and carry on winter training missions:
2 x Thermal Tops
1x Thermal Legs
1x Waterproof Trousers with zips
1x Fleecy Hat
1x Thin Gloves, 1xThick Gloves
1x Wash up Gloves
1xFleece
1x Primaloft Jacket (light synthetic down)
1x Heavy Gortex Jacket
Air activated Hand warmers
Gortex Run Shoes or Gortex MTB shoes
1x Warm Socks