As conditions outside turn ever more frosty and wet, many of us casual cyclists may have a reluctance to ride. Fear not, by taking your training indoors, even if it’s just short, frequent sessions, you can remain fit before getting back outdoors ready to greet spring in all its glory. Although turbo training can’t replicate a 60-mile hilly epic, systems like Zwift and smart trainers do at least go some way to keeping indoor riding enjoyable.
You can certainly increase this enjoyment by donning the correct clothing. Sure, while anyone can cycle indoors with just a pair of bib shorts and some cycling shoes, there are certain clothing options that will increase your performance and prevent you from becoming a sweaty mess on the bike. Here is a selection of Specialized items that can help you stay comfortable these next couple of months.
This may seem counter intuitive when you’re on your way to your spare room, garage, shed, basement or wherever else your indoor trainer is set up, but when it’s freezing cold, you should start in a jacket. You will want to start warm to avoid beginning your training with cold, tight muscles, so pull on any outside clothing you deem necessary that you can easily strip off after five minutes.
Once you’ve ditched the top layer, it’s all about wicking away sweat. This means wearing an item of clothing that pulls moisture away from your body and through the fabric so that it can evaporate and keep you cool. Outdoors, this happens naturally, but once you take your riding indoors, you can quickly become too sweaty and overheat. So a combination of a base layer and a stationary fan is your best bet. Believe it or not, wearing one of these base layers is better than wearing nothing at all because it will wick that sweat so it doesn’t clog up your pores. An added benefit to a base layer is that some are so lightweight that you’ll hardly notice you’re wearing it.
Alternatively, if you want a jersey that you can wear indoors as well as on the road in hot summer conditions, opting for a super-lightweight mesh jersey will have a similar effect to a sweat-wicking base layer.
Although it may be tempting to reach for a tatty old pair of shorts for use on the turbo, this can quickly create all sorts of bother. Indoors, you are in the saddle far more than you otherwise would be, so it’s really important to wear quality shorts. Allowing your chamois area to get hot and damp and then applying the pressure of the saddle is just asking for saddle sores. Shorts that wick sweat and offer ample padding is what you’re looking for. Body Geometry chamois are found in many Specialized shorts and offer a full spectrum of support so that areas do not get worn down and create an environment for discomfort.
One of the great appeals of indoor training during the winter months is that you don’t have to layer up or even wear a helmet. We would advise sticking a cap on though. Working in much the same way as the shorts and base layer, these will absorb the moisture from your scalp, stop your head from overheating and keep your hair tucked away during the workout. You will look cool too.
Even though your bike is stationary and not being battered by the winter road grime, it is still important to keep your bike lubricated and clean. Hot, sticky conditions and salty sweat can still corrode your bike’s frame and components, so although you won’t be going anywhere in the traditional sense, it’s still key to keep an eye on your bike.
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Making indoor training comfortable with these kit items will greatly increase the attractiveness of your pain cave, and level up the effectiveness of your training in the process. To find out more about the kit mentioned in this article, come down to one of our stores, and try it out for yourself. Speak to one of our friendly staff members and get started on your indoor cycling journey.
