WE RIDE THE SUN
5 Tips for cycling in the spring
For many cycling enthusiasts, spring is the time to make the first tentative kilometers of the year. The wind through your helmet, the spring sun on your face and enjoying nature along the way, which is slowly awakening from its winter sleep. But everyone knows that in the spring months weather can be very changeable, with you having to deal with showers and even very cold circumstances.
And some days will bring four seasons in one day, with cold mornings that you really need a body or a windbreaker, and a later in afternoon that begs for riding with short sleeves. Cold, wind, sun and rain, you'll have to deal with all of them in the spring. A good basic wardrobe helps you to make the right choices. This way you can handle any type of weather. But how do you choose the right materials and combinations? That's the challenge.
That's why in this blog we give tips to be ready for spring from head to toe!
THE SOLUTION
Where you mainly look for warmth in the winter, in the spring you opt for consciously selected fabrics and materials. In our spring & summer collections for women and men, we often work with fabrics such as merino wool. Merino wool has high breathability. This keeps you cool on hot days and warm on cool days.
In addition to the type of material, pack size also plays a role. You put on or take off various items during the ride. Because the wind dies down or because there is a shower. Clothing such as a rain jacket, body warmer, or arm and leg warmers are compact in size so that they easily fit in your back pocket.
You also see more and more cyclists cycling with frame or handlebar bags. A practical solution during long tours is to store extra items such as your phone, snacks, or bicycle parts.
Do you want to travel carefree during the spring? Then be sure to read the tips below.
Tip 1: PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE SUN
The sun can be surprisingly bright during the spring. On cool mornings and especially on sunny days. Some of our fabrics, therefore, offer UV protection. Never underestimate the power of the sun on hot days. Always apply sunscreen to your uncovered parts of the body. Protect yourself well and choose at least factor 30.
TIP 2: CHOOSE THE RIGHT CYCLING GLASSES
Whether you cycle to work every day or take a recreational ride on the weekend, good cycling glasses are indispensable. Not only do cycling glasses protect against wind, flies, and dust, but you also wear them as protection against harmful UV radiation. When you decide to buy a pair, check whether the model actually offers this protection. Optimal UV protection is provided by glasses that completely filter light down to a wavelength of 400 nanometers. That's the case with all AGU cycling glasses. It is not without reason that Team Visma | Lease a Bike chooses AGU as their glasses partner.
TIP 2: CHOOSE THE RIGHT CYCLING GLASSES
Whether you cycle to work every day or take a recreational ride on the weekend, good cycling glasses are indispensable. Not only do cycling glasses protect against wind, flies, and dust, but you also wear them as protection against harmful UV radiation. When you decide to buy a pair, check whether the model actually offers this protection. Optimal UV protection is provided by glasses that completely filter light down to a wavelength of 400 nanometers. That's the case with all AGU cycling glasses. It is not without reason that Team Visma | Lease a Bike chooses AGU as their glasses partner.
TIP 3: PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE WIND
The wind in spring can still be quite cool. With a strong wind and a sweaty body, you cool down quite a bit. A wind body or wind jacket will help prevent that. When designing wind stoppers, we take into account a compact packing volume. They therefore easily fit in your back pocket.
We have developed the Stormbreaker jacket, especially for days with a lot of wind and rain. The wind and waterproof jacket for stormy days. Extremely suitable for those who brave the infernal weather conditions.
TIP 4: PROTECT YOURSELF FROM RAIN AND COLD
Spring can offer very changeable weather. On colder days, rainshowers not only make you wet but lower the temperature. The combination of sweat and cold outside air is a big challenge. When it rains you will be happy with a waterproof but also highly breathable rain jacket such as our TopDry Raincoat Essential, a real "must-have", also in spring, is an underlayer that also wicks away your moisture well. Does the temperature rise above 15℃ during the day? Then choose a summer shirt such as the Summerday baselayer. It is available in a sleeveless, short and long sleeve version. If the temperatures remain below 15℃, go for the Everyday thermal shirt.
TIP 4: PROTECT YOURSELF FROM RAIN AND COLD
Spring can offer very changeable weather. On colder days, rainshowers not only make you wet but lower the temperature. The combination of sweat and cold outside air is a big challenge. When it rains you will be happy with a waterproof but also highly breathable rain jacket such as our TopDry Raincoat Essential, a real "must-have", also in spring, is an underlayer that also wicks away your moisture well. Does the temperature rise above 15℃ during the day? Then choose a summer shirt such as the Summerday baselayer. It is available in a sleeveless, short and long sleeve version. If the temperatures remain below 15℃, go for the Everyday thermal shirt.
LEGS OR LONG PANTS?
Whether you cycle with leg warmers or rather with long pants, that differs per person. You wear leg pieces under your favorite (bib) shorts, such as the AGU Prime bib shorts, and you can easily take them off during your ride. That makes them the ideal accessory for a spring ride. Long cycling shorts, also called bib tights, are nice when it stays colder. Almost all AGU bibtights are available with and without chamois.
TIP 5: BRING A HANDLEBAR BAG OR FRAME BAG
Arm warmers, a body warmer, a rain jacket, food, and drinks. For a spring ride, you need quite a bit of gear to cycle comfortably. You simply put most material in the back pocket of your cycling jersey, but there is not always enough space for it. Together with Wout van Aert and Robert Gesink, we have developed two practical, compact handlebar bags. That gives you that little bit of extra space. If you are going for an even longer trip, you can expand the handlebar bag with a frame bag.
BONUS TIP: EAT AND DRINK ENOUGH
In addition to the choice of materials, it is wise to take enough food and drink with you during spring rides. Because you will lose liters of moisture. The moisture you need to maintain your body temperature. Always bring two water bottles with you. One bottle with an isotonic drink to compensate for your salts, and the second bottle with water.
Because you burn hundreds of calories while cycling, you need to eat enough to prevent you from developing a glycogen deficiency. That's when you hit that infamous wall of hunger and fatigue. By eating energy bars, bananas, and gels, your body gets new energy. Avoid that feeling of being hungry and snack on time.
BONUS TIP: EAT AND DRINK ENOUGH
In addition to the choice of materials, it is wise to take enough food and drink with you during spring rides. Because you will lose liters of moisture. The moisture you need to maintain your body temperature. Always bring two water bottles with you. One bottle with an isotonic drink to compensate for your salts, and the second bottle with water.
Because you burn hundreds of calories while cycling, you need to eat enough to prevent you from developing a glycogen deficiency. That's when you hit that infamous wall of hunger and fatigue. By eating energy bars, bananas, and gels, your body gets new energy. Avoid that feeling of being hungry and snack on time.
OUR SPRING-SUMMER PRODUCTS
On the road with the right combination
The weather influences vary enormously at the beginning of the year. Before you leave, don the right materials and collect the necessary items so that you are prepared for anything. Finally!
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
Working together with the staff and riders of Team Visma | Lease a Bike is essential to our clothing research and development. Last year, we further refined and optimized the TJV summer gear to maximize performance even on the hottest days.
The riders provide our designers with continuous feedback. Feedback that we use to further refine the materials and processes to make our clothing even more waterproof and windproof, insulating, lighter and more aerodynamic. After extensive testing by the pros, we implement those improvements in our collections. This way you can also perform optimally and enjoy yourself, no matter how hot it is.