Cycling in Winter
Tips for Safe Road and Mountainbike Cycling in Winter and Spring
Cycling in snow and sub-zero temperatures? No problem! We will show you how you don't have to give up your favourite sport even in cold temperatures. To make sure it's still fun and that safety isn't compromised, we've put together the most important tips and information for you.
Contents:
- Road and mountain biking in winter: The most important things at a glance
- Road bike or MTB: How can I prepare my bike for winter?
- How do I care for and store my bike in winter?
- What clothes should I wear when cycling in winter?
- Eating and drinking: What should I eat when road and mountain biking in winter?
- Cycling in winter and health: what you need to consider
- Safety when cycling road and mountain bikes in the winter and in snow: Tips for riding technique
Road and mountain biking in winter: The most important things at a glance
With a little preparation and the right clothing, you and your mountain or road bike will get through the winter well. We have summarized the most important points for you at a glance:
- Equipment for the road or MTB bike: winter/studded tyres, lights and mudguards
- Storage of the bike: dry and not too cold
- Care of the bike: clean from snow and salt and regularly oil the chain
- Clothing: winter-proof and light
- Nutrition: lukewarm drinks and snacks rich in carbohydrates
Road bike or MTB: How can I prepare my bike for winter?
Ice and snow can quickly make for subpar trail conditions, especially on roads that are open to the wind. That's why many bike enthusiasts switch to crossbikes or mountain bikes designed for "rough and slippery" surfaces in winter. The forest trail terrain slows speed down naturally, thereby reducing the risk of falling and cold head winds.
If you plan to ride regularly in the snow, you should get a fatbike. This newly developed off-road and expedition bike has extremely thick tires, which allows for easier off-road cycling.
Winter and studded tyres for your road bike
But even occasional cyclists who do not own a mountain bike or fatbike do not have to give up riding if the bike path has not been cleared of snow. Specialized bike shops offers winter and studded tyres for such cases. After the modification, you can ride relatively safely even on ice and snow.
Tip:
Lights
A properly installed light system ensures safety. Your road or MTB bike light should conform to the Road Traffic Licensing Regulation of your area, which usually consists of a front headlight with a white reflector, a rear light and a red reflector plus reflectors in the spokes and on the pedals. Please check what the regulations are in your area.
Also practical are helmet-integrated lights or headlamps, which are not always approved as official bicycle lights by Road Traffic Licensing Regulations, but can be especially helpful on badly lit paths. In road traffic, however, it's better if possible to do without headlamps, because you can dazzle other road users and you may have to pay a fine if stopped by the police.
Good to know:
Mudguards for road and MTB bike
Road bikes and mudguards - they don't go together, do they? Aesthetically, a road bike mudguard may not look nice, but practically it makes sense, especially in winter because mudguards ensure that dirt, water and stones are not flung at the frame of your bike or at you/your clothes. Also snow and thus road salt, which affects the sensitive parts of the wheel, can be effectively be kept away from the frame. Mudguards are a sensible investment, especially in winter, since you can simply pin them to your road or mountain bike.
Mudguards for your road bike
Aerodynamic and lightweight - that's how a road bike should be. For this reason mudguards made out of carbon, plastic or aluminum are suitable. They can be attached, for example, with the help of Velcro or rubber. There are even very small versions that can be flexibly clamped to the saddle frame. When not in use, they can be conveniently folded under the saddle.
Mudguards for your mountain bike
Mudguards which do not get damaged even when covered in sticky mud are most suitable for a mountain bike. Some models have a scraper or a nose at the back, which is used to wipe the dirt off automatically, so that they do not fill up completely with mud. Another model are the Dirtboards. These plastic mudguards are wider and are attached to the saddle post of your MTB.
How do I care for and store my bike in winter?
Whether you park your road bike or mountain bike for a short time or store it for a longer period make sure that it is dry and not too cold. Sheds or cellars, for example, are a option as storage locations. You could also store your racing bike in your apartment for the winter and use it with a roller to continue training. If you want to hang your bike, then only mount wheels with disc brakes horizontally.
Note:
In addition to proper storage, you should take good care of your road bike or mountain bike in winter:
- Check brake pads and air pressure in tyres regularly.
- Clean and oil the chain.
- Remove snow from your bike after each ride, as the salt it contains can cause rust.
After the winter season, it is important to give your bike a spring check and have all functions checked, ideally by a workshop.
More information and tips on proper bike care can be found in our article "Bike cleaning & washing: A How-to Guide".
What clothes should I wear when cycling in winter?
Accoridng to the saying, "There is no such thing as bad weather, there is only bad clothing", you should really consider what you wear when cycling in winter.
Tip:
The layer principle
Dress according to the layer principle and wear many thin layers on top of each other. You should avoid cotton here, because the fabric doesn't dry very well once it has been sweated through. And who likes to be out and about in the winter with wet clothes?
Whoever wears a functional vest, a short sleeve jersey, a long-sleeved jersey and a windproof softshell jacket on top of each other, is well protected against the cold. The layering principle also has the advantage that you can take off layers if you do happen get too warm. Therefore, always make sure to take a small backpack with you in winter. Learn more about the layering principle in the article "Jogging during winter: Tips for healthy running in the cold months".
Cycling in winter: Softshell jackets keep you warm
If you're doing sports outdoors in the cold and snow, you should make sure you're wearing windproof and breathable clothing. The warm softshell jackets from owayo are perfect for biking in the snow. Reflectors on the sleeves make them extra safe!
Trousers, Gloves, etc.
You should avoid wearing long cycling bibs that are not windproofed. Instead combine them with a trousers that has softshell properties and an additional pair of short bibs underneath or a particularly warm full-length winter bib to provide more wind protection.
Softshell underpants worn over normal cycling shorts is an unconventional but effective solution. They are much cheaper than long softshell trousers and should be bought one or two sizes larger so that you can use them as your final layer.
The same applies to gloves: They must also be windproof. Many cyclists even wear motorcycle gloves in winter for added protection. Mittens also provide better protection from the cold. However, mittens restrict the braking sensation, which is why three fingered gloves are also recommended. No matter which option you decide on, the gloves should be well lined.
Warm from head to toe
Insulating and warm insoles or shoe covers help prevent cold feet. Putting a hot pack under your socks can help keep them warm for up to 4 hours.
Your body loses most of its heat through your head, so wearing a skull cap underneath your helmet is essential when riding in cold temperatures. Adjust your helmet so that it doesn’t sit too high on your head and can still protect you in case of an accident.
If it is raining, you can also use a special cover over your helmet. A headband and a face mask provide additional warmth.
To ensure all-round protection from the cold, specialist shops offer special neck scarves made of fleece or merino. These keep your neck and throat comfortably warm. Arm warmers, leg warmers and knee warmers are also popular amongst cyclists.
Eating and drinking: What should I eat when road and mountain biking in winter?
Even in winter you lose water through sweating while cycling. Therefore, it is recommended to take enough to drink with you on every ride on a road or mountain bike. Lukewarm drinks that you can fill into a thermal drinking bottle are suitable for this purpose.
Cycling in winter can be more demanding on your energy reserves, as you have to expend more energy, for example, to ride against the cold wind or to fight your way through snowy trails. Therefore, take energy and carbohydrate-rich snacks along with you for the road.
Cycling in winter and health: what you need to consider
There's nothing wrong with a road bike ride in the winter, as long as you stick to the following tips:
- Do not ride in temperatures below minus 10 degrees Celsius, as cold temperatures can make breathing more difficult and put a strain on the immune system.
- To avoid accidents you should dismount your road bike when it is particularly slippery.
- Breathe properly by inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth when it is extremely cold.
- Take care of your unprotected skin with greasy creams.
Safety when cycling road and mountain bikes in the winter and in snow: Tips for riding technique
Especially in winter, the main thing to remember is safety first! You should adapt not just your clothes, but also your tyres and riding style to the changing weather.
How to Turn while Cycling on Ice and Snow
Immediately as you enter the bend, locate its exit and reduce your speed so as not to slip. Slow down in good time so you don't waste your grip on the braking manoeuvre. You should assume a relaxed posture. It is important to not use or to only sparingly use the front brake.
The technique is practically the same as when on loose gravel: Shift your weight slightly backwards to the outside of the curve and keep your pedal low. This presses the tyres into the snow and gives you added stability.
Your weight should be distributed evenly over both tyres when the centre of gravity is placed over the central bottom bracket. The upper body moves towards the front wheel and the arms are slightly angled.
Build up grip and accelerate slowly
Important:
After having passed the crest of the curve, realign yourself into an upright position. Building the grip up between the tyre and the surface is simply a matter of feeling it. It's best to press the bike firmly on the ground with your arms and legs and steer whenever you feel you are losing grip. Your centre of gravity should be above the nose of the saddle.
After successfully rounding the curve, return to the basic upright cycling position. Accelerate slowly so that your rear tyre does not slip or spin.
We hope we have been able to give you some helpful tips and wish you a warm and safe winter season. You can find more information about cycling in our magazine. Are you missing suitable cycling clothes for the winter? Then vists the owayo shop now and find a suitable design for your winter cycling outfit.
Images: Cover image: ©istock/GibsonPictures, Image 1: ©istock/GibsonPictures, Image 2: ©istock/GibsonPictures, Image 4: ©istock/ivandan