Cold Weather Riding: It’s All In Your Head
Posted: November 19th, 2008 by Andy Bruno
When the temperature drops and daylight wanes, many riders confine themselves to an indoor trainer or hang up their bikes altogether for the winter months. True, winter riding presents unique challenges, but it also reaps great rewards. Aside from the physical benefits of riding all year long, winter riding opens up a world of opportunities for adventure, fun, and natural beauty. Over the next several weeks, the Dirt Rag staff will share some valuable tips, tricks and experiences to keep you riding this winter.
In this first installment in our series on winter riding, we begin with a single step…outside. The mental decision to brave the elements is often times harder than choosing the appropriate gear for your ride. When you’re warm and cozy inside your bed/house/car, the prospect of getting all geared up and facing physical discomfort in the form of cold, ice, snow, and/or rain doesn’t seem like it would be all that much fun. Indeed, often times the first 15 minutes of a winter ride are uncomfortable, but after a good warm-up the fun begins.
I know this fact well, but on some foul weather mornings I still find myself rationalizing about why I’d rather drive to work or skip the trail ride and stay at home and drink coffee. The reason? Inertia or resistance to change your state of comfort. On one hand, you’re warm and dry. On the other, you choose to exchange those luxuries to be cold and wet. When I think about it, I know I will be happier if I ride no matter what the weather. But the mental and physical preparation for the ride often times seems insurmountable. Obviously they’re not, and what it comes down to is that you just have to push on through and get on your bike. Below are a few tips that make it a little easier for me to get moving during the winter months.
- If you know you’re riding in the morning, get up a little earlier than usual so that you can fully wake up and get your body physically and mentally prepared.
- Before a ride, I try and warm up a little inside before leaving the house. Not so much that I break a sweat. Something as simple as climbing up and down the steps a few times or doing a few push-ups or sit-ups to increase my heart rate is all that it takes.
- Get enough sleep the night before a ride. This is sound advice all year long, but it’s especially important in the low-motivation months of winter.
- The more you ride during the winter, the easier it is to get motivated to ride. Again, this is true all year long, but more pronounced in winter.
- Get your bike and gear ready to go the night before you ride. Riding in the winter takes a little more preparation, so it’s best not to leave it until the last minute. That only gives you an excuse not to ride.
Once you get outside, your comfort level on the bike is critical so that you actually stay on your bike and enjoy the ride. The right gear can make that happen. Tune in next week to learn a little about foul-weather footwear. It’s always good to keep the piggies happy.
November 19th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Hey, sweet. I look forward to reading this series. I’m a dedicated winter biker, but happy to learn tips on how to make it better. Low-cost gear options always appreciated.
November 19th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
I’m planning on commuting throughout the cold winter months here in North Central Wisconsin. I’ve already started and I have to admit, it hasn’t been too bad…yet. I look forward and will happily accept any suggestions to make my winter commutes as comfortable as possible.
Thanks, CK
November 22nd, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Funny I come across this while surfing. You see, I’ve spent the last few weeks getting up most days thinking that, today I think I’ll head out on the bike, only to bag it after feeling the cold weather outside when letting my dog out. Instead, I opt to spend my days admist the friendly warm confines of my home, constantly moving like a Great White Shark in search of food throughout my kitchen or any place where my wife hides it.
Reading your post makes me feel that tomorrow, I will suit up regardless of weather conditions, and head out for a ride.
November 23rd, 2008 at 3:08 pm
I just moved down from Fairbanks to Seattle. Winter ridding there started over two months ago.
Few tips:
1) If you ridding bellow freezing for most of the winter it would be a good idea to replace the grease in all your serviceable bearings with a cold weather grease (I use Mag 1)
2) Pogies are your best friend. They keep your hands toasty and free.
3) Hitting the snowy trails for fun? Get a wide tire (I ride Snow Cat). Commuting on the icy roads? Studded tires are for you (I ride Nokian studded).
November 23rd, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Winter in the NW is way different than winter back in Michigan where I’m from, but one thing remains the same - it’s all about the wool!
In addition to wool shirts, keep the ears warm with a headband. They fit under helmets better than full knit hats, and you can use a cycling cap in addition.
For commuting, keeping dry is key if you don’t change clothes but for longer winter rides, I don’t fight the wet too much, except I prefer to try and keep my hands dry with waterproof shells from OR. Carry a rain jacket for downpours, but mostly, just ride out the rain. The good thing here is that when it gets fairly cold - mid-thirties - it tends not to rain. Then a wind vest over a wool jersey is a perfect combo.
One thing about winter riding that is just like summer riding though, is that a beer is awfully tasty when you’re done!
Cheers,
Harth
www.wabiwoolens.com
November 23rd, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Gore Tex shell, pants and light weight trail boots; windproof gloves; wool in layers (consider wool thrift store sweaters) all wool best!; Headland Snap in front fender; flat aluminum pedals; rear rack with a Headland trunk for essentials; lights fore and aft. IRC Blizzard tires 40 psi; Nashbar self sealing tubes. Forget the weight issues these will keep the fun rolling and don’t forget to hydrate.
All have remained essentials for NE Ohio winters.
November 23rd, 2008 at 9:36 pm
It is more fun riding in the winter - no bugs to harass you, you can see where the trail is winding off to, and you don’t sweat to death. As long as you ride, you stay warm. I have a good set of lights to keep me out a little longer with the shorter days. The payoff is great.
November 28th, 2008 at 11:54 am
I ride my mtb all year round. Living in northern Ohio, winter is forever changing weather. you do have to make some changes to your bike habits for winter riding and add a few more minutes to your ride, but its not all that hard.
November 29th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
thanks for putting this out ,now hope fully i wont freeze my fellas off !
December 3rd, 2008 at 8:02 am
[…] note: For more valuable tips, be sure to check out Part I and Part II of our Cold Weather Riding […]
December 17th, 2008 at 8:45 am
[…] a link dump for those of you who missed the prior installments in our Cold Weather Riding series: part 1, part 2, part 3, part […]
December 29th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
I love the cold. You can ride hard for hours with out feeling like your gonna pass out from over heating. The mud and snow just make the ride that much more entertaining. And my dog loves it too. He doesn’t need to carry so much water in his pack, he just eats the snow or dirnks out of the puddles on the trails.