5 Top Tips For Winter Cycling
Now that winter has most definitely reared its ugly head, its time for some advice on keeping safe and on your bike come snow, ice, or whatever the weather gods are going to throw at us. Unfortunately it is all too common for normally ultra-keen cyclists to suddenly decamp back to the car at this time of year, leaving their poor pride and joy lonely and unloved in the damp of the garage for a few months. It doesn't have to be this way - and we aim to keep you riding with some simple, but effective ways of staying saddle-bound.
1. Wrap Up!
More specifically, keep those extremities wrapped up. It actually tends to surprise first-time winter cyclists how warm they feel once on their bike and on their way, and many make the mistake of putting on too many layers beforehand. This can result in a clammy and uncomfortable ride, something we want to avoid. The optimum core layering should leave you feeling cool at the start of the ride, allowing room for heating up as you get going. For a ride at 0-5C I would go for a wicking base layer, long sleeve top and windproof, combined with a good pair of longs. The most important parts to keep warm are hands, feet and head. Therefore, don't skimp on gloves (windproof pairs with removable merino linings are my preference), overshoes (go for neoprene for the warmth factor) and skull caps (to be worn under the helmet - you don't want ice-cream head!).
2. Consider a tyre change.
Once you're out on the road, you want to stay on it and upright. In icy conditions this can be a bit of a challenge if you're rocking a pair of ultra-smooth, speedy fast road tyres. You'll also be more susceptible to punctures at this time of year, as there tends to be more debris on the road, so don't be afraid of taking a visit to your local bike shop in order to pick up some winter rubbers. You should be looking for a thicker tread and a kevlar lining, Schwalbe's excellent Marathon Kevlar range fit the bill nicely in offering great puncture resistance and are relatively easy on the wallet.
3. Keep it clean.
Whatever you do when riding in the winter, make sure your bike is kept nice and clean. The salt on the roads at this time of year is great at stopping ice from turning the surface into a skate-rink, but is not a friend of the bicycle. Ideally you should wash your bike at the end of each day's riding, but even once or twice a week will prevent the worst of the corrosion and seizing up of parts which can be caused. The way to look at it is the more often you do it, the less work it is (not to mention the money this saves in repairs). Keep a close eye on moving parts - chain, derailleurs especially.
4. Be seen.
It wouldn't be winter without the early sunset and flat light, and if you happen to be sharing your route with motor vehicles, you need to be seen. Now is not the time for your stylish black jacket - ninja cyclists are fine in the bright summer months, but may be tempting fate in mid-December. Of course, we're not suggesting that everyone has to wear fluorescent yellow, there are a plethora of bright coloured jackets out there of many different hues, but make sure that reflective patches are an integral part of the design. Invest in good quality lights - again, this is not an area to skimp on. You should be looking at at least 1 Watt in headlight power, a bright flashing rear light and perhaps a rear helmet light. It is also good practice to always carry spare lights, in case of failure of your main set-up. Knog's Frog range are perfect for this as they are cheap, small (easy to stow) and effective for their size.
5. Don't give in to your no voice.
Last but most certainly not least - the motivation factor. This is the winter cyclist's nemesis. It is so easy to look out the window, see the rain/wind/snow/possibility of any of the above and decide to go out 'tomorrow'. You have to bear in mind that if you give in to this voice, there will always be a 'tomorrow' and your winter riding will have been a wish rather than a reality. The rewards of riding at this time of year are plenty. Traditionally this is a time when fitness regresses, leading to New Year's resolutions which are never really fulfilled. If you stay the course your body will thank you - a steady level of good fitness is much better for you than the seasonal peaks and troughs that others succumb to. There is also the reward of quieter roads and the feeling that you are a 'proper' cyclist, immune to the petty effects of mere weather. At the end of the day, you will feel the benefits a hundred times over come summer - and perhaps that 100 mile ride you've always wanted to do will be within reach this year!
Now that winter has most definitely reared its ugly head, its time for some advice on keeping safe and on your bike come snow, ice, or whatever the weather gods are going to throw at us. Unfortunately it is all too common for normally ultra-keen cyclists to suddenly decamp back to the car at this time of year, leaving their poor pride and joy lonely and unloved in the damp of the garage for a few months. It doesn't have to be this way - and we aim to keep you riding with some simple, but effective ways of staying saddle-bound.
1. Wrap Up!
More specifically, keep those extremities wrapped up. It actually tends to surprise first-time winter cyclists how warm they feel once on their bike and on their way, and many make the mistake of putting on too many layers beforehand. This can result in a clammy and uncomfortable ride, something we want to avoid. The optimum core layering should leave you feeling cool at the start of the ride, allowing room for heating up as you get going. For a ride at 0-5C I would go for a wicking base layer, long sleeve top and windproof, combined with a good pair of longs. The most important parts to keep warm are hands, feet and head. Therefore, don't skimp on gloves (windproof pairs with removable merino linings are my preference), overshoes (go for neoprene for the warmth factor) and skull caps (to be worn under the helmet - you don't want ice-cream head!).
2. Consider a tyre change.
Once you're out on the road, you want to stay on it and upright. In icy conditions this can be a bit of a challenge if you're rocking a pair of ultra-smooth, speedy fast road tyres. You'll also be more susceptible to punctures at this time of year, as there tends to be more debris on the road, so don't be afraid of taking a visit to your local bike shop in order to pick up some winter rubbers. You should be looking for a thicker tread and a kevlar lining, Schwalbe's excellent Marathon Kevlar range fit the bill nicely in offering great puncture resistance and are relatively easy on the wallet.
3. Keep it clean.
Whatever you do when riding in the winter, make sure your bike is kept nice and clean. The salt on the roads at this time of year is great at stopping ice from turning the surface into a skate-rink, but is not a friend of the bicycle. Ideally you should wash your bike at the end of each day's riding, but even once or twice a week will prevent the worst of the corrosion and seizing up of parts which can be caused. The way to look at it is the more often you do it, the less work it is (not to mention the money this saves in repairs). Keep a close eye on moving parts - chain, derailleurs especially.
4. Be seen.
It wouldn't be winter without the early sunset and flat light, and if you happen to be sharing your route with motor vehicles, you need to be seen. Now is not the time for your stylish black jacket - ninja cyclists are fine in the bright summer months, but may be tempting fate in mid-December. Of course, we're not suggesting that everyone has to wear fluorescent yellow, there are a plethora of bright coloured jackets out there of many different hues, but make sure that reflective patches are an integral part of the design. Invest in good quality lights - again, this is not an area to skimp on. You should be looking at at least 1 Watt in headlight power, a bright flashing rear light and perhaps a rear helmet light. It is also good practice to always carry spare lights, in case of failure of your main set-up. Knog's Frog range are perfect for this as they are cheap, small (easy to stow) and effective for their size.
5. Don't give in to your no voice.
Last but most certainly not least - the motivation factor. This is the winter cyclist's nemesis. It is so easy to look out the window, see the rain/wind/snow/possibility of any of the above and decide to go out 'tomorrow'. You have to bear in mind that if you give in to this voice, there will always be a 'tomorrow' and your winter riding will have been a wish rather than a reality. The rewards of riding at this time of year are plenty. Traditionally this is a time when fitness regresses, leading to New Year's resolutions which are never really fulfilled. If you stay the course your body will thank you - a steady level of good fitness is much better for you than the seasonal peaks and troughs that others succumb to. There is also the reward of quieter roads and the feeling that you are a 'proper' cyclist, immune to the petty effects of mere weather. At the end of the day, you will feel the benefits a hundred times over come summer - and perhaps that 100 mile ride you've always wanted to do will be within reach this year!
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