With January now under our belts, we're getting closer and closer to finally completing this bitterly cold season. It's time to hunker down and brace for that final snowy challenge that's riding in February.
From motivation to get up and go to what to wear on your cold commute, we've got you covered in this handy little winter riding guide.
Up and out
It's hard to muster the motivation to get out and ride during this kind of weather. We see the snow, wind and rain from our bedroom windows and shudder long before we get outside. Rides are cancelled at the touch of a button, a solemn message in your riding group chat to warn your pals of your absence. If only there was something you could do to reignite those fires for two-wheeled adventure.
Well, it turns out there are lots of ways: getting yourself a new winter bike, for example. There are no three better words among cyclists than ‘new bike day’. It’s like Christmas and birthday all rolled into one, just without the annoying in-laws.
Winter bikes are essentially just rough-and-ready road bikes with a little extra stopping power, chunkier tyres and an all-round comfier position. It’s easy to fashion your own out of your current bike – slapping on some mudguards, extra lights and a pair of fatter, grippier tyres to get you started.
If you’re looking for a brand new machine to give you that get-up-and-go attitude, then look no further than our massive range of gravel and adventure bikes. They’re the perfect bikes for winter weather and can even be used all year round if you’re a fan of riding off-road dirt paths and tracks.
Just remember, if you are going to venture outside this February, then you’ll need to wrap up warm and don all the right clothing. There’s nothing worse than numb fingers and toes while riding, never mind the ever-present risk of hypothermia, so grab yourself a toasty pair of gloves and overshoes, as well as a thick, long sleeve jersey, snug undershirt and a waterproof gilet/jacket to batten down those hatches and let no vital heat escape.
Riding in the rain
When the roads are slick with water and ice, riding your bike can suddenly become quite the dangerous task. Here are our top tips for staying safe on the bike this winter:
Brake sooner – kill the speed before you get to a corner, that way you can tip toe through it without risking sliding out.
Rein in the speed – no one’s racing this winter so take the chance to slow down and have a leisurely saunter.
Expel some air – to give your tyres that extra little bit of traction, expel some air – you can afford to lose a couple of PSI during winter.
Keep your bike clean – giving your bike a quick clean at the end of every ride will ensure no pesky grime or winter shrapnel can start shredding away at your expensive components.
If it all gets too much
If riding outside during this bitterly cold period just isn’t your cup of tea, then why not have a look at doing some indoor riding. It’s not the boring old clip-in-and-pedal of yesteryear anymore – with smart trainers and virtual reality simulators like Zwift, riding indoors can be almost as much fun as riding outside.
Just grab a trainer, subscribe to Zwift, clip in your bike and off you go – racking up those winter miles all from the comfort of your warm, toasty living room.
Winter is a pretty torrid time for us cyclists, but it’s even worse for our beloved bikes, the grit and grime easily wearing away at all of our expensive components. If you’re in need of a bike check-up, then come down to the store, we’d be more than happy to give it some much-needed TLC.
