5 Winter Riding Tips for Mountain Bikers
Let’s face it; Winter riding is not for everyone. Without the right gear and a tolerance for the cold, riding in sub freezing temperatures can be a miserable task. So today I’m going to share with you my top 5 tips for winter riding to make sure you can still get out there and ride, even when there is white stuff all over your favorite trails.
My #5 tip is a pretty obvious one, and it probably goes without saying, but I’m going to say it anyway: Ride a fat bike. The added traction will go far towards a good time on two wheels. But even if you don’t own a fat bike, don’t let that keep you out of the woods. Skinny tires don’t do as well as fat tires, but in the right conditions they grip surprisingly well. Don’t be afraid to let a little air out of your tires either. The added contact area will help your tires grip just a little better.
Next up, my #4 tip is to dress in lots of layers. Staying warm is critical to enjoying your ride. By wearing many removable layers you can adjust to your body’s needs throughout the ride. Odds are when you start off you’re going to be cold as balls, but as soon as you crush that big hill you’re going to be overheating and sweating like crazy. Leave your big ski jacket at home and instead opt for a lighter wind protection layer. Having a larger backpack with room to throw your gear gives you a place to stash clothes as you strip them off.
Speaking of backpacks, my #3 tip is for you boys and girls who ride with one of these hydration packs. Without insulation, exposed to the elements, the water inside the hose will start to freeze. To prevent that from happening, blow the liquid water out of the hose then tuck it inside your jacket or shirt. Next time you are parched pull out the hose and you’ll have drinkable water!
I am going to cheat a little and make my #2 tip two different, but related, tips. If you typically run clipless pedals, swap those out for flats. No one wants to be messing around with frozen or snowed up clips. And when you are riding flats, leave your fancy riding shoes at home. Instead put on a pair of good quality hiking boots. Odds are you’ll be walking your bike at home point during the ride, so why not benefit from the added grip of the hiking boots. After all, no one likes falling on their face, especially when they are just pushing their bike.
[ Director's Note: Clip and "cheering" at 2:22 provided by my good friend Steve "I'd rather be riding road" Gibertoni ]
Which brings us to my #1 tip for successful winter riding: Choose your trails wisely. You know that crazy hard, rocky, hilly trail system you love to ride in the summer? Yeah that’s probably not the best choice when there is snow on the ground. I like to stick with trails that are pretty flat and easy to navigate. West Rock, Tyler Mill, and Crescent are all excellent choices around Connecticut.
Use the lack of grip as a learning exercise and work on your technique. At the very least, once you warm up even the most mundane trails are fun with the right group of riders.
So there you have it. My 5 tips for successful winter riding. What do you do to prepare for cold rides? Or do you think we are crazy and would never ride in these conditions? Let me know in the comments below.
If you’re new to the channel, my name is Jordan Byron and I’m on a mission to ride and document every trail in and around New England. Click subscribe and come along for the ride!
Thank you so much for watching. Now it’s your turn, get out there and ride!
Special thanks to my wife Kelly for braving the freezing temps to get some extra shots for this video.
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