5 Tips to Help You Enjoy Your Winter Riding

To help keep you motivated, we’ve come up with our top five tips that will keep you riding happily and safely all winter, so you emerge fitter and stronger next spring.

Winter is a magical time to be out on two wheels. It can also be daunting for the unprepared rider, making it easy to poke your nose out the door, shiver, and head back to bed.

You may struggle to get out on the road due to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It’s more common than you think. NHS Inform estimates that two million people in the UK have the condition and, potentially, a further 11 million people struggle with the milder (but still significant) “winter blues.”

But we love a challenge and are here to get you motivated with top tips to banish the winter blues.

#1 Getting your clothing right

A wise man (Alfred Wainwright) once said, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.”

Riding in cold, wet, and changeable weather doesn’t have to be a miserable experience. That’s why winter riding is all about layers. Get that right, and you’ll stay dry and warm no matter what Mother Nature throws at you.

Layers are essential for your upper body.

• Base layer – this is the one next to your skin. It’s tight-fitting and wicks away sweat
• Mid-layer – this is your defence against the cold, which traps air to keep you warm (long or short-sleeved jersey)
• Outer layer – highly visible windproof/waterproof jacket

When it comes to your lower body, you need something warm to keep your muscles supported and supple. Winter-weight tights with a brushed fleece lining are a must when temperatures drop below 10 degrees Celsius.

Don’t forget your hands, feet, and head. Wearing a skull cap or Buff under your helmet will give extra warmth and protect your ears from the biting cold. To keep your hands warm and functioning, buy yourself a good pair of long-fingered waterproof/windproof gloves. Finally, don’t forget your feet. Cycling with cold, wet feet is not fun, which is why overshoes will keep your tootsies toastie.

# 2 Give your bike some TLC

Let’s start with your tyres because they will keep you on the road. Winter tyres are a must because they’ll give you better grip, handling, and braking abilities.  

These tyres are designed for wintery conditions and offer better grip and handling when the weather turns bad. They are usually more puncture-resistant, too, reducing the chances of having to fix a puncture in sleet and rain.

Unlike their slick summer cousins, winter tyres have a variety of tread patterns to give extra grip in icy conditions. Plus, they often have a reflective strip to make you more visible on dark mornings and evenings.

You’ll be pleased to hear they are usually more durable than summer tyres, meaning you won’t have to replace them very often.

If you ride in a group, here's one tip: always wear mudguards so the person behind you isn’t sprayed with muddy water. Come to think of it, you should wear them anyway; otherwise, you will get a very wet bum!

After your ride, rinse and clean your bike to remove accumulated dirt, salt, and grit—especially the chain, gears, brakes, and rims. Give it a quick dry, and then add some lube to your chain so it’s ready for your next adventure.

#3 Stay bright

Dark mornings and evenings are par for the course of winter road cycling.

It’s time to ditch the black and go full-on Hi-Viz. Make sure your outer layer is reflective and bright. You can also get overshoes with reflectors down the back to make you more visible to other road users.

A good set of front and rear lights for your bike is also a must, as is perhaps a light on your helmet.

Basically, it’s time to forget about high-fashion cycling kits and opt for the brightest combo possible.

#4 Take it slow

Hands up if you’re the cyclist who spots another rider in the distance and then makes it your mission to catch and pass them. If that’s you, keep your competitive streak in check when the mercury falls.

In the winter, cycling is all about miles and not speed.

It will take a while for your joints and muscles to warm up properly, so leave yourself plenty of time for your ride and forget those Strava segments. There’s no point in risking your safety for the sake of a few minutes (or that KOM you’ve been after).

#5 Stay in control

When heading out for your bracing winter ride, be sure to take care and not expose yourself to risk.

The road conditions are likely to be poor, so remember that it will take you longer to stop. Speaking of the roads, be mindful that:

• Road markings will be slippery when wet, along with drains and manhole covers
• Fallen leaves can make it feel like you’re riding on ice
• If you find ice, steer straight, don’t pedal and try not to brake

Winter miles make for summer smiles

Hopefully, now you’ve read our top five tips, you’re ready for your two-wheeled winter adventure.

Despite the cold, cycling during the winter can be great fun on your own or in a group.

Remember, if you think it’s too treacherous or cold outside for your liking, don’t be ashamed to head back inside and hop on the turbo. An inside training session can be just as much fun.