WINTER RIDING
Biking doesn’t stop just because the snow flies! Snow, ice & dipping temperatures should not put a grip on your ride.
With the proper gear & a little courage, you’ll have no excuse to miss a revolution.
*Clothing:
Make your ride as comfortable as possible. No one piece ski suits or bulky sweaters apply! Once you start riding a lot of heat will be generated.
Choose light weight fabrics to layer.
Base Layer: Wicking layer. Fabrics made from polyester or polypropylene wick the moisture away from skin.
Avoid your favorite cotton Wonder Woman T-shirt. Cotton holds moisture and robs heat.
Insulation Layer: Light weight synthetic fleece to hug you in warmth. Top and pants
Merino wool is a nice choice too, depending on your budget!
You can always carry a heavier fleece jacket in your pack.
Top Layer: Protects you from the elements and holds in the heat,
Should be windproof, water repellent or waterproof.. even better.
I like the “Gore” bike wear.
Skull Cap or headband: Most of heat is lost from the head. Keep heat in & ears protected.
Caps can be found in a combination of light nylon & fleece for full protection
Headbands for comfort.
Always adjust your helmet to fit the headgear
Gloves: Many to choose from! It’s all in personal preference & fit. Nothing Bulky!
My favorites: Gore Alp-X-lll windstopper gloves
Sugoi Firewall l Z
Arm, knee and leg warmers: Fabulous for early season rides. When you heat up, you can simply peel these off. Wear them
under your top layer as well.
Make sure they are the right size or they may start to slide.. what an annoyance!
Gore, fit like a glove, nice wide band.
Socks: Nylon or polypropolyne base, layer with a light wool sock. You can also add a gortex or neopreme sock as your top layer for wind and water protection, depending on the type of shoe .
* TIRES: Ride safe this winter, don’t forget your studded rubbers! Snow can go through many cycles of melting and freezing. Varying snow conditions affect can affect the behavior of bicycle tires.
The Nokian Extreme 294 is a nice choice. Suitable for aggressive riding in all off road conditions. Studs are made of hard carbide, not steel! You won’t want to ride aggressively with no snow or ice on the ground. Studs will be more likely to rip out of the tire.
Continental ‘Spike Claw’ tires are great too, it’s an excellent tire that fits any budget. Steel studs provide excellent grip so you can explore the trails you rode in the summer.
*Keep Hydrated: Factors such as cold dry air, win chill, sweating and shivering contribute to dehydration. Dehydration interferes with body temperature regulation and impedes physical as well as mental performance
Bonking/To Bonk = to become exhausted: hit the wall
You can avoid this by keeping well hydrated and fuelled.
There are 2 forms of bonking:
Electrolyte bonking: Electrolytes (salt, potassium and other minerals) which aid in muscle function, become depleted through dehydration (sweat). Symptoms include fatigue, headache, muscle cramps and dizziness. You can avoid this by drinking before you begin your ride, during and after. Electrolyte rich liquids, which can be found in sport drinks and supplements are needed to replace lost electrolytes. Hammer Nutrition carries a wide variety of products to suit your needs.
Energy Bonk: When glycogen stores in the liver and muscles are depleted ( run out of blood sugar). A sudden attack of fatigue causes your legs to stall and cramp mid pedal and your brain to scream stop! Always carry carbohydrate rich foods and plenty of fluids. Graze on the carbs. at regular intervals for fuel and to keep you warm, especially on longer rides. The perfect mix = nuts and dried fruits.
* Light Up: With the days getting shorter you’ll want to light up you ride to be noticed on the trail. More of a concern if you have to do any road riding to your favorite trail. With a plethora of brands and prices the hunt for the perfect glow can be daunting. No .. duct taping a flashlight to your helmet or handle bars is not recommended. Placing a flashing red light on the back of the bike, a battery powered light (cord/cordless) on the helmet and bars will be suffice for your night vision. Who are you not to shine? Wrapping a bit of reflective tape on arms and legs will definitely bring you some attention.
Halogen (incandescent) vs H.I.D (high density discharge)
The strength of your light beam depends on the type of lamp.
Most halogen lights throw a yellow hued beam at a distance of 6 -7 feet and have a run time of aprox. 2 hours.
H.I.D lamps have a crisp, wide beam of glow and throws light that is 300% brighter than halogen.
*Clean and Lube: In winter conditions you will clean your bike more often. Salt, mud and grime can be abrasive and corrode your bike.dirt.
After each ride wipe down with a soft clean rag to remove dirt. If the bike is really muddy and covered with grit, wash with warm water and a mild soap. Be careful not to get water in hub, cable housing, etc. What I like to do if I’m not feeling like babying my bike. I’ll take it to the car wash. If your going to do this be careful not to force dirt into areas it shouldn’t belong. And, remember to wipe bike dry and lube before driving home in the cold temperatures.
Clean the nooks and crannies, including the chain rings with a soft bristle brush designed for these tight areas (grunge brush) . Keeping the drive train, sprockets and derailleurs clean is important!
Always lube the chain and chain rings after each ride or after cleaning. Use a ‘light’ oil based lube that works well in cold weather. The Finish Line products are my fave.
Hope these tips help you to get out and play in the snow. Ride the trails you love to ride in the summer. While your snowflake friends are whining about winter, you’ll have a head start on your bike for when the warm temps. roll around
Have fun and ride safe!
Magic Bike