After months of dry weather and the UK’s hottest summer on record, I got up on Wednesday for an early road ride and felt a definite chill in the air. It was time to pull out a gilet (the most underrated piece of cycling clothing) and slide on a pair of knee warmers.
But, rather than having a sense of dread about the seasons changing, I was filled with excitement. Unlike most, I have to ride through the winter – such is the life of a bike tester – but I love riding in all weathers. My personal purgatory would be cycling indoors on a static bike or smart trainer in Zwift hell.
Cycling for me isn’t the pursuit of fitness, that’s just the result of riding. For me, the joy of owning a bike is being outdoors, riding in the fresh air with a sense of freedom and exploration.
Sticking to a training session has always been a tricky proposition for me. I can ride to power, heart rate or a specific tempo, but if I see a lane, road, track or path I haven’t tried before, I’ll head down it – even at the expense of planned intervals.
After decades of riding through the winter, I’ve learnt that being prepared is the best way to survive the ‘off’ season. So, here are my tips for cycling in the cold, as someone who tests bikes all year round.
Mudguards are essential
Firstly, a good set of mudguards is essential. I spend a lot of the winter riding test bikes that can’t fit mudguards. So that means quick-fit guards.
On the road, in recent years, I’ve relied on the brilliant Ass Savers Win Wing in both its road and gravel iterations.
Protect your extremities
Next, a great set of winter gloves that are warm, water resistant and not too bulky is the way to go. My go to gloves are Endura’s Deluge 2, or on really cold days, Sportful’s Sottozero.
For the other extremities, I’m afraid there are no shortcuts, so you can keep your soggy, fragile overshoes. I’ll invest in tough, warm and water-resistant boots every time.
Northwave’s XT Celsius Arctic GTX boots are my top choice for off-road riding and I'd recommend the legendary Lake CX146 for the road. Neither have let me down over successive winters and they’re ready to go for this season.
Layer up
A good-quality long-sleeve baselayer goes a long way. My old Assos winter base is still going strong, and I have a now-discontinued Gore baselayer with a high collar I’ve relied on for years in really cold weather.
Bib tights are essential for the road, with Sportful’s NoRain and Gobik’s Absolute two favourites I rely on.
When it comes to gravel riding, I’ve switched over to mountain bike kit. I find a good pair of MTB trousers harder-wearing than Lycra. When riding in grime and grit, Lycra can get worn to smithereens all too quickly by the sandpaper-like qualities of a mud-strewn saddle grating on the seat of expensive bib tights.
The best winter jacket for you will depend on when, how and how far you ride. A good water-resistant shell is great for hard one-to-two-hour road rides. Any longer than that, and I’ll go for a warmer softshell.
Try night cycling
Mountain bikers have embraced night riding for years, and it’s great in winter.
Off-roading in the dark brings thrills like nothing else. You can be moving much slower than you would in the light, on the same trails, but get much more of an adrenaline rush. The same goes for gravel. If you want to hone your skills and improve your reactions, riding off-road at night is the ideal crash course.
Plus, with the advances in lighting tech over recent years, I’ve found even a so-called ‘commuter’ light costing less than £100 can provide ample illumination for a good hour’s blast on gravel.
Previously, I’d have had to spend hundreds on two-pack lights to get the same level of illumination.
Be prepared
When the weather’s bad, it’s easy to find excuses not to ride and stay indoors.
The first way to combat your own personal imp on your shoulder telling you to turn off the alarm and stay tucked up in bed is to be prepared. Get your kit together the night before, and have it laid out ready with your hydration and fuel ready to go.
Most importantly, get your bike sorted ahead of time with your pre-ride checks done. That means checking battery levels if you have electronic gears, or a run through the gears if you're riding mechanical.
Make sure your tyre pressures are correct, your mudguards are on and there are spares in your saddlepack.
One of the best ways to ensure you get out is to arrange to ride with friends. It's easier to avoid riding when it's just yourself. If a friend’s waiting, you’ll be more committed to showing up. Once you're out and pedalling, you won’t regret it.
If you intend on spending your winter sitting on a static bike in your ‘pain cave’, then fair play, I admire your will to suffer.
Personally, I’ll be putting on my boots, pulling on my gloves and turning on my lights. Getting out, getting cold, getting wet, getting grimy, and all in the name of fun.
