
Introduction
"Work Less, Ride More" right? For some, that's easier said than done when the weather turns cold and the days get short. With the right gear and preparation, you can extend your riding season and enjoy mountain biking even longer!
Why Ride Mountain Bikes in Colder Weather?
Besides extending your riding season, there are several reasons why you might want to ride mountain bikes in colder weather:
There are usually fewer people on the trails, so you can have a more peaceful and enjoyable ride.
With the leaves off the trees and brush, the site lines are better so you can go faster.
You have a smaller chance of overheating.
You'll develop a new set of riding skills as you deal with some of the unique challenges that hard dirt, leaves, frost and even snow/ice bring.
The cold air can be refreshing and invigorating.
In Utah, it often doesn't feel nearly as cold. Our low humidity combined with the bright sun and low wind make it easy to get and stay warm.
How to Dress
There is no bad weather, just bad gear. One of the most important things to do when riding mountain bikes in colder weather is to dress appropriately. You need to wear clothes that will keep you warm and dry, but not so warm that you get too hot. And if you do sweat, you want that sweat off of your body ASAP. Here are some tips on how to dress appropriately for colder weather mountain biking:
Pro Tips. You don't need to dress like a wookie to ride in winter. Leave the ski pants at home. You'd be surprised how warm you get riding in the cold. You don't have to spend a fortune on clothing either.
Dress in layers. This will allow you to adjust your clothing as needed to stay comfortable. A good rule of thumb is to start with a base layer of synthetic or merino wool fabric, which will wick away moisture from your skin. Wool is warm, quick drying and it doesn't get stinky on you either. Then, add a mid-layer of insulation, such as a fleece jacket. Finally, add an outer layer of protection from the wind and rain, such as a waterproof jacket.
Be bold, start cold. Are you comfortable after you prep yourself and your bike at the trail head after being out of the car for 10 minutes? Then you're probably dressed too warmly. You'll want to experiment with this, but my advice is to remove a layer and be a little on the cold side for the first 5-10 minutes. Otherwise you'll get too hot and/or have to stop soon to remove a layer and figure out where to store it for the rest of your ride. Exception: If you're attending one of my fat bike clinics, due to the nature of group clinics, leave that extra layer on.
Take care of your phalanges. That would be your fingers and toes (and of course your hands and feet). They are all particularly susceptible to the cold, so here are several tips.
Wear warm socks and gloves. Merino wool are a great options, as they will keep your hands and feet warm even when they're wet.
Wear winter riding shoes or boots. With "warmer" temps (30-40 degrees), your regular riding shoes with toe covers may be enough for you.
I personally love handlebar pogies. One of the biggest reasons our fingers/hands get cold is because of the wind. Riding even at 5-15mph adds to this wind effect. Pogies will block the wind, allowing you to use thinner gloves so you have a better feel of your controls (brakes, shifter, dropper post lever).
Keep your core warm. When your core gets cold, your body will move the blood away from your extremities so that your vital organs stay warm.
On colder days (or if you're like me and always have cold hands and feet), put some toe and hand warmers on your feet and in your gloves. I like the Hot Hands brand for both of them. Pro Tip: For toe warmers, put them on top of your toes (not the bottom).
Head and Face. It's easy to lose a lot of heat through your head, so keeping that warm will do wonders to help your whole body stay warm. A helmet cover can help to keep your head warm and dry. Alternatively, a thin beanie under your helmet is often enough to keep you warm. You can take care of both your head and your face with a balaclava. Unless it's extremely cold, don't get anything too thick or you'll easily overheat, especially when you're working hard/climbing.
What to Bring Extra on a Colder Weather MTB Ride
In addition to dressing appropriately, there are a few other things you should bring with you on a cold weather mountain bike ride:
Food and water. It's important to stay hydrated and fueled when riding in cold weather. Bring plenty of water and snacks with you on your ride. Note that you burn more calories when your body is cold, so plan accordingly.
A multi-tool. A multi-tool can be helpful for making minor repairs to your bike on the trail.
A spare tube. It's always a good idea to bring a spare tube with you on your ride, in case you get a flat.
A headlamp or flashlight. If you're going to be riding in the dark, you'll need a headlamp or flashlight. Even if you don't plan to be riding in the dark, "stuff" happens and if you end up with a mechanical and walking back to the trail after it gets dark, you will be glad you have one.
A first-aid kit. It's always a good idea to bring a first-aid kit with you on any outdoor activity, including mountain biking.
Emergency Space Blanket. Better safe than sorry. They take up little room and can literally be a lifesaver for you or someone you come across on the trail.
"That's a Lot of Stuff!" Yes, it can be. I carry most of it inside a frame bag and have plenty of space for it all.
How to Prepare your Mountain Bike
There are a few things you can do to prepare your mountain bike for cold weather riding:
Take care of your bike. Regular maintenance is even more important as the temperatures drop. Be sure to review this blog post of mine for how to do that.
Check your tire pressure. Tires tend to lose pressure in cold weather, so it's important to check your tire pressure and adjust it as needed before every ride.
Consider using wider tires. Wider tires provide more traction in snow and ice.
Other Tips for Riding Mountain Bikes in Cold Weather
Here are a few additional tips for riding mountain bikes in colder weather:
Start Slowly. Then gradually increase your effort as you warm up.
Keep Moving. By maintaining a consistent effort, it will be easier to stay warm. You're dressed for riding/moving and creating a lot of heat, not for standing around (or even walking).
Communicate. Tell someone where you're going and check-in often. If you have a mechanical or injury, there are fewer people on the trail to assist you.
Ride with a Friend. If you (or you friend) as a problem, you've each got someone who can help.
Stay Alert. Be aware of your surroundings and watch out for hazards, such as ice, and snow-covered/ice-covered rocks and roots. Wild animals will often come down lower from the higher mountain areas as it gets colder as it's usually warmer where you're riding.
Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
Eat snacks to stay fueled.
Have fun! Mountain biking in cold weather can be a lot of fun, just be sure to dress appropriately and be prepared.
How About Fat Biking on the Snow?
This video from one of our local bike shops covers this topic the best I've seen. If you're considering fat biking, be sure to review it.
Thanks for Riding with Me / Wrap Up
Mountain biking in cold weather can be a lot of fun, but it's important to be prepared. By dressing appropriately, bringing the right gear, and preparing your bike, you can enjoy mountain biking all year long.
**Bonus** Get Coached
A shameless plug? Maybe, but I believe that skills coaching is the fastest way to reach your full riding potential. Nothing beats having a qualified coach giving you real-time feedback regardless of your riding ability. If want to ride more safely, have more fun, go a little faster and/or just feel less fear on your bike, let me help you get there. Mountain biking doesn’t need to be extreme or dangerous: learn the fundamentals of safe, confident and fun riding.
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About the author: Joel Zieve is a Certified PMBI Mountain Bike Skills Coach in the Ogden Utah (Northern Utah) area. He specializes in helping beginner, novice and intermediate riders ride more safely, have more fun, go a little faster and feel less fear on their bikes. He is also the host of the Podcast "Aging on Dirt". Click here for more information about his coaching programs.