Winter Biking by Alex Parmenter (Glenmore Lodge Mountain Bike Instructor)

Winter Biking

By Alex Parmenter

In years gone by, bikes were obligate hibernators, at the changing of the clocks they retreated to warm sheds under a blanket of protective lubricant to sit out the return of the shiny round object in the sky.  These days however, more and more riders are denying their bikes the winter off and are putting them to work amongst the stunning winter landscapes that Scotland has to offer.

Winter is a hugely fulfilling time of year to ride a bike. Not only are the snowy mountain vistas an awe inspiring backdrop but familiar tracks and trails are transformed to offer us new challenges and provide us with many opportunities for adventure.

There are two main areas which provide extra excitement in the winter, shorter daylight hours and a drop in temperature. With these in mind it can be wise to adjust both our preparations for our ride as well as our riding once we are out on the trail.

Preparing to ride

As with all things outdoors in the winter, preparation is key. Getting this stage right means we are more than halfway to having a successful ride out.

When planning a ride out, we should consider: the weather and riding conditions; us and our group of riders; as well as the terrain we are planning to ride.

Weather & Conditions

The weather and conditions are more severe during winter months; this could include snow and ice on the ground as well as shorter daylight hours.  This will impact on the clothing we plan to wear and carry, including the equipment we take to support us.  Typically in winter we will need more layers of warm clothing, especially for if we have to stop for any length of time, in which case an emergency shelter is a valuable tool. Hands and feet also need extra warmth as they are exposed to plenty of wind-chill; we need to strike a balance between warmth and control as these contact points are crucial to having fun whilst we ride. Having shorter days and longer nights means it’s important to carry plenty of light with us, in case we end up finishing our ride in the dark or even planning to head out into the night.  We will want powerful front lights and rear lights too if our journey takes us near any roads, consider battery life, it may be worth taking spare batteries or ensuring a full charge.

Us and our group of riders

When planning our ride it’s worth taking note of our fitness and skill level, as well as our aspirations and desires. These factors need to be in equilibrium, whilst also taking into account the fact that we may not be as agile in our winter layers and also potentially impaired by poorer visibility.

Terrain

The terrain we ride should reflect that are brains are having to work hard to cope with the additional challenges winter brings. We will struggle if we aim to ride the same terrain the speed we do in summer. However, by reigning in on one or both of these factors we’ll have heaps of fun without overcooking it.

Out on the Trail

Now we’re all set, we can get out there and enjoy ourselves! We monitor those three elements as we go (weather & conditions, us and our group, and the terrain we’re riding), checking they are presenting themselves as planned. If we find that they are changing then we can alter our plans as necessary.

As we’re riding keep an eye well down the trail to search out areas of grip, which we can use to steer or brake, at night time this is helped massively by a good lighting setup.  Having two front lights is definitely beneficial, one on the handlebars searching out terrain in front of the bike, as well as a helmet light to see upcoming terrain around the corner.  The two lighting perspectives also serve to help drive away areas of shadow, illuminating terrain that would otherwise remain hidden.  On road it is essential to have a red rear light that is bright enough to alert drivers to our presence, however, on the trail the rear light of the rider ahead obscures our view and it is worthwhile switching it off.

How we ride as a group influences how much we can see of the terrain ahead of us. If you ride too close to the rider in front you cast their shadow ahead, hiding the detail of the terrain approaching their front wheel.  By dropping a little further back this problem is solved and both riders benefit.

Don’t forget to give your bike and kit a good wash when you are done, especially if your ride has taken you onto a treated road as the salt will chew away happily if left for any length of time.

With these top tips in mind, the winter offers us a fantastic playground, dig your bike out of hibernation and get out there!