Cycling in winter - A complete guide

Let's face it, cycling through the winter can be a pretty miserable experience for rider and bike. It's cold, wet, dark and more often than you finish a ride spattered with dirt from the road. But it's far from all doom and gloom though. There are those crisp mornings where the air is perfectly still and the fields are lightly dusted with crystals of frost. These are the days that make winter rides worthwhile. It also makes a refreshing change of scenery from the turbo, plus you get to have a catch up with your clubmates. In winter cycling the complete guide, we list the things to do and to avoid to improve your winter riding experience.

Here is our list of the Do's and Don'ts, the steps you can take to improve your winter riding experience. Whilst also keeping both you and the bike in peak condition for the start of the new season.

Little & Often

Cleaning that is. Wintry roads are littered with dirt, grime and sometimes by courtesy of those big Yellow trucks, road salt. If you venture out after the gritter has deposited its gifts it's highly advisable to wash down the bike immediately post-ride. You can only imagine what damage road salt will do to a drivetrain! Similarly treating the bike to some TLC after a wet weather ride prevents the components from becoming gunked up and working inefficiently.

Fit Mudguards

Mudguards are the perfect tool for protecting you and the bike from the worst of the road spray and grime. If your bike has mudguard eyelets you can fit a set of full-coverage guards. In the absence of eyelets, why not fit a set of clip-on guards which are still very effective. Two of the most popular clip-on style mudguards are SKS Race-Blades and Crud Roadracer MKIII's.

Fit winter tyres

Nobody enjoys being stuck at the roadside, fumbling around for the source of a puncture with icy fingers. This includes your poor clubmates who are stuck waiting for you. Fitting tyres with improved puncture protection and grip is the order of the day. Look for a tyre that has a decent puncture protection belt and good grip levels on damp surfaces.

Fit Lights

Invest in a decent set of lights or two for riding in the dark or on those murky, grey days. When shopping for lights, ask yourself the questions, do I need lights to see by? Or do I need lights to be seen? For example, if you regularly ride along poorly lit streets or country lanes you will need a front light that is bright enough to light the way. Look for something with 800 lumen+ and remember to have it pointing towards the road. Alternatively, look for one where you can easily dip the beam to avoid dazzling other road users. Likewise, if your rides are along well-lit streets lower-powered LED lights are more than sufficient.

Stick to the plan

If you have planned to ride 3 times this week, do it! Don't let a bit of rain or a strong breeze dissuade you from heading out. It's easy to lose motivation in winter and its a hell of a lot harder to regain it. Once you're out, you know it will be worth it and when spring arrives you'll be fighting fit.

Stick to treated surfaces where possible

Few things unnerve experienced cyclists quite like black ice. To the unwary, the first signs are the inevitable off, followed by you and the bike sliding down the road in perfect unison. If you do decide to brave untreated surfaces (let's face it a lot of us do) try and stick to flatter routes. If you have ever been met by the sight of cars sliding backwards down a climb, you know its time to cut your losses and head for the lowlands. (true story, the climb was the Trough of Bowland ).

Wear Layers

As you get deeper into a ride your body generates more heat and it can be trapped by insulating layers. Now, if you are wearing a number of thinner layers this is not a problem. However, if all you have on is a jersey and a big bulky jacket your options are limited. Your choice is to continue to sweat or remove the jacket and freeze. It's much more practical to layer up.

Most road cyclists tend to mix base, mid and intermediate layers with gilets, windproof jackets and capes to match the conditions. In this way, you can shed layers as necessary but they are still available if it turns cooler again.

Don't store the bike in a damp area

When storing your bike, try not to store them in a garage or shed where it will be subjected to the cold and damp. If you have to store them in such environments, use moisture-absorbing crystals to counteract the damp. Think of those packets of silica gel that you often encounter when opening up new items of clothing or footwear. You can even buy these online.

Don't ride through puddles

Now we're not saying that you should avoid every puddle because this would be nigh on impossible. What we are saying is that with the state of the roads these days more often than not, that seemingly innocent-looking puddle can sometimes hide a chuffing great pothole. Just waiting to swallow up the wheel of some poor unsuspecting cyclist. For the sake of your wheels (and potentially face) try and avoid where possible.

Don't use a jet wash or hosepipe

A jet wash or hosepipe on jet setting should be avoided at all costs. It is all too easy to wash the protective grease out of bearings. If you must use such equipment avoid the wheel hubs, bottom bracket and headtube. Even better, don't use one at all and just fall back on the trusty soapy water and sponge combo.

Don't double puncture

You know what's worse than a puncture? Two, on the same ride! Even the most puncture-resistant tyres can succumb to the dreaded puncture. Especially if the tyre is worn out. In fairness, it doesn't happen often and if you have a good set of boots (tyres) fitted the chances are greatly reduced. But it is always best to (as the scouts would say) be prepared. Pack 2 tubes for any long winter ride. If you only have room for one, take some puncture repair patches as well.

Don't be afraid to go crazy with the lube

Dirt and grime from the road are hard on components and can really affect the efficiency of the drivetrain. Not to mention the premature wear of the components. Once you have given the bike a wash down don't be shy with the lube. Treat most moving parts to a quick splash of lube. You can even squirt some down the cables from time to time to ensure they aren't clogged up.

But beware of spraying lube anywhere near disc brakes! If you contaminate the pads with lube you will experience the full force of the dreaded disc brake squeal. The only cure for this is to remove the pads and sand them down or to replace the pads entirely.

Don't forget your extremities

When cycling in winter, your fingers and toes are extremely susceptible to the cold. The feeling of numb fingers and toes whilst riding your bike can be extremely unpleasant. Not to mention the pain when normal blood flow is restored as you heat up. Investing in some decent overshoes and gloves is an absolute necessity. If however, the thermometer drops to freezing or below more than one pair of gloves may be required. For example, when the 'Beast from the East' struck in February 2018 it was not unusual to see Ribble staffers wearing 3 pairs of gloves. In cooler conditions, liner gloves are your friend, as are a pair of warm socks or 2 underneath your overshoes.

There are certain cycling essentials that you should never leave home without. To avoid being caught out whilst on your ride, you can these listed here.

Do you own a Ribble bike that you wish to ride through winter? Read our blog on how to convert it to improve cycling in winter.