How to make the most of winter riding

It’s almost the end of January, but there’s still a solid chunk of winter riding left for you to enjoy. Yes, enjoy. There may be another month left of snowy sojourns, and why not be optimistic and cap it and maybe just over a month, but riding outdoors is the best way to make the most of those months. In between Zwift sessions, of course, but do get yourself outside this winter. If you’re not sold on the idea of frigid February forays into the singletrack, here’s a list of ways to make bouncing through the snow more comfortable, more fun, and maybe even make you a better rider.

Layer up

Perfect layering is an alchemy, not a science, and don’t believe anyone who tells you otherwise. When you get that perfect combination of wicking, wind proofing, and warmth it can make any weather conditions comfortable. With a little practice, you’ll learn what your preferences are for temperature range, and which parts of your body you need to work at heating the most. Some people get cold hands, some people get cold core. There’s ways to dress for both. Whether you like to start cold and stay comfortable, or start comfortable and sweat it out, knowing what you want will help you pick layers so you’re not carrying around extra discarded clothing in your pack.

Go Singlespeed

Winter riding can be hard on equipment, so ditching the gears and going singlespeed well help you save your equipment from undue wear and tear. Riding singlespeed is also good for your trail technique. You’ll learn to maintain speed without pedaling as much, and to look further ahead on the trail to know when you need to pick up speed to get over a technical trail feature. Smooth out your riding to get more speed, and you’ll be flying when you put the gears back on in the summer. There’s also the unquantifiable fun factor to singlespeeding. It can’t be explained, so just go out and experience it for yourself If you happen to have an older mountain bike lying around not getting as much use, turning it into a winter ride is a productive way to get it back in service. Who knows, you might even have enough fun you keep riding that old bike into the summer.

Ride at night

Winter riding is slower than summer riding, and going slower is not as fun as going fast. Same goes for night riding. But riding in the winter at night, you don’t feel like you should be going as fast, and you can relax and enjoy being out on the trails with friends. Night riding is actually quite fun, and a great way to see the positive in all the bonus hours of darkness Canadians enjoy through the winter.

RELATED: Four reasons to hit the trails in the dark this winter

Ride Indoor Parks

It’s on two wheels, and it’s riding in winter, so indoor parks count as winter riding. If you have access, take full advantage of the nearest indoor park, pumptrack, or BMX course. Indoor tracks are a great way to sharpen up the skills, or try learn something new. Even a little pumptrack will give you a great workout. Cardio, you’ll be breathing heavy after a couple laps, and strength that’s very sport specific are fringe benefits to the fun you’ll have. And all this indoor acceleration practice transfers into skills on the trail, even if you’re not sending the big lines at Whistler Bike Park. Riding indoor tracks will teach you to pump through trails, over bumps, roots and rocks to maintain, or pick up speed on trails without pedaling. And, unless you think you can get around a corner better than Bryn Atkinson, everyone could use some work on their cornering.

Get outside

This one’s pretty straight forward. One of the best parts of riding outdoors in the winter is simply being outdoors. Everybody’s different, but there’s a good number of people that find the amount of time you end up stuck inside during winter to be draining. If you’re the sort that gets immeasurable satisfaction from stepping out the front door and deeply inhaling that fresh, natural air, then taking the bike out for a slippery spin can be one more in your array of ways to get that fresh air high. If you don’t ski, won’t be sold on running, and just don’t particularly feel like walking, the bike is just as much an option to clear the lungs out in winter as it is in summer. A little Vitamin D, a little fresh air, and that invigorating freezing sensation on your cheeks can be the pick-me-up everyone needs at one point or another during an elongated Canadian winter.