There’s no denying it – winter is on its way. That said, there are lots of reasons why winter is a great time to get out on the bike: the trails are usually quieter, coffee tastes even better on a cold day, and the post-ride glow from a winter ride can be really satisfying.
Winter conditions are tough, both on your bike and your enthusiasm, but we’ve plenty of ways to help keep you turning those pedals right through to next spring.
Winter is coming…
The old saying “there’s no such thing as bad weather just bad clothing†has some truth in it. Wearing a base layer beneath your jersey provides additional insulation and keeps your core warm, while a breathable, durable and highly visible jacket ensures the worst of the British winter stays on the outside.
A pair of full-finger gloves and a neck warmer go a long way to making the ride enjoyable – Endura’s Baabaa Multitube is a small piece of luxury made from snug, silky and itch-free Merino.
Light ‘em up and keep ‘em pumped
Riding around town you need at the very least to ensure other road users can see you, an the Cateye Orb light set offers plenty of visibility. A daytime running light like Bontrager’s Flare R on the rear can ensure you stand out from the gloom too.
If you’re riding off-road or on unlit country lanes, you’ll need a bit more oomph from your front light, not only to allow you to keep you visible but also so you can see where you’re going. The Cateye Volt 1200 offers ample light to show you the way with impressive side visibility. Simple USB re-charging means no more batteries too.
Getting a puncture on a cold day when miles from home can be a real downer, both for your fingers and your mood. A tyre with puncture resistant casing, like the Specialized All Condition Armadillo Elite or Continental Gator skin, is a good investment, and with widths up to 28mm they give increased grip and confidence in the wet too.
Keep the wheels turning
Salt and grit from the roads and muddy tracks means winter can be tough on your bike. A set of mudguards can work wonders by keeping the worst of the road muck off your bike while protecting you too. A clip-on set like the Mr Crud Urban Racepac mudguards do a superb job and fit to almost any bike, ideal for those muddy, cruddy winter MTB outings. But if you really can’t face upsetting the smooth lines of your bike, the least you can do for yourself (and your bum!) is fit an Ass Saver – simple, but very effective.
Finally, you’ll need to do at least a small amount of maintenance – chains and sprockets can get clogged in winter. A weekly clean and the application of winter chain lube will keep everything moving as it should. A work stand is a great investment, giving you easy access to the bike without getting yourself mucky in the process. The Minoura W-3100 work stand is a steal at just £99.99 in our sale.
Get on the turbo
If you really can’t face heading outside or if time is short, taking your riding indoors is a brilliant way to maintain form and fitness, all from the comfort of your house or garage. Turbo trainers allow you to focus on very specific elements of your fitness, and trainers like the Wahoo Fitness Kickr smart trainer can even connect to training applications like Zwift to really take your experience to the next level.
Bicycle Chain end of summer sale
We’ve got everything from bar tape to wheels and bikes in our fantastic sale. There are also great savings on winter clothing like the Bontrager Race Windshell jacket and Castelli’s pro-proven water-repellent Nanoflex Arm-Warmers, £100 off the Minoura Live Ride 760 Turbo Trainer and serious savings on 2018 road, mountain and kids bikes.
For more of our fantastic sale, click here. Don’t forget that if you’ve got any questions about how best to prepare for winter riding, our in-store team are always happy to help.
