Winter is a disaster for many cyclists. Snow, rain, cold, winter depression. All reasons not to get on your bike. But with this winter weather, there are just enough reasons to actually get out on your bike. Be careful though, we have listed at least 24 things NOT to do when cycling in winter. So take these tips for cycling in winter to heart!
1. Going out without lighting
In winter, it gets dark quickly by late afternoon. Taking a set of lights with you is therefore essential. Not only for your safety, but certainly also to make sure you can see something yourself on roads and paths that are poorly lit.
2. Fitting a mudguard to your frame, unless it is an Ass Saver
Cyclingreview.co.uk doesn't like a dirty butt, but does think you should always look stylish. Mounting a huge splash sport to your seat post is therefore out of the question. The only way to protect your butt is with an original Ass Saver.
3. Not carrying that extra water bottle after all
Every normal cyclist has two bottle cages mounted on their frame. So use them. And I don't mean for that ridiculous water bottle you put spare parts in, spare parts you put in your back pocket. By the way, we neatly adhere to the code and only use water bottles with a maximum capacity of 0.5 litres.
4. Driving through a puddle
Riding through a puddle as a child is totally the end, but the longer you are on the bike the more annoying it is. So steer neatly around puddles so that the person sitting on your wheel is not bothered by the splashing water.
5. On an indoor trainer steps
A winter workout is something you do outside. Such a surrogate experience is not good for anything, unless you want to get stronger, fitter and better without the chance of getting sick. Whatever you feel like...
6. Cycling without a purpose
If you cycle in spring you can feel the flowers and bees going through your mind, in summer there is plenty to see along the way, and in autumn you can also enjoy the view. In winter, however, it's deadly boring. Training for a goal, as I am doing this year for the tour version of the Tour of Flanders, helps you get through the hours in the cold.
7. Going on the road without a helmet
This goes without saying.
8. Leaving that windbreaker at home after all.
It's really, really better to have too much clothing on than too little. A warm upper body makes you less likely to get cold hands and ears, so just take that windbreaker with you. I have suffered a lot of cold in recent years, but since I once made that investment in a winter jacket, I no longer suffer from anything.
9. Cycling on a little longer when you feel that hunger pang coming on
During cold winter rides, your body burns a huge amount of calories. At least more than in summer, because now it also has to run a stove the keep you warm. If you run out of food and feel the dip coming on, you'd better head for the nearest café or supermarket. A Coke and a Snickers will do wonders and ensure you cycle the last 40 kilometres home relaxed.
10. Going to Mallorca to train
We get that you want to escape winter by working out in the sun. Mallorca is fantastic, but it's still not super warm in winter. There is so much more to explore in southern Europe. So should you want to go on a cycling holiday look at another, less obvious, location to go training such as southern Spain, southern Italy, Greece or the Canary Islands.
11. Not making a coffee stop.
You would be crazy not to make a coffee stop during your winter ride. In winter, if all goes well, you train mainly on your endurance skills and make long rides at a steady heart rate, making the group rides social. A coffee stop is then an absolute must. You can also feel free to step into a café alone and order an espresso.
12. Leaving your bike outside during the coffee break
If you take the dog for a walk, you don't leave it outside when you go for a coffee, do you? You are out and about together and then the rule applies together at home.
13. Going out without a plan B
In winter, a ride can just go differently than you planned. The weather can turn, it can suddenly get dark, you can get lost or fall mercilessly hard on your coconut. So always make sure you have a plan B behind you so you always get back home.
14. Putting your bike in the shed immediately after your ride
You take a shower yourself after a ride, don't you? Before we take our trusty comrade hang on the wall in the living room (or store it in the shed), so we clean it just as neatly with decent cleaning products.
15. Cycling without gloves
The most common reason why cyclists do not (want to) cycle in winter is that they get cold hands. As mentioned above, you can dress for the cold and so you should just do that. Put a few tens into good gloves and you won't suffer from anything.
16. Cycling without overshoes.
See point 15 (substitute hands for feet and gloves for overshoes).
17. Forgetting your inner tube
You must be a huge idiot if you forget to take a fresh inner tube on your winter ride. The chances of punctures are experimentally higher than in summer. I must admit that I have forgotten it myself sometimes in winter, but then I am as happy as a kid in the toy shop when I get home without a nice tyre. So don't forget to buy extra inner tubes!
18. Going out the door without checking rainfall radar
Nice-weather cyclists are not cyclists and certainly not cyclists. Still, it is best to ride around showers a bit if possible, that is not evasive behaviour but just smart.
19. Cycling across a freshly gritted road
Cycling through road salt (melting) snow can be deadly for your bike. Try to avoid riding through puddles of this foul gunk (see point 4), few resources will ensure that your bike is still the same after such a dredging ride. Besides, if it's freezing, you're better off skating on natural ice than cycling.
Going out on the road without reflection 20.
This does not mean you have to fit ugly reflectors on your bike, but at least make sure you are clearly visible to your fellow road users. Most winter clothing has reflective parts on it, pay attention to this when buying a winter outfit.
Going out with no money
The coffee you buy during your coffee stop does not pay for itself.
22. Trying to grab a KOM
Just for fun, log on to Strava and check out your target KOM(s). Bet your fastest times were not strung in December or January. So don't frenetically try to get the most out of yourself. In July or August, you can show your worth.
23. Just steering into a corner
Beware, it can be slippery on the country's roads. In winter, it sometimes seems to freeze, making roads slippery. So watch out a bit when turning into a corner. This also applies to braking, so be careful with that too.
24. Just keep riding your road bike
Find other ways to stay in shape, too. You can go ice skating, running, mountain biking, cyclocross or, if necessary, spinning. As long as you make your hours, in winter it's not so much about the distance, but the time you move. So keep looking for that time, even in the dark months!
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