Winter Bike Riding Tips

If you are fortunate enough to live in a part of the country that experiences all four seasons, you’ll have the pleasure of experiencing riding in different weather conditions. In the spring mountain bike trails can be soft, sloppy and muddy. The summer will dry up the trail and make it firm, with a little forgiveness if you fall. During autumn the trail may be covered with fallen leaves that will hide and obscure obstacles, making your ride a bit more difficult. Winter can bring different conditions. First the cold will turn the ground rock hard giving you more traction. Snow will completely change the trail dynamics adding to your challenge. Below are tips on riding in the winter.

For the best traction in snow and ice you’ll need studded tires. Studded tires are made up of a tire with carbide tipped studs. The studs will bite into the icy snow giving you control and prevent you from slipping.

While riding during the summer you’ll get hot and sweaty. In the winter you’re doing the same activity only at lower temps, and when temperatures drop our normal tendency is to bundle up and dress warm. Yet the physical activity of riding during the winter will help to keep you warm.
There are three things to consider when dressing for cold weather riding: low temps, wind chill and sweat. You will need to dress warmer to battle the cold of winter. The key principle to staying warm in the cold is to keep your body core warm and your extremities will stay warm. You lose 80% of your body heat through your head and that percentage can go higher if you’re bald. Over dressing will lead to sweating, and that moisture will pull the heat out of you and give you a bad chill or worse. Exposed skin is in direct contact with wind chill and if not managed correctly you can get frost bite.
To stay at a comfortable temp, not sweat and protect yourself from the wind, dress in layers. Start with a base layer of polypropylene long johns or a similar material. This material will wick moisture away from your body. Add more layers on top with a windproof outer layer. A helmet will help keep some heat in, but start with a balaclava made from a synthetic material. They fit nicely under a helmet compared to bulky hat and will cover much of your face and neck keeping the wind off. Men also have the option of growing a mustache and beard for insulation. Gloves and booties will keep the wind off outer extremities and help you to stay comfortable.
Be sure to wear sunglasses or tinted goggles when riding in the snow. Sunlight will reflect off the snow making the day twice as bright. The ground will appear flat without any contrast when it’s snowing and goggles will add clarity to the terrain.

Mechanical problems are other emergencies that can happen anytime of year, and they are compounded by cold weather. Be sure to pack all you may need to manage emergencies during the cold weather season starting with food and water, a hydration pack, energy bar and hard candy to suck on when you're far into a trail and stuck on your own for a while. The candy will slowly give you sugar and the sweet flavor will help keep your spirits up. Pack an extra layer of clothing. If you’re stopped or have to walk your bike you're burning  fewer calories generating less heat, so put on an extra sweater. If you need to use your tools during a cold weather emergency, remember metal gets cold enough to cause frostbite. Keep your gloves on while you work.  
Some riders like to carry disposable heat packs. That’s a good Idea to help you stay warm when you are having an emergency and must stop. Don’t stop in the middle of your ride to use one. You’ll lose more heat than you gain. The movement of riding will help you stay warm. You can use on once you're finished riding and are in a lodge or warming station. Personally, I like to wrap my hand around a warm cup of coco.