Winter biking tips from Lukas Stöckli
It's exciting to see the temperature differences at which mountain biking is possible. At the Pyrenees Cross, I experienced temperatures of plus 42 degrees and in Lapland we were cycling at minus 26 degrees.
Efficient protection against the cold at sub-zero temperatures in winter
Winter temperatures are a challenge on long descents, but also on long ascents. I was able to gain many exciting experiences on my combined bike-ski tours and fatbike tours. Especially in Lapland, where we were already travelling at minus 26 degrees with the fatbikes.
With a temperature range between + 5 degrees and - 25 degrees, you need what I call clothing management. The wind is a decisive factor in these conditions. If I can successfully protect myself against it, I can also achieve efficient protection against the cold.
Strategies for travelling uphill in winter
- Just not shivering and therefore not sweating too much, because wet clothing loses its insulating effect! I ride with clothing that has zips on all layers, which I can then open and close during the ride. This allows me to regulate the temperature very well.
- The wind blows away the heat cushion that has built up between your clothes and body. At these temperatures, even a flat section on the ascent or a short intermediate descent is enough. A windstopper layer with a collar protects the chest and neck from the biting wind.
Biking on snowshoe trails and winter hiking paths through the snow-covered mountains is a special experience full of mysticism and emotion. - Lukas Stöckli, adventure biker
- On the one hand, you can lose a lot of heat on your head and on the other hand, you can also build it up. To avoid a sweaty head, I usually just wear a fibre fur headband that completely covers my sensitive ears.
- The cheekbones can become a problem area at very low temperatures. I coat them with a highly moisturising cream. It keeps the wind out and insulates. Deer tallow cream, which I also use as a seat cream, or milking fat have proved their worth.
- I also massage my feet and hands with deer tallow cream as additional insulation.
- The knees are also generously rubbed. I also wear knee warmers over my winter trousers. I can push these down or roll them up if necessary.
- If I have a drinks bottle with me, I fill it with very hot water or tea immediately before the start. This keeps the drink liquid for just under two hours. A frame bag that fits the bottle is ideal. An insulated bottle is very useful. In Lapland I always have a thermos flask of hot tea with me. A normal drinks bottle or the tube of a hydration bladder would freeze immediately.
Strategies for downhill riding in winter
- The downhill wind is several times higher. The multi-layer clothing system (onion principle) is well known and proven. The layer of clothing next to your skin must now be dry. If the descent is longer, it is worth wearing a fresh Functional vest to wear. Ideally with a collar so that the neck is also protected. To prevent the sweaty thermal jersey from coming into contact with the dry functional shirt, I put a thin Windbreaker on. This mid-layer keeps out moisture, provides additional insulation against the wind and packs down very small. The final layer is a down jacket. It protects against the wind and has the best insulating effect against the cold. My down jacket packs down so small that I could even stow it in my jersey pocket with a bit of skill.
- A head sock (with eye opening only), an additional wind-repellent hat and goggles (ski goggles in very cold temperatures) protect against the wind and retain a lot of heat on the head (also thanks to the multi-layer principle).
- At this point at the latest, the right Bike winter shoes with insulating soles. I have had better experiences with these than with the thickest shoe covers. The multi-layer principle can also be applied here with two pairs of socks.
- The same applies to the hands. I recommend Winter gloves and wind-repellent and insulating ski touring mittens on top. I also wrap the brake levers with a thin insulating foam. This is because the cold brake lever transmits the cold even through the thickest gloves. In Lapland I ride with Pogiesadditional handlebar cuffs. These protect so well that I can still ride easily with medium-thick gloves even at minus 10 degrees.
- Shorts over winter trousers also keep the thighs warm and, at low temperatures, the sensitive genital area too.
- Rain overtrousers or windstopper trousers keep the wind off your legs and knees. The advantage of the multi-layered clothing principle is that more air is stored between the layers of clothing as a heat insulator. In addition, moisture transport, vapour diffusion, insulation and wind protection can be positively influenced by the right choice of layers and materials.
You can find more articles on the topic of "Biking in winter" here:
Interview with Lukas Stöckli about fat biking in winter
BIKE: What makes fat biking so appealing to you?
Lukas Stöckli: Biking on snowshoe trails and winter hiking trails through the snow-covered mountains is a special experience full of mysticism and emotion. For us, snowshoe trails are often temporary trails that no longer exist from spring onwards. On them, I discover a world that remains hidden to me in summer. Fat biking allows me to discover winter in a new way. Flat landscapes can be combined with mountains, as can pressed winter paths, deep snow and rough trails. None of this is possible with conventional winter sports equipment such as snowshoes, touring skis or cross-country skis. Even a banal gravel road has its charm when the branches of the bushes hang low into the road due to the weight of the snow and it suddenly becomes a narrow trail. I can also ski across fields and pastures during this time and make my tracks in the deep snow.
Riding my bike over frozen lakes, feeling the absolute tranquillity of a snow-covered landscape or rocking a snowshoe trail is an experience that shows me the diversity of mountain biking. When I combine these fatbike emotions with a tour under a full moon, a fondue meal in a rustic mountain hut or a night ride high above the valley floor, it's pure bliss.
You offer your fatbike expedition through Lapland as a guided tour. Is that even possible for a mere mortal?
In any case. That sounds more extreme than it is. On this tour, you forget space and time. You immerse yourself and live in the here and now. You soak up the moments of this landscape and incredible natural spectacles. The feelings I experience every time are overwhelming. It's an experience that leaves a lasting impression on me and is unique in its kind and intensity. And my clients experience it in a similar way.
Our adventure begins 300 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle. Only a few thousand people worldwide live permanently above this latitude. We cycle over gentle hills, through sparse pine forests and over frozen lakes through the largest natural area on our continent to the northernmost end of the European mainland. We ride through the home of the last indigenous people in Europe right into the far north of Finland and Norway.
We experience emotional and fascinating natural spectacles such as the pale blue glow of the snow in the long twilight. Or when the sun, low on the horizon, conjures up its golden light over the thickly snow-covered fir trees. Unusually long shadows are just as impressive as the distant views in the clear polar air. In the evening, we regenerate in the traditional Finnish sauna. And with a bit of luck, we'll not only experience an enormous starry sky at night, but also the dancing of the mystical Northern Lights.
Fancy riding the tour? Information and registration at lukasstoeckli.ch
