Biking in winter: Tour tips - more fun on winter trails
BIKE
· 01.02.2023
Contents:
Antifreeze - tips that have proven their worth
Preparation: How do I plan the winter tour?
Bikers lay the foundations for a successful winter tour while still in the warmth of their homes. Stretching and warm-up exercises before the start minimises the risk of injury. Warm tea helps the bronchial tubes and prevents irritating coughs caused by a cold start.
It's also worth checking the current snow line in the low mountain range. If you ride more on the south side of slopes, you have more chance of sunshine and dry trails. To avoid cold sweat, we recommend an undulating elevation profile without too long descents.
If it does get too cold or too dark, it is advisable to have a good shortcut ready. It's better to plan a shorter route and add an extra lap if necessary.
Helpful luggage: What do I need to take with me?
In the event of a sudden cold snap, a additional jacket and a hot drink from a thermos flask are best. On longer tours, a change of underwear protects you from cooling down through sweat.
Cold air is particularly dry. To protect your mucous membranes from bacteria and viruses, remember to drink enough. As the body needs more energy on tour to maintain its normal temperature, you need a ration of food in your rucksack or jersey pocket - i.e. sandwiches, bars or gels.
A Defect in the cold can be fatal, therefore always at least Multi-toolchain lock, spare inner tube and air pump. A foam cover protects against the cold from CO² cartridges.
Riding technique: Basic tricks and small laps
Small Driving technique exercises enhance every winter tour. Instead of going on a big tour, why not ride the same trail section several times in succession and perfect your cornering, braking and jumping technique?
Before or after the tour, you can take a detour to an empty car park or school playground - ideally these are even illuminated. Whether on the spot balance, Bunnyhop or on the Rear wheel surfing: Many basic techniques do not require a trail.
But be careful: keep warm between exercises with movement to avoid getting stiff. A mobile course is quickly set up with pallets and pylons. Together with others, this type of basic training is easier.
Useful equipment
A quick push or a jog home in the event of a fault? In Winter shoes you should be able to walk safely. Flat pedals also work in mud and make it easier to take one foot off the pedal and put it out if you slip.
Studded tyres only really make sense on ice. Good MTB tyres with coarse studs and an open profile for fast self-cleaning also work in winter. Cold metal brake levers can be insulated with silicone covers. Lights for front and rear bikers should always have with them in case of an emergency.
Road salt causes chains to rust within hours. After the tour, rinse with water and maintain with biodegradable oil or wax.
Emergencies during the tour
Orientation is particularly difficult in fog and early darkness. In the cold, the batteries of Smartphone and GPS device empty more quickly. A small power bank can help in an emergency.
Before setting off, it is best to let someone know where the tour is going and how long it will take. If you are unable to move sufficiently after a fall, you will cool down within a few minutes - especially on the cold forest floor. A rescue blanket protects you from the worst and fits in every trouser pocket. In an emergency, cafés, petrol stations, public buildings and rooms with cash machines are suitable places to warm up.
You can find more articles on the topic of "Biking in winter" here:
Winter tired - destinations with snow-free, dry trails
Italy: Finale Ligure
Finale Ligure is the place of pilgrimage for bikers who want to let off steam in winter on over 100 kilometres of trails. When the German forests sink into the mud, the Italian rocks and hairpin bends are still wonderfully dry.
Portugal: Madeira
Madeira offers T-shirt weather even in January with temperatures around 19 degrees. Long tours are still possible in winter on the volcanic rock of the Portuguese Atlantic island. The "island of flowers" also offers challenging trails with a high mountain character.
Canary Islands, Spain: La Palma
La Palma is slowly but surely recovering from the eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano. The locals are happy to welcome tourists and guide bikers on old single trails from the jungle to the beach. In January, the temperatures are around a mild twelve degrees.
Nightride: Tips for biking in the dark
Even if the tour starts in daylight: Especially in winter, when the days are short, you should be well prepared for the onset of darkness. In other words, good lighting on your bike is a must. It's about seeing, but also about being seen. As a general rule, special care must be taken when travelling in the dark or at night. Here are our tips for a safe night ride.
Before the tour - skilful planning
Even if the tour still starts in daylight, you should Lamp or bracket must already be fitted on departure. Light is only available on the helmet with power. Fully charged Batteries are therefore just as much a must for night rides as Spare battery or spare lamp. In the dark, bikers not only have to think about seeing, but also about being seen, and they have to be prepared for a Rear light and reflective clothing.
If it's cold during the day, it's really frosty at night - so winter night rides are only possible with the right warm clothes! After dusk, the tour should not be planned through undeveloped nature reserves. Sensitive Avoid single trails and better stay on forest tracks or prepared trails.
Travelling in the dark - driving smart
When climbing uphill, it is better to use the lamp on a medium light level in order to have full lighting power on the descent. On long tours and in extreme sub-zero temperatures, it is advisable to keep the battery warm and carry it close to your body.
Bikers should be particularly careful of animals and other forest users, such as pedestrians or hunters, in the dark. behave considerately. Always dip the headlights for oncoming traffic.
At night, your riding technique needs a little time to get used to: especially with powerful lights, damp areas may appear brighter than dry ones. Where the cone of light disappears into the black, an abyss could be lurking. The tunnelling effect makes it easy to speed - it's better to be careful.
On the way home - arrive safely
An additional light on the bike helps you to recognise contours on the trail. Back on the road, it is mandatory. According to the law, only Lampswhich are mounted on the bike itself, must be StVZO-compliant. A daytime running light or dipped beam function is helpful in the city.
"In reality, a night ride is often not planned as such. When the days are short, bikers should be better prepared. Lamps with functions such as daytime running light, low beam and high beam offer a good combination of visibility and trail properties." Joshua Koch, Lupine Lighting Systems
After the tour - care & warm up
If your evening mountain bike tour took you along wet paths, treat your bike to a Cleaning and the necessary CareBut also yourself and your cycling clothing you should do something good. Batteries should be charged immediately after the tour. If an energy storage system has completely discharged at low temperatures, it must be quickly returned to the charger to prevent deep discharge and thus irreversible damage. Damage to be avoided. Fully cooled cells can lose up to 30 per cent of their capacity. Always charge batteries fully and store them in a warm place, but at temperatures below 25 degrees.
