5 Best Parts of (Snowy) Winter Riding
Those of you who are in contact with me on a regular basis know two things about me. I like winter riding, and I like to complain about winter riding. As much as I prefer the second one (I'm really just not a fan of winter in general) I only have nine days after I post this to enjoy the stereotypical Canadian winters, and I intend on enjoying every bit of it. I'm sure I can go a week of freezing temperatures without going insane.
Winter Riders Like Winter Riding
Between working in a bike shop and being a winter rider myself, I met quite a few winter riders. There's a huge range of them. Everything from road bikes to fat bikes, and the winter gear ranging from cycling specific winter kit to downhill skiing gear. Despite the broad range of riding styles and gear choices, I'm yet to see someone winter riding genuinely complain. Sure you have people like me who complain about how "I can't do intervals at a soul-crushing intensity", but at the end of the day if you're winter riding, it's because you have the right mix of passion and insanity.
It Does Wonders For Bike Handling
Bike handling has never been my strong suit, anyone who has ridden cross with me knows I'm only decent because I can hit 700 watts (probably not actually that much, it's a lot though) out of every corner, winter has changed that. Riding in snow forces you to learn how to corner with a foot out (if you want to corner at speed at least). It's also unpredictable, you don't know if there's ice under the corner or if it's pure hardpack, if that ice sheet is grippy enough to handle, or if that snow drift is going to flip you or not. There's also just something fun about sliding your bike around a corner and knowing that if you fall, the landing is slightly softer than normal. I'm not sure how much of it is winter gear and how much is the snow, but I'll take what I'm given.
It Gets You Outside
This is by far my favourite, so naturally, it goes in the middle. As much as I'm not the biggest fan of riding in -40, it's better than a turbo trainer, which is better than not riding at all, but I'm pretending like that isn't an option. As much as I prefer warmer temperatures, I also like getting outside and riding a bike. Sitting inside isn't fun.
It Slows You Down (Or Validates Your Slower Speeds)
As someone who likes to go fast, I can often get overwhelmed with goals and data and intervals and speed and, well, you get the idea. It's relatively easy to dress for a medium effort level, whereas it's incredibly difficult to nail layering for high effort. This forces you to slow down and ride because you want to go out and enjoy yourself (which is a good thing).
Edit: I used my heart rate monitor on my first "proper" ride of the year, you can still ride at a VERY high intensity, it's just you still don't go very fast. Check that ride out HERE.
N+1
Being a "proper" cyclist, the n+1 rule is arguably the most fun to follow. As much as most days I can ride with my studded tires on my cross bike, on the snowy days, I prefer to ride a fat bike. If you want to read more about how to pick, I've already written a post about my winter bikes HERE. Admittedly I plan on selling my fatbike when I get out west since snow isn't there six months a year, but in my defence, I'm using the money to buy yet another new bike.
I hope this list inspires some of you to get out there and winter ride, either for the first time or just to enjoy the ride you would've taken a bit more. If you have more reasons why YOU like winter riding, leave them below. Also if you're in Winnipeg and want to ride with me before I leave, let me know.
Stay Cool Internet ;)
Winter Riders Like Winter Riding
Between working in a bike shop and being a winter rider myself, I met quite a few winter riders. There's a huge range of them. Everything from road bikes to fat bikes, and the winter gear ranging from cycling specific winter kit to downhill skiing gear. Despite the broad range of riding styles and gear choices, I'm yet to see someone winter riding genuinely complain. Sure you have people like me who complain about how "I can't do intervals at a soul-crushing intensity", but at the end of the day if you're winter riding, it's because you have the right mix of passion and insanity.
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| I took this after a group ride, it was a good group ride. One of the guys actually PREFERRED winter riding. |
It Does Wonders For Bike Handling
Bike handling has never been my strong suit, anyone who has ridden cross with me knows I'm only decent because I can hit 700 watts (probably not actually that much, it's a lot though) out of every corner, winter has changed that. Riding in snow forces you to learn how to corner with a foot out (if you want to corner at speed at least). It's also unpredictable, you don't know if there's ice under the corner or if it's pure hardpack, if that ice sheet is grippy enough to handle, or if that snow drift is going to flip you or not. There's also just something fun about sliding your bike around a corner and knowing that if you fall, the landing is slightly softer than normal. I'm not sure how much of it is winter gear and how much is the snow, but I'll take what I'm given.
It Gets You Outside
This is by far my favourite, so naturally, it goes in the middle. As much as I'm not the biggest fan of riding in -40, it's better than a turbo trainer, which is better than not riding at all, but I'm pretending like that isn't an option. As much as I prefer warmer temperatures, I also like getting outside and riding a bike. Sitting inside isn't fun.
It Slows You Down (Or Validates Your Slower Speeds)
As someone who likes to go fast, I can often get overwhelmed with goals and data and intervals and speed and, well, you get the idea. It's relatively easy to dress for a medium effort level, whereas it's incredibly difficult to nail layering for high effort. This forces you to slow down and ride because you want to go out and enjoy yourself (which is a good thing).
Edit: I used my heart rate monitor on my first "proper" ride of the year, you can still ride at a VERY high intensity, it's just you still don't go very fast. Check that ride out HERE.
N+1
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| The shop that has been satisfying my N+1 desires for the last year. |
Being a "proper" cyclist, the n+1 rule is arguably the most fun to follow. As much as most days I can ride with my studded tires on my cross bike, on the snowy days, I prefer to ride a fat bike. If you want to read more about how to pick, I've already written a post about my winter bikes HERE. Admittedly I plan on selling my fatbike when I get out west since snow isn't there six months a year, but in my defence, I'm using the money to buy yet another new bike.
I hope this list inspires some of you to get out there and winter ride, either for the first time or just to enjoy the ride you would've taken a bit more. If you have more reasons why YOU like winter riding, leave them below. Also if you're in Winnipeg and want to ride with me before I leave, let me know.
Stay Cool Internet ;)
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