My Top 5 Winter Tips.

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BY: Richard Jones

Published: 23rd November, 2013

My top 5 winter tricks and tips!

Winter is very much like marmite, you either love it or hate it.  Personally I am a lover and according to this website http://www.stickybottle.com/blogs/tim-barry-on-the-perils-of-winter-training-you-need-to-know-your-lunatic-from-your-torturer/ I am the “winter world champion”.  I think this sums me up rather well as I do like to ride a lot during the winter however it usually leads to nothing come race season. 

For me winter training is a similar experience to the warm comforting feeling of being in a warm, dry tent and hearing the howling rain and wind outside: you’re there in the elements but with a little gear and a lot of thought you’re still warm, dry, comfortable and usually happy.  So here are my top tips on how to achieve this: 

Mudguards are OK.

Possibly the most controversial comment on this blog but I am afraid to me they’re just a vital part.  The road-training bike has proper full wrap around metal guards with rubber flaps reaching right to the bottom of the wheels. This keeps my bum dry and keeps the vast majority of mud and grit away from the bulk of the bike resulting in parts lasting longer. 

On the mudguard there is an essential neoguard on the forks and usually a crud catcher on the frame, amen for a clean face and being able to see! 

Cake and coffee stops are definitely allowed.

It’s winter so time to chill out, longer weekend rides need to be worked around what café you fancy visiting, so what’s the theory behind this? Well having a set destination to ride to prevents you from taking that shorter route option when your feeling lazy, You have been dreaming of that beautiful chocolate tiffin all week so pedal – and dammit and go eat. 

Banana and fudge cake, must be one of my 5 a day?

Intervals, Sign sprints and Strava segments. 

It’s easy to get into a mindset during the darker months that your riding is just riding, endless miles just being plodded out with no real agenda. It doesn’t need to be! Plan some serious sessions into your rides or ride out to some Strava segments that you want to PBs or KOM on. Doing this will keep you motivated, time will pass quicker and that extra exertion will warm you up.

Forget looks its all about what works.  

Now isn’t the time for the lightest newest most singing and dancing bike mod cons, it’s a time for using stuff that works for you. Those super lightweight saddles might be good for that hour and half race but do you want to sit on it day in and day out? Baggy shorts over the lycra allows you to keep a little drier, adds another layer for warmth and makes getting to the shower once home a little less messy. Florescent tops aren’t cool but they certainly stand out on a dull day. 

The winter machine. 

Spend a little gain a lot. 

Bike clothing is super expensive and can be hard to justify at the best of times. However some carefully chosen winter essential will make a world of difference. Things such as a good quality winter waterproof soft shell is an absolute winner and provides me with the piece of mind that whatever the weather I will remain warm and dry. It’s an investment but one that’s really worth it. 

There are 5 things that make the winter months just a little more bearable for me. Most of all I would advise just getting out there and enjoying it, there will be some bad days but also some really good days, embrace both of them and look forward to the dry dusty trails. 

The day of the "Great Storm" two hours tailwind meant the next couple where going to be grim…I wasn't wrong!

Richard Jones. 

XCRacer.com. 

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