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Maximising Your Ride in Winter: Tips for Cold-Weather Mountain Biking

As winter approaches and riders start to haul out their winter gear and prepare for muddier trails, frosts and freezing early morning starts in the dark, we thought it would be a great opportunity to discuss how mountain bikers can get the most from their cold weather rides. From layering up and adjusting tyre pressures to the importance of managing risk with mountain biking insurance, we compiled 22 top tips to help you maximise your enjoyment this winter.

Understanding the impact of winter conditions

1. Temperature

Winter means colder temperatures, and that has a significant impact on your riding. Staying warm as the mercury plummets is one of your main concerns. Your ability to do so will determine the extent to which you enjoy your time out on the bike.

2. Rain

As well as colder temperatures, you can expect significantly more rain in the winter months. While this can be a lot of fun - things can get wild when it is super muddy and many riders will have had some of their most memorable sessions in slippy, muddy conditions - it also makes things a little more dangerous. Getting wet when you’re not properly prepared will also mean you get cold and miserable pretty quickly.

3. Trail conditions

The cold and rain drastically change the trails but in very different ways. While the rain softens the trails and creates muddy sections and puddles, the cold can freeze the ground, making it rock solid and sometimes icy. Learning how to ride in these conditions is part of the fun of mountain biking, but it requires practice.

Clothing and staying warm

4. Winter-specific gear

While you probably have a fair amount of mountain biking gear already, picking up winter-specific clothing is well worth the investment. Wherever possible, opt for waterproof gear, preferably with a breathable finish. Gloves are essential, as are a pair of winter shoes. If you are used to riding in a well-ventilated pair of summer Five Tens, you may want to consider buying some that will do a better job of keeping the wet out.

5. Layer up

Like any cold-weather outdoor activity, layers are key to regulating your temperature on the bike. Not only does layering trap air, keeping you warmer, but it also allows you to add and remove one or several layers, giving you more nuanced control over your temperature. If you only go for a trail shirt and a big jacket, you only have two options - too hot or too cold.

6. Carry a bag to store extra bits

While hip packs rule in the summer when you don’t need as many layers, the trusty old backpack comes to the fore in the winter. Try to find a design with a mesh back support if you struggle with that sweaty back feel after a long, difficult climb. If you’re not bothered by the back sweat, go cheap but comfortable. The bag is bound to get trashed in the mud, so there’s not much point in spending a load of money on a fancy brand.

7. Waterproof socks

Waterproof socks are one of the best-kept MTB secrets and have saved many a rider from freezing feet. Simple and affordable, they help you stay warm and dry for longer. This is invaluable in the winter, when it is hard to keep your extremities warm.

8. Avoid getting too wet too early

Finally, some riders may think this goes against the “get-stuck-in” ethos of winter riding, but we recommend staying dry for as long as possible. While it may be tempting to charge through that massive trail puddle on your first lap, getting wet early on means you are more likely to get cold. Save that for later in the ride, when you are closer to home and a warm shower.

Preparing your bike

9. Select the right tyres and pressure

Everyone has their own perspective and preferences when it comes to tyre pressure, so it’s worth experimenting to see what works for you and asking around to find out what other local riders do. However, the general rule is to let a little air out, as you’re probably searching for a bit more grip. When it comes to changing tyres, switching to bigger knobs with more open spacing can help with traction in muddy conditions. If you regularly ride in snowy and icy conditions, studded tyres are pretty essential.

10. Drivetrain maintenance is key

Keep it clean! The grit, grime and mud thrown up by winter conditions will have a big impact on your drivetrain and wear out components far more quickly. Keeping it clean will extend component lifespan and improve shifting performance. Some riders running particularly expensive drivetrain setups choose to switch to more affordable components in the winter. But this doesn’t make financial sense for everyone.

11. Mudguards keep you cleaner

Mudguards aren’t an option for everyone. Dropper posts can make them difficult to install and many riders find them a bit of a hassle. However, they do stop a lot of surface water and mud from spraying into your face or up your back. 

12. Lights are a safety essential

With the days getting shorter and a lack of light becoming an issue for those who want to get out in the morning or afternoon, riders quickly charge up the old bike lights to ensure the winter conditions don’t prevent them from hitting the trails. On the mountain bike, a combination of bar-mounted light and helmet-mounted light is the best way to go, as it ensures shadows aren’t so much of an issue and enables you to illuminate where you’re looking, not just the direction the bike is pointing. While lights are an essential safety item, they’re also a lot of fun. Night riding gives you such a different feel and a real buzz.

13. Brake pads - stopping power vs longevity

Much like how the winter conditions mess up your drivetrain very quickly, the mud, dirt and debris also play havoc with your brake pads. They will wear down significantly faster in the winter. You can slow this process down by opting for sintered pads over organic pads. However, organic pads are more effective in wet conditions and provide greater stopping power. Generally, the type of riding you’re doing will inform your choice of pads. Riding steep and technical downhill trails through the winter? Go for organic and replace more frequently. Sticking to blues or more interested in XC? Sacrifice a little braking power and go for longer-lasting sintered pads instead.

14. Pedals - switching to flats?

While you may already ride flats or simply prefer the feel of clipping in, no matter the conditions, many riders switch from SPDs to flat pedals for the winter months. Less grip and more sketchy trail conditions mean you have a bit more confidence if you can quickly throw a leg out to catch yourself or regain balance.

Adapt your riding style

15. Slower is (usually) safer

While we all get a buzz from sending it at speed, taking things a little slower in conditions will result in a much safer ride. The sheer unpredictability of the winter conditions - all it takes is a tiny bit of ice or a super-sticky patch of mud - means there are more unknowns and riders are less in control. Slowing down the pace slightly gives you more time to identify potential hazards and means the outcome is less painful and dangerous when you can’t avoid them. Of course, there are times when speed and momentum are absolutely essential for safely clearing a feature or navigating a trail, so tailoring your riding to the challenge in front of you goes both ways.

16. Intelligent braking will keep you upright

In almost all cases, braking disrupts the grip your tyre tread has on the ground. In normal summer conditions, the tread will quickly bite again and recover that grip. However, in winter conditions it may take longer to recover grip and your tyre may not re-find it all, resulting in you coming off. The harder and more suddenly you brake, the more likely this will happen. Consequently, moderating your braking and doing it steadily and earlier than usual is crucial. This is particularly true when cornering. While most experienced riders know you want to do all of your braking before turning into the corner, eliminating the need to pull on the brakes as you’re coming around, this is even more important in the winter, when even the smallest touch can bring you down.

17. Careful line choice helps you avoid hazards

In winter conditions, line choice becomes even more important. Damp roots and slick rocks are more likely to bring you down. Your bike may not respond to rock-hard berms in exactly the way you expect. Stopping and slowing distances will probably increase. As such, being a bit more careful with your line choice can make winter riding a lot safer. While modern full-sus big travel bikes often give us the confidence to take on everything and we’re used to them rescuing us when we’re not that thoughtful about line choice, the winter conditions will often reveal the weaknesses in this type of riding.

18. Body position and weight transfer are everything

In wet, muddy or icy conditions you are going to be searching for every bit of grip you can find. This goes as much for the climbs as the descents. Distributing your body weight appropriately is the most effective way to maximise traction and prevent tyre slips. Going uphill, when you’re driving power through the rear wheel, this requires you to keep your weight back. However, in general, keeping your centre of mass over the bottom bracket, in the centre of the bike, is best. It allows you to shift your weight in any direction quickly, without having to make big movements.

19. Sensible trail selection will keep you safe

Some trails ride better in the dry and some in the wet. Most mountain bikers will know which of their local trails doesn’t drain or simply turns into a mud bath when the rain arrives and will tend to avoid these through the winter. In most cases, it’s more fun and safer to hit the trails that hold up better in wet conditions. Similarly, avoiding trails with potentially dangerous features - whether that’s slippy wooden drops or slick rocks - can also save you from big crashes.

Consider your safety

20. Keep in mind the days are shorter

Unfortunately, it is so much easier to run out of light while out on a ride in the winter. If you don’t have lights, this can be unsafe. It is also a big issue for XC riders or those who like a big, all-day weekend ride. You do not want to get stuck far from home or the car without good lights just because you miscalculated sundown. 

21. Ride with others

While not always possible, riding with others means someone is always looking out for you should things go wrong or you need assistance. For a puncture, this may just mean there’s someone there to joke around with as you fiddle with your bacon bits and plug. In more extreme cases, it ensures someone can get you home or call for medical assistance.

22. Mountain biking insurance can save you

Finally, mountain biking insurance becomes particularly valuable in the winter, when the likelihood of crashing and injury increases. At Quote Sports Insurance, we offer mountain biking-specific insurance and find you tailored policies that meet your precise needs. You can combine elements from three different types of insurance:

• Health Insurance - covers you if you are involved in a mountain biking accident and require medical attention. Health insurance gives you immediate access to private healthcare so you get the treatment and rehabilitation you need from the best medical professionals in the country.

• Income Protection - covers you if a mountain biking injury prevents you from working or earning income. This prevents you from falling behind or defaulting on essential financial commitments like your mortgage, rent, credit cards and bills.

• Life Insurance - covers you financially if the worst should happen by providing your family or dependents with a payout in the event of your death.

The type of policy you take out will depend on the riding you do, your exposure to risk, and the level of financial protection you would like. We recommend getting in touch with our talented team to discuss your needs. They will also be able to answer any questions you have about mountain bike insurance. 

Mountain biking insurance with Quote Sports Insurance

Quote Sports Insurance is an experienced sports-specific insurance broker and can help you find an affordable policy that meets your needs and ensures you are neither over or under-insured. For more information on how mountain biking insurance works, check out our Mountain Biking Insurance: A Buyer's Guide article. Alternatively, head to our mountain biking insurance page or talk to our expert team about the coverage you require.