Cycling during the winter is no easy task thanks to the harsh weather conditions, low light and cold temperatures!  British winters can be particularly sporadic, whilst winter months are generally considered as late November-February, in the past few years we have seen the cold weather last until April.

We have created a list of our top tips for cyclists to help them prepare for cycling in the winter!

1. Be Visible – Due to the shorter daylight hours, lighting conditions can become dangerous whilst cycling, particularly if you are commuting to and from work, or are cycling on trails in the countryside. Make sure that you are visible to both road users and pedestrians in low-level light. Wearing reflective clothing is one way of making sure you are easily spotted on the road. Every piece of clothing should have reflective strips on including helmet, jacket and trousers. Reflective strips can also be added to the spokes of your bike wheels. You should also have lights attached to the front and rear of your bike. Lights that can flash will be especially beneficial as they are more likely to draw road user’s attention and alert them that you are nearby. 
2. Keeping Warm – Never start cycling whilst you are feeling cold, this will cause you to use up energy more quickly and could leave you feeling drained before you have reached your destination. Make sure you are already warmed up before starting your cycle. Choose clothing that will not only keep you protected from the weather and the cold temperature but have also been designed specifically for winter cycling. There are several brands of cycling wear that are thermal, waterproof and windproof. Whilst it might be tempting to wear lots of thermal layers, these can cause to overheat which will also result in burning too much energy. Don’t forget about gloves! Your hands will be the first body part to feel cold, invest in a pair of windproof and waterproof gloves. 
3. Prepare for Punctures – Unfortunately, during the winter months, you are more likely to get a puncture. The wet road and trail conditions will cause more debris such as splinters, thorns and glass shards to get stuck to your tires. This can result in at least one puncture occurring, which would be inconvenient anywhere, especially if you are on an off-road bike trail, miles from your car. For shorter bike rides such as commutes, make sure you have a puncture repair kit with you for a quick temporary solution. If you are going on a long off-road bike ride, try to take two inner tire tubes and a pump so that you can repair the damage straight away. 
4. Research Weather Conditions – Winter weather conditions can be erratic. The forecast may have said the skies will be clear last week but that can change in a matter of days. High winds and heavy rain/sleet/snow are dangerous to cycle in. Keep checking the forecast every day before you plan to go on your bike ride. If the weather is due to change during the day from fair to extreme weather conditions, make sure you leave yourself enough time to complete your ride before the weather changes. 
5. Plan Your Route – Due to adverse weather conditions, off-road trails can quickly become blocked by debris or flooded due to heavy rain. Research your route before your cycle, find out if the trail is still safe to use. Either walk the planned route a day or two in advance to check the conditions or ask anyone who has used the trail recently. If the trail is on a national park you can phone their office to find out. 

With the right equipment, planning and preparation you can enjoy on-road and off-road cycling all year round! 

To see more cycling tips and recommendations for our favourite UK cycling trials, make sure you are following our social pages! 

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