You can go on a cycling holiday at any time of the year. Cycling in the winter, especially cycling in the snow, has a truly magical feel. But of course, it’s often very cold. Your body then has more difficulty keeping itself warm, and all sorts of problems can arise. How do you ensure that you can still enjoy cycling in the winter or in cold conditions? We’ve put together a list of some tips for cycling in winter, and you’ve probably guessed it: many people focus on good clothing, but also on planning! Take advantage of this.
1. Food and drink
One of the most important things when you go cycling outside Winters Once again, it’s time for food and drink. Especially drinking is often forgotten because you’re less thirsty compared to a warm summer day. You also sweat less, but good hydration is still essential. A half liter per hour is the benchmark, even in winter. In summer, that can quickly rise to 750ml to a liter of fluid that you need to replenish.
Another tip for cycling in winter: Food is essential! Your body will still burn calories, and if you don’t replenish them, you’ll have a problem on longer rides. But if it’s really cold, your food can become ‘unnutritive.’ Especially if you’re cycling in temperatures below zero. Think about this in advance. You can choose to eat more liquid food, for example. Also try to eat enough beforehand when you start training. Fuel in the engine ensures that the heater can run smoothly!
2. Lighting
In winter, the sun shines for a much shorter time and less often than in summer. The conditions are often overcast/grey. Lighting is essential, even during the day! Make sure you have a good lamp that you can see with, but also be seen with. The terms Lumen and Lux are sometimes used interchangeably. A lamp with a high lumen count emits a lot of light. You are then clearly visible. With a low LUX count, you cannot see a single ball. Compare it to a lighthouse and a searchlight. A lighthouse is clearly visible, high lumen. A searchlight can see well: high lux. A headlight of 60 lux could help you go a step further. Then take a look at these options.
3. Clothing
We announced it already, but clothing is very important at such a time. Once the cold sets in, it’s hard to get warm again. Only a long stop by the warm stove will help then. Then you have to climb back on the bike… We work from top to bottom for a moment.
- Head: The estimates range from 10 to 30% of the body heat that leaves your body through your head. A hat, a buff or a simple skull cap, like this one They help to keep the heat inside. The advantage of a skull cap or a buff is that it keeps your ears nice and warm too. Especially in very cold weather and a biting wind, that’s not an unnecessary luxury.
- Body – Jack: layers, layers, layers. Air between the clothes keeps you warm. Get a good winter jacket like the Arri from Etxeondo. Then you’ll never be cold again! It’s important that a jacket insulates well, but also breathes well. If you can’t get the body moisture out, everything will get wet. Then you’ll quickly get cold again.
- Body – underwear: if it’s really cold, you can wear a regular summer shirt under your jacket for an extra layer. In any case, wear a good thermal shirt, like this one, the Iluna.
- Body – vest: if you’re really cold, you can also wear an extra vest or a body, to stop, for example, the cutting wind. Choose one that you can easily tuck into one of your pockets. If you suddenly get really cold, then a vest will help. Like this gilet
- Lower bodyThe wool underpants are really passé because nowadays there are nice, long, warm winter pants available. The Orhi cycling pants keep you warm at temperatures from -2 to +14. That’s great, right?
- Hands: Gloves are always a tricky thing. Most woolen gloves are wonderfully warm, but when you get a bit of a cold they turn into running refrigerators. With all the consequences that entails. Most ski gloves are on the other hand very warm, waterproof but poorly breathable. The Etxeondo Gare helps you from -5 to +10.
- Feetsocks and stockings. Good socks are important for warm feet. It sounds logical, but still many will simply wear the summer socks, only to find out that they are a bit too cool. Good, thicker winter socks offer more warmth. Then you should also pair them with a pair of good overshoes and you can make happy miles
4. Preparation
If it’s really cold, it’s a good idea to plan the route in advance. Of course, there are plenty of adventurers who say: planning the route comes later and it’s actually fun to get lost once in a while. We can’t argue that! However, planning a route with any possible stops along the way is a good idea. Also in connection with the weather. Always check the weather and also see if it’s still frozen over. In the city, there is always a lot of salt spread around and even bike paths are usually safe. But if you’re going to leisurely cycle along country roads and back roads, then frostbite is your biggest enemy. So always check the weather in combination with the route. In the premium version, Komoot also has an on-tour weather report. Super handy.
5. Bicycle
The bike has to endure a lot in the winter. On the road you suffer from ice, grit, moisture and dirt. On the gravel bike the same applies, but especially the dirt. Good preparation is then important. Here are some additional tips
- Mudguards. A knee protector or a simple fender can help keep the dirt within limits. It not only protects your rear end but also the bike. They come in many types and sizes and are often easy to attach.
- Maintenance: Make sure you clean your bike ALWAYS after a winter ride. Rinse, clean, dry, oil. Dirt gets everywhere, so if you don’t clean it properly, the parts wear out much faster than normal. That’s not nice for the wallet on the one hand, but it also makes riding less enjoyable.
- It also helps to take your bike apart a little extra once in a while. There is a lot of dirt in the moving parts. Your local bicycle repairer You can definitely help.
6. Life hacks
Okay, here it comes. If you're really a cold-blooded person, then this is the best lifehack ever. Heat pads You can put it in your gloves or in your shoes. Yay. Such a heat pack gives off heat for a longer time, you basically don’t need extra socks and when it’s all done, you’re usually back home!
7. Training inside
Is it really dog weather? Then just stay inside! There’s no reason you can’t train indoors too. Nowadays there are so many ways to make indoor training fun. You can virtually cycle in the world of Zwift, but also on real roads with Bkool, Rouvy, FulGaz and RGT. If you want the most realistic cycling experience, then hop on the TrueBike from Truekinetix. You won’t get much closer to cycling on the road, because there has been years of development in creating the ultimate indoor cycling experience.
Questions & tips
Do you have any questions about this route, or have you been there yourself? Share them here. We read everything and usually respond within a few days.