You look outside and you see a thick white blanket of snow. As the white flakes fall from the sky in steady quantities, a beautiful white blanket forms over the roads and in the forest. You want to go cycling today. Cycling in the snow, it will be. You now have two choices:
- You crawl under the wool, go to the paincave in the afternoon and indulge yourself on an online platform like Rouvy Or Zwift.
- You get ready for a cool adventure and you go for it. Cycling in the snow!
This is easier said than done. After all, snow is not just soft sand or gravel. No, it is snow. Sometimes unpredictable, sometimes a bit powdery. As snow should be. That doesn't mean you couldn't cycle in it, quite the contrary! It could be great fun. But how do you go about it? We have listed some tips.
1. Choose the right tyres
Captain obvious here! It should be obvious that you need tyres with good tread. Surely 40mm+ is the minimum and look for a nice coarse tread. You need that to maintain sufficient grip on snow. Thicker tyres with studs or spikes are 'the way to go'. Also make sure there is little pressure in the tyres, otherwise you will still slip.
2. Quieter driving
Again, this may sound like a no-brainer, but still. It is important to adjust your pace to the snow conditions. Don't ride too fast and adjust your speed if you find you are struggling to keep grip. But it is therefore important to keep moving forward. Otherwise, of course, you will just fall over. Through deep snow it is of course important to keep delivering power, but even then: everything in moderation. Unless, of course, you like to make a snow angel.
3. Staying sharp
Stay alert: Keep your eyes open for slippery spots and other obstacles such as branches and stones that may be hidden under the snow. Be extra careful when cornering and braking, because before you know it you will be on your snuff. Trust your instincts. Should you find yourself in a slippery spot, it is very important to brake as little as possible. Because it is precisely when you start braking that you start sliding and once you start sliding....
4. Preparing for the cold
Use panniers or a backpack: Make sure you have enough water and food with you to hydrate and some food during the ride. One of the things you forget when it is cold (snow is almost automatically cold) is enough food and drink. It is also important that if it is very cold,to bring warm clothes and other equipment to protect you from the cold.
For great clothing tips, also check our winter clothing guide.
5. Warm-up
Because you need to be properly sharp and you are also going out into the cold, a good warm-up is really recommended. Anyway, it's not a bad idea if you do a warm-up and some stretching before cycling. As with any sport or hobby, it is important to warm up your muscles before cycling in the snow. Do some light stretches and do a short warm-up before you set off to activate your muscles and help prevent injuries.
Want to see what we really do in the snow? Then check out our cool adventure at Landal GreenParks Sallandse Heuvelrug!
