Top 5 Winter Riding Tips | Make Winter Cycling More Fun

Riding in the winter can be just as fun as riding in the summer, but you'll definitely benefit from these tips to make you more comfortable, and more motivated.

Between them, Dan and Matt have ridden through over 50 winters, and they can probably remember most of them too. That's a lot of experience right there so let them take you through 5 of the hottest tips.

Clothing dominates, making sure you are always prepared with an emergency rain cape in your back pocket for when the weather inevitably takes a turn for the worst.

Similarly, if you are tempted to stop on route in a cafe, and who isn't, take a spare under jersey with you to stop you getting cold.

Then, always ride with lights through the winter to give you the best possible chance of being seen by other road users, particularly if you like wearing black!

And then finally, take the opportunity to explore new roads and places. Keep things fresh!

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Leave us a comment below!

[george]

Very useful information, i'm not much of a cold weather rider but your tips are convincing me that it can be more tolerable.

[woozertoo]

Matt wrapping Dan's toes in foil. The cycling training partners' equivalent of going all the way.

[stephenhewitt]

Beans on toast at the cafe. Proper old school. Respect. 😀

[geryon]

This felt more like autumn riding tips for me. No tips for dealing with ice and snow?

[marksmithWAH]

How about the feature "Top 5 excuses not to ride in the winter"

[Geeraffe]

fascinating stuff. My winter tip, emigrate to the tropics, I haven't had to wrap up for winter rides in years .

[lisapet]

3:25 Tried it today. Got some protection from the drizzle. But some portions of foil got shredded on a ride and I had a FOILage confetti in the office when changing shoes. Thanks Matt for the Friday entertainment tip!

[themorfeeis]

all this winter prep talk makes me love living in Arizona that much more. We get maybe 1.5 months of cold....

[SwedishHouseFifa]

Looks like this was recorded on a nice sunny summer day in the UK...

[Ouzkp]

any chance of a behind the scenes video ? (how you film, where your based, how dan styles his hair) #askGCN #torqueback

[lucalimo]

3:50 Hey Matt! Tell me something about your new "light-weight" LEDs, I can't wait to try them out!

[scootosan]

I got Frost Bite as a kid so I will try the Foil remedy. Thanks

[alanwaterworth]

was that beans on toast at the cafe? good to know this great traditional British cycling favourite is still in fashion! :P

[pedallinraw]

Lights for sure no excuse I use them in the day too, used loads of lights current ones are Bontrager Flare R and Niteflux vids on my channel ;)

[kiverrussell]

My cold feet solution for the longer, colder winter outings:
- sticky, disposable "Hot Hands" feet warmers that conveniently stick to the outside of thin inner socks
- thick "Heat Holder" thermal socks over that (much better than any other winter sock I've tried, even if they will only last one winter it's worth it and they are quite cheap)
- shoes with thick overshoes over all that = comfortable feet even with my appalling circulation!

[lisapet]

3:19 I used Matt's advise about using foil layer. My foil got pretty badly shredded inside the shoes and I set a perfect FOILage salute when changing in the office shower room. But on the other hand, I am sure that the socks freshness (or lack of there of) was not detectable by The Bike Radar - foil shielding, you know.

[leedorney]

Ja see all the traffic', really thankful Matt signalled right at that junction 1.15 😜

[justinlariviere]

For cold hands put a pair of latex gloves under ur normal long finger gloves works so well

[keriezy]

#wintertip I carry a few sandwich baggies to cover my lights in heavy water conditions to avoid malfunctions. Rooster tails can short the lights causing them to turn off until they dry, and a wet baggie can make your lights more visible.

[eamonnjferris]

Wear a helmet with visor or a cap under your helmet it really helps keep the rain and snow out of you eyes and off your face.
You can get cycling head bands that cover your they are amazing.
If you get caught out by heavy snow try letting some air out of your tyres for better traction.