9 Ways To Stay Motivated And Beat The Winter Blues

January is well documented as the time of year in which people struggle the most to find motivation, and this can also apply to mountain biking. But don't let the winter blues stop you from enjoying your MTB, we've got some useful tips to keep you motivated and get you back on the trails.

What do you do to stay motivated at this time of year? Share it with us in the comments below 👇

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[HavyHaulr]

in Australia we get the “summer blues”.... 3 weeks of mid 30 celcius temps after xmas have me cracking beers in the shed every arvo rather than going riding ....beers bike beers bike...um beers again...

[raeward]

I have depression and anxiety, and also SAD (winters blues) on top. I thoroughly agree that exercise will lift your mood, anything, even just a short ride locally will help. However, if the weather is truly vile, my short bike ride tends to take me to the gym for weights or swimming. Any exercise is better than none and your body and brain will thank you.

[aljowen]

Winter riding is pretty damn fun anyway. In muddy conditions there is loads to learn about making proper use of berms, and when the ground is frozen, the grip levels can actually be quite good. Its just the clean up after the mud that brings dread.

[mtbiata]

Omg it’s 2 AM here in California, I should go to sleep. After this vid tho!

[breathevolume]

In the Seattle area it’s frustrating because it’s always so dull. I stare at my bike all the time and can’t wait for the season to come back!

[mhe]

Well after watching this video am going out for short skills sessions. Also a chance to check out winter gear. Thanks. Motivated!

[donreed]

Day off tomorrow so I'm off to Plumpton in Sussex for an off road adventure! Cheers for the encouragement! 46 and just starting! 🤣🤣

[helir]

Mart I needed this vid chap, I was really tempted yesterday but man it was chilly - and ended up staying inside. Looking forward to a little sun just to keep the temp in my bones when I’m out next.

[peterowen]

Rode canal trail 40° the other day. 48 hours before that it was single digit temps and then it rained. Lots of slush and mud to work on balance and just plain staying upright on my bike. :)

[Raffini]

My local trail is nothing but sand. Deep winter is the best time to ride that thing.

[keefff]

Me and my bike pals are doing the southdowns way in both directions at the end of may so that's me motivated 👍

[ulbricht]

We have freezing temperatures right now and it's amazing cause the woods are frozen which makes the trails faster then ever. Also building and scouting for new trails works well now :)

[th_js]

It's -30°C here.... And I just rode 5km on my bike :)
It was actually 10, because later I rode back the 5km home)

[colinwinkelmann]

we just had a snowstorm here in Wisconsin a couple days ago, didnt stop me from drifting and skidding around the city on my bike, however the 9 F weather that followed has kept me indoors

[dobsonlol]

30°C here in Christchurch, New Zealand today british lad supping up the kiwi summer!

[nickwatkins]

If you live in the UK 🇬🇧 and come to Australia in summer for a bike holiday you’ll MELT

[natejohnston]

We don't even have mud, we just have inches of snow and feet of snow drift with freezing cold wind!! I still love to ride though!!

[mhe]

4° F here No go! Have a fat biking trip in Finland planned. Can't wait.

[SacrificialHam]

If you’re anywhere near Alberta make the trip to B-Line bike park in Calgary. Worth the drive no matter where you’re coming from.

[Hans]

I’m dealing with opposite problems, I have plenty of motivation to go riding but I don’t have enough daylight. After work it’s already dark outside and I’m not okay with riding after dusk. So My only chance is Saturday and Sunday. And riding to work is out of question because our “bike storage room” is poorly secured and I don’t want to take chances of losing my brand new Canyon Spectral.