Riding in the cold
Embrace the winter chill and fine-tune your skillset, says Liam Holohan
Turbo trainers and indoor sessions are great for maintaining fitness levels over the winter but venturing out into the cold for regular road rides still has its merits. Pro coach Liam Holohan insists that riding in the cold not only builds physical stamina and mental resilience, but also equips the rider with a greater range of road-handling skills, and a true appreciation of getting out on the road more often when the good weather returns. Group rides in the winter help build bonds and iron out strategy ahead of the new season, too. There are plenty of plus points, but to fine-tune your frosty condition skillset, try these pro tips…
01 SURFACE LAYERS
It’s an oldie but it’s true. You want to layer up rather than rely on one big warm jacket. The reason being that in winter, when you set out first thing in the morning, it’s usually around zero degrees, but a few hours into the ride that could rise to 10 degrees. If using layers, it means that you’re continually dressed for the conditions. The last thing you want is to be wet through with sweat, which will lead to you getting cold in the same way as if it were raining. Remember, water conducts heat 25 times faster than air.
02 SPARE PAIR
In much the same way that you can strip off layers if you get warm, you want to be able to put layers on if the temperature drops – especially if it starts raining. So, it’s a good idea to carry spares. If it’s a really cold and wet day, I will always take a spare pair of gloves, so when the first pair gets sodden, I can swap to the second pair to get me home. Another great spare to have on hand, particularly if you’re stopping at a café, is a backup undervest. That way, you don’t have a damp undervest against your skin when setting off again after your brew.
03 ON GUARD
I know it’s not very pro, but neither is being dropped because you couldn’t complete your endurance rides due to your feet being too cold. A front mudguard will keep spray off your feet, enabling them to stay warmer for longer.
It’s the same with the rear, which will stop your backside getting wet through from the damp winter roads. Not only that, your bike and your riding comrades will thank you.
04 HOT STUFF
During the cold pre-season races, the team car will often hand up warm tea in bottles to the pros. You probably don’t
WHEN 0FF ROADING IN THE COLD, GRAVEL RIDING OR MT BIN G IS A GREAT WAY TO STAY WARM
have that luxury; however, there are various thermo-insulated bottles on the market that you could use to similar effect. Fill them up with sweet tea to give you some extra calories.
05 OFF ROAD
Gravel riding or MTBing is a great way to stay warm, so think about swapping skinny tyres for fat ones. Because of the increased rolling resistance, your average speed will be lower, as will the wind resistance; at 30kph, at around zero degrees, that equates to a wind chill of -14°C. The average speed will be much lower off-road, so will reduce this effect. Not only that, but you’re typically more sheltered if riding forestry trails, which will also combat that wind chill factor.