{"id":59550,"date":"2024-02-07T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-02-07T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/2641184a-43bf-403c-85a0-50eaa7a41259"},"modified":"2024-02-07T10:59:47","modified_gmt":"2024-02-07T09:59:47","slug":"how-to-cycle-in-snow-and-ice","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/how-to-cycle-in-snow-and-ice\/","title":{"rendered":"How to cycle in snow and ice"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cold conditions call for extra care \u2013 or specialist equipment <\/p>

By Paul Norman\n <\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 07 February 2024 at 09:00 AM<\/p>

\n\n

Riding a bike in snow and ice is tricky. With only two wheels and your balance to keep you upright, it\u2019s easy to slip and injure yourself. Cold conditions also call for careful preparation to ensure you\u2019re safe and comfortable when out riding.<\/p>

Riding in snow and ice doesn\u2019t have to be a no-no, though. Once you\u2019re layered up for winter cycling<\/a>, it can be one of the most enjoyable riding experiences.\u00a0<\/p>

In this guide, we explain the essential tips for cycling in the snow and ice, as well as changes you can make to your bike for the conditions.<\/p>

Tips for cycling in snow and ice<\/h2>

Check the weather<\/h3>
Check the forecast before heading out of the door. – Robert Smith \/ Immediate Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Keep an eye on the forecast before you head out, to see if the temperature is expected to be close to or below zero, which is when you can expect ice to form on untreated roads. Windchill isn\u2019t your friend, either, so check the wind speed and direction.<\/p>

Tell someone where you\u2019re going<\/h3>
\"Man
Make sure someone knows where you’re going and when you expect to be back. – Andy Lloyd \/ OurMedia<\/figcaption><\/figure>

If you\u2019re heading out in icy or snowy conditions, let someone know where you\u2019re going and when you\u2019ll be back, particularly if you\u2019re planning a ride somewhere more remote.\u00a0<\/p>

If something does go wrong and you have to stop, hypothermia can set in quickly if you\u2019re dressed to exercise. A good winter cycling jacket<\/a> and a pair of cycling gloves<\/a> are essentials, while it\u2019s also good sense to carry a survival bag if you\u2019re heading into the wilds.<\/p>

The distress alert and track me features available on most cycling computers<\/a> and cycling watches<\/a> can help here, if you have your phone with you and are riding somewhere with decent mobile reception.<\/p>

Choose your route<\/h3>
\"Male
More major roads are likely to be clear of snow and ice. – Robert Smith \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

If you\u2019re heading out in icy conditions, it may be safer to choose a road that has more traffic, rather than side roads that are nicer when the weather is better. Main roads are more likely to have been gritted and the passage of vehicles will help to keep ice off the surface. Look out when making turns onto side roads, which may not be clear of ice or snow.<\/p>

Be especially careful not to carry too much speed on descents<\/a>. Turns can have icy patches quite far out into the road, they may be overshadowed and the bottom of a hill is usually colder than the top \u2013 and therefore more likely to be icy.\u00a0<\/p>

Consider truncating your ride or doing loops closer to home if the conditions are iffy.<\/p>

Anticipate<\/h3>
\"icy
Be prepared to put a foot down or walk if the road or trail is icy. – Tom Marvin \/ Immediate Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

When riding, try to anticipate what\u2019s ahead. If there\u2019s obvious ice or compacted snow on the road or trail, slow down before you get to it and try to take a straight line through without braking. Be ready to dab a foot if you need to, or to walk if it\u2019s slippery.<\/p>

Beware of off-camber ice or packed snow, which will increase the tendency for your tyres to lose grip and slide out from under you.\u00a0<\/p>

If you can avoid riding over ice or snow, do so.<\/p>

Look out for areas that are in the shade, or may have been earlier in the day, because ice is more likely to form here.<\/p>

Ride slowly and assertively <\/h3>
\"Man
Take your time in icy conditions. – Jeroen Jumelet \/ Gett Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>

A sub-zero ride isn\u2019t the time to try to set a personal best. Ride carefully, look out for ice or obstacles and be prepared to slow down to get across them.\u00a0<\/p>

Use your brakes gently and focus more on your rear than your front wheel, because it\u2019s easier to correct a rear-wheel slide.<\/p>

Don\u2019t ride in the gutter. Other vehicles will usually have made tracks further out in the road, which are more likely to be snow and ice-free. In contrast, the edges of the road may still be frozen, or if not they\u2019ll be wet.\u00a0<\/p>

So try to ride where cars and other vehicles have passed. Also take care at junctions with untreated roads, where snow may form a tail out onto a more major road. Even cars leaving driveways may have deposited snow on the road.<\/p>

The only exception is snowy, untreated minor roads, where the snow further out may have been compacted by vehicles, while the edges (or the centre) of the road may offer more grip if you have treaded tyres. Look out for places where vehicles have turned on and off the road, and may have compacted the snow, making it slippery.<\/p>

It\u2019s similar off-road, where you\u2019ll want to choose a line that hasn\u2019t been compacted too heavily by other trail users or turned icy, to ensure your tyres get the grip you need.<\/p>

Take to the turbo<\/h3>
\"Screen
A session on the turbo trainer may be a better option in poor conditions. – Zwift<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Although riding outdoors can be invigorating if you\u2019ve been stuck indoors all week, a cold, icy day may not be the best for a ride.\u00a0<\/p>

If the conditions look iffy, it might be a good moment to dust off the smart trainer<\/a> and ride indoors.<\/a> There\u2019s something gratifying about riding in shorts and a summer baselayer in the depths of winter and still being too hot.<\/p>

Prep your bike<\/h2>

Preparing your road bike<\/a>, mountain bike or gravel bike for icy conditions will help you stay safe and make the most of cycling in winter<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>

Get your tyres sorted<\/h3>
\"Bicycle
Studded tyres will give you more grip on compacted snow and ice. – Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>

First up is tyre choice. On soft snow, a tyre with a tread will help you keep moving, although it might not add much if it\u2019s icy. A wider tyre will usually add more grip than a narrower one.<\/p>

If you\u2019re riding often in hard-packed snow and ice, you can buy studded tyres<\/a>, which cut into the surface. The downside is they\u2019re quite expensive, heavy and have limited application.<\/p>

Lower tyre pressures<\/a> will up your grip too, so let some air out of your tyres. Tubeless tyres can be run at lower pressures than tubed ones, without the danger of a pinch flat. If you\u2019re riding on soft snow, this will provide a cushion from the ground, so you can drop pressure even more.<\/p>

Much like mud, snow can sometimes stick to tyres and even clog your frame and stop your wheels from turning or ice up rim brakes. Adequate clearance is important and you might want to consider removing mudguards if the conditions aren\u2019t slushy. The last thing you want on a cold day is to have to constantly stop to clear your frame.<\/p>

Lower your saddle<\/h3>
\"YT
You’ll be able to lower your centre of gravity with a dropper post. – Finlay Anderson \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Dropping your saddle a little may help when riding in snow or ice. It will lower your centre of mass and also make it easier to put a foot down if your bike slides. Mountain bikers are well served here, thanks to many of the best mountain bikes<\/a> coming with dropper posts<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>

Swap your pedals and shoes<\/h3>
\"Fizik
Winter boots with a treaded sole will help both on and off the bike. – Andy Lloyd \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

It\u2019s worth considering a swap of pedals (and the accompanying cycling shoes) for riding in the cold.\u00a0<\/p>

If you ride with clipless pedals, a set of double-sided mountain bike pedals<\/a> is a lot easier to clip into and out of than single-sided SPD-SL-type pedals. You can lower the release tension too, to help you get a foot down if needed.\u00a0<\/p>

Riding with flat pedals<\/a> is even better when it\u2019s icy, but there\u2019s less choice of well-insulated footwear unless you revert to hiking boots or use winter cycling shoes<\/a> without fitting cleats.<\/p>

SPD and flat pedal shoes have the added benefit of grips on the soles, so you\u2019re less likely to skid on icy surfaces if you have to put a foot down or when you\u2019re off the bike. Coffee stop floors are also often wet and slippery in the winter.<\/p>

Break out the gravel or mountain bike<\/h3>
\"Trek
A gravel bike or mountain bike is a good option in cold conditions. – Andy Lloyd \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Even if you have a dedicated winter road bike<\/a>, cold days are a good time to head off-road, on a mountain or gravel bike<\/a>. <\/p>

You’re less likely to encounter slippery surfaces off-road. If it has snowed, the snow off-road is less likely to be compacted, while if it\u2019s icy the surface is likely to afford more grip. It\u2019s easier to spot iced-up puddles too; if they\u2019ve got a coating of snow, they\u2019re usually okay to ride over.<\/p>

A gravel bike or mountain bike will provide more grip on tarmac as well.\u00a0<\/p>

Fat bikes<\/a> are another great choice, having originally been designed for snowy and icy conditions. <\/p>

Ride with lights<\/h3>
\"Niterider
Bike lights are a wise idea when the sun is low. – Ashley Quinlan \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

We\u2019d advise using front and rear bike lights<\/a> to up your visibility whenever you ride, but it\u2019s particularly important in winter when the sun is low in the sky and can dazzle other road users. Add snow to the equation and drivers\u2019 visibility through a windscreen can be even worse.<\/p>

With short winter days, you\u2019re also more likely to be riding towards dawn or dusk, when lights are essential.<\/p>

Use a thermal water bottle<\/h3>
\"Zefal
An insulated water bottle should help stop the contents from freezing. – Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

On longer rides in sub-zero temperatures, water in a bottle can freeze. Even if it\u2019s cold, you still need to drink, so consider investing in insulated bottles<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>

Although they\u2019re not immune to freezing, the contents of an insulated bottle filled to the brim will usually stay warm for a couple of hours. Once you start to drink from it, the liquid will slosh around though, which accelerates cooling.\u00a0<\/p>

The ultimate is a vacuum bottle, although this will be rigid and more difficult to drink from while pedalling than a squidgy insulated bottle.<\/p>

Clean your bike<\/h3>
\"Cleaning
Wash your bike down when you get back to remove salt and grime. – Alex Evans \/ Our Media<\/figcaption><\/figure>

Once you\u2019re home from cycling in snow and ice, it\u2019s a good idea to clean your bike<\/a>. Damp conditions can quickly play havoc with your bike, particularly the drivetrain, so if you\u2019ve accumulated snow or ice on your bike, clean it off and lubricate the chain.<\/p>

Salt is particularly damaging and can corrode components quickly, not just in the drivetrain. If the roads have been gritted, it\u2019s even more important to hose your bike down and lubricate, even if that\u2019s the last thing you want to do on a sub-zero afternoon when it\u2019s beginning to get dark.<\/p>

More in-depth winter cycling advice<\/h2>

So that\u2019s cycling in snow and ice covered, but what about winter cycling when it\u2019s not so bad out?<\/p>

For more in-depth advice, check out our guides to winter road cycling, winter mountain biking<\/a> and how to prepare your gravel bike for winter<\/a>.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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