#Checklist for long mtb ride how to
#Checklist for long mtb ride skin

It is the first and most important option.

10 Awesome Mountain Bike Maintenance TipsДЎ0 Awesome Mountain Bike Maintenance Tips 1.

For me, this is the most fun youвЂ™ll have on a bike all winter. Some of your fingers stay together for added heat sharing but you can still grab the brake levers easily.ДЄ lot of people opt not to ride on the days when snow is falling. For the coldest weather I opt for вЂњLobster ClawвЂќ style gloves, whichВ are like a mitten split down the middle. Mittens will be the warmest but they make shifting and braking difficult. Your arms and fingers on the other hand (pun intended), are not doing much. Your body has to provide more oxygen to your legs and as a result your toes get a boost. Your toes get added circulation because youвЂ™re using your legs to pedal. YouвЂ™ll probably find fingers are the coldest part of your body when riding in winter. Wool or synthetic socks are a must, and waterproof boots or shoe covers if youвЂ™re riding clipless make all the difference in wet weather. TheyвЂ™re the farthest parts of your body from the heart and theyвЂ™re more exposed to the elements, so itвЂ™s important to keep them insulated. The cardio gets your body temperature up, but that doesnвЂ™t always translate to warm fingers and toes. Usually your core stays nice and toasty while youвЂ™re cycling due to the physical activity. It stops the rain and wind from getting to you, so it should be a breathable waterproof material (like GoreTex) or at least water resistant. Shell Layer вЂ“ This layer is your final defense against winter. Opt for wool, down, or a synthetic fiber like fleece. Insulation Layer вЂ“ This is generally a looser fitting, thicker layer that provides warmth.

#Checklist for long mtb ride skin

They have much better moisture wicking properties than cotton for example, which will hold moisture next to your skin and make you feel even colder. Choosing your materials and layers carefully is crucial.В The idea is to have a base layer closest to your skin which can wick moisture away from you, a mid layer to provide insulation, and an outer or shell layer to protect you from the elements.Д«ase Layer вЂ“ The base layer should ideally be wool or a synthetic material like polyester or a microfiberВ fabric.

#Checklist for long mtb ride how to

WeвЂ™ve covered how to prepareВ your bike, but what about yourself? How you dress can be the difference between enjoying the fresh air of the great outdoors andВ regretting your decision to go outside in the first place. Fixing a flat in the cold is no fun, but itвЂ™s better than walking home. You should do this year round, but itвЂ™s especially important in the winter months when being stranded on the side of the road in the freezing cold is a much bigger problem.

If youвЂ™re riding in rural areas where streetlights are few and far between, invest in a front light powerful enough to light your way. Front and rear lights ensure youвЂ™ll beВ seen by drivers, pedestrians, other cyclists. The winter months bring shorter days and earlier sunsets.В YouвЂ™ll inevitably find yourself riding in the dark even if you donвЂ™t plan to. I usually recommend going for a less expensiveВ tire for winter because they take a beating. If you normally ride a smooth road tire, switch to something knobbier. Even still, having tires with aВ substantialВ tread helps. If youвЂ™re in an urban area where the roads are usually thoroughly cleared, theyвЂ™re probably overkill. They actually have metal studs embedded in the tire tread for extra traction. If youвЂ™re often dealing with ice and hard packed areas of snow, then studded tires will be your best friend. The need for special studded tires depends on your area and where youвЂ™re riding. All that ice and road salt on your components corrode them faster and shorten their life span. You want to avoid situations like the picture above. Fenders also help to keep the rest of your bike dryВ which means less time spentВ cleaning after your rides. Staying dry is essential to staying warm, and even whenВ thereвЂ™s no precipitationВ falling, the slow melt of accumulated snow and ice means roads are almost always wet. If there is one necessary accessory for your bike in winter, itвЂ™s fenders. YouвЂ™ll thank yourself later when you can easily wipe off thatВ slush from your ride without worrying about months of caked on grease and dirt underneath. ItвЂ™s crucial to regularly clean your bike in winter, andВ itвЂ™s best to head into winter with a clean, lubricated bike in top condition. Harsh weather and road salt and sand can quickly corrodeВ components and contribute to accelerated wear and tear. Riding in the winter is tough on your equipment. Here are some necessitiesВ to prepare you and your bike for winter cycling.ДЎ. Whether you normally get in the saddle for commuting, fitness, or pleasure, you can still have comfortable and enjoyable rides even in cold weather.

ThereвЂ™s no reason winter should stop you from riding your bike.