RECENT POSTS
Getting Ready for Winter
Don’t endure the winter, enjoy.
First things first: protect yourself against the elements. We prefer layers to keep comfortable in changing conditions. Climbing can get you hot and sweaty (ebike riders ignore), while descending can make you chilly.
Get yourself the following bits of kit as a bare minimum:
Waterproof jacket, waterproof cycling socks, winter cycling gloves, thermal or merino base layer, neck warmer, clear or yellow tint glasses.
Get yourself the following bits of kit as a bare minimum:
Waterproof jacket, waterproof cycling socks, winter cycling gloves, thermal or merino base layer, neck warmer, clear or yellow tint glasses.
Merino layers are a great option for keeping warm in winter. We’ve found long riding trousers help to keep the worst of the water out of your shoes on those really wet rides and also keep knee pads mud free, so that’s one less thing to wash.
Keeping your hands warm will not only increase the fun factor of mountain biking but it's also a safety consideration. Not being able to operate the brakes will quickly end your ride in the worst way possible. Keep your feet warm and dry with waterproof socks and warm shoes, and you'll be pedalling for hours. Wear as many layers as needed and pack spares (zipties and duct tape) in a backpack. Be prepared for whatever the weather and emergencies throw at you.
You need to see where you're going, so a pair of clear glasses is a great idea. You can keep the mud out of your eyes and wipe them clean if you start to get crossed up on the corners. We use Viris glasses (with prescription inserts) and they’ve made a massive difference to our night riding.
Mudguards
Using front and rear mudguards will protect you and your bike.
A front mudguard, like our EVO Mudhugger, on the fork keeps your face and kit clean (well, mostly anyway). It also protects the wiper seals in your fork lowers from accumulating too much dirt. This means you will be able to reduce the wear and tear from riding in the mud.
Using a rear mudguard, like our MK2 Rear Mudhugger, will keep you dry, more comfortable and warmer on those long winter nights. At the same time, it will protect your dropper post and BB linkages from the worst of the muck and mud.
No more cleaning up, emptying and drying out a filthy backpack, trousers can be hung to dry the lower legs only and riding tops and waterproofs won’t need washing very often either, extending their life significantly.
Lights
Winter riding means you're more likely to ride in the dark.
Lights for off road mountain biking should be extremely bright. The best way of ensuring you don’t miss anything is to use a set of lights mounted to your handlebars, and another to your helmet. The benefit of having a light on your helmet is that it'll illuminate exactly what you're looking at rather than what your bike is pointing at.
We’ve been using the Magicshine lights for a few years now and can vouch for their brightness and reliability.
Using the minimum power settings on climbs and only max on the downhills will give you maximum time out on the hill before they run out.
Don’t forget a rear red light if you have to use roads to get to and from the trails too.
Maintenance
Getting into the routine of cleaning your bike will pay off in the long run. You’ll save money on spare parts and have more time riding instead of repairing.
When you get home, if you do nothing else wipe the chain down, so it’s cleanish for the next lube.
Waxing or lubricating your chain regularly after a wash and before you ride will protect your drive train from seizing up. We’ve been using Boeshield T9 for years now, we sell it on the Mudhugger website.
Pedals
If you usually ride clipped-in, you might find flat pedals a better option in winter. Owing to the slippier conditions, you'll be better able to dab on muddy trails to stay upright. Jumping on and off the bike is also a lot more common as the trails deteriorate. Having mountain bike shoes without a cleat gives you better grip while walking.
Muddy conditions can also mean clipless pedals get covered in mud easily. It can sometimes be tricky to free the locking mechanism of mud while you're riding. Flat pedals, on the other hand, easily shed mud.
Tyres
Fitting proper mud-friendly tyres to your bike will make a massive difference to your enjoyment when the trails get sloppy. A deeper profile but narrower width tyre can cruise through the worst of it.
We’ve been using Specialized Hillbilly T9’s for many years now and can highly recommend them and prices are very reasonable. Make the effort to set up tubeless and you’ll be able to run lower pressures for more grip and less chance of punctures, which are never fun on a wet/snowy winter night ride.
Now that you have everything you need, get out and enjoy the winter, don't endure it.
