7 Things We Wish We'd Known About Winter Riding

[@claudemartin5907]

I live in Switzerland and when it snows I go out with my fatbike which has more than 10 cm width on the tyres. It really helps with the cold. The extreme rolling resistance makes you really heat up.

[@emmanueljammes6481]

Just be honest : you filmed this video in the UK in the middle of july !

[@gcn]

hottest day of the year!

[@cipradu2812]

.😅😅

[@hsk2978]

is there any difference?

[@shaun7163]

Filmed during a Candian winter 😉

[@johnnunn8688]

@@shaun7163what is a Candian, is it like a candle in a tin?

[@relentless-io]

Best part of a winter ride is walking back through the door to warmth after. You have to go out to earn that feeling.

[@derekreaper3869]

A huge amount of body heat is lost through the scalp. You can actually get your hands slightly warmer by wearing a head cover. I am a Canadian who has worked in the high Arctic, the Arctic and the Rocky Mountains. A helmet liner is a terrific tip to give your viewers.

[@highflyin99]

Tubeless was an absolute game changer for my commuting during the winter in Oregon. I got tired of trying to replace a tube in the rain with wet, freezing hands, then by the time I got riding again my body cooled down so the first 5-10 minutes afterwards would be super cold again. I've had as many punctures (that required stopping to repair) in the last 2.5 years since going tubeless that I would normally have in two months during the winter. And except for just a couple of those tubeless punctures that didn't seal, I could use a bacon strip, add some air, and be on my way a lot faster than changing a tube would take.

[@lars3509]

I don't see the issue. Just close your dental practice over the winter and fly somewhere where it is warm and comfortable.

[@victorakoma677]

My problem with cycling in the winter was never the cold, but the winds. Those cross winds get absolutely horrendous especially on flat bars.

[@cuebj]

My problem is remembering the horrors of commuting ten miles each way or even further in 1970s, often at night. Christophe clips and Binda straps put feet in a metal cage - plastic bag over feet & pedals helped. Ski mittens. Wool balaclava. Various layers over body, long johns on legs under running leggings. I didn't have cycling clothes. Freezing fog with wet roads, British Gypsum lorries up my backside with Wonderlights. Folk today don't know how lucky they are! I'd arrive with frozen head with long icicles hanging from my beard. Apparently, it look quite dramatic!

[@victorakoma677]

@cuebj sounds roughly like me last winter😂. Only I had a 12 mile commute. Can't tell which was worse in the dark, the motorway or those back roads with the steepest descents you'll ever see.

[@fotmheki]

I use 2 mm neoprene gloves made for scuba. Excellent wind stopper, if getting wet will lose heat less quickly than others. The only cons for me is that my hands get sweaty, but it's a price I'm willing to pay

[@phil4455]

I can’t believe that people will pay £X,000s for bike to use in winter and not use mudguards. Good mudguards will keep you and your mates clean and dry. If you don’t have mudguards on our club rides in winter you are banished to the back or even off the back

[@clarklowe5632]

35mm tubeless tires, mudguards, warm gloves, and Little Hotties Toe Warmers in my shoes with toe covers. Makes it nice.

[@arilaine6113]

In southern Finland we have almost 40cm of snow and today was -11 degrees C...

[@michaeloriordan237]

How was your ride? :)

[@arilaine6113]

@michaeloriordan237 unfortunatelly I don't go riding during winter. I don't have suitable gear or winter bike. And it's too cold ;) For me winter is more like daily walk and being grumpy because it's not a summer :D

[@tobyarcher7623]

​@@michaeloriordan237 I used to live and ride in Finland. I commuted into central Helsinki if it wasn't too cold. I got frost-nip in toes one time at -17 so stopped riding at below about -10. The most important thing though is that the municipalities keep the cycle paths ploughed, then as long as you have studded tyres it's fine. Deep fresh snow just doesn't work!

[@michaeloriordan237]

@@tobyarcher7623 you’re both braver than I am. I live in Canada and I put the bike away by December. Honestly, it’s less the cold than the winter winds that get me.

[@jeffreylee5770]

Bar Mitts helped my hands stay warm, even when it goes far below freezing. They were a lot better than winter gloves, even electric heated gloves, that sort of work. They are also big enough so you can wear gloves inside them for the coldest below freezing days with high winds. They do look big and bulky though, so they are for commuters more than athletes, perhaps.

[@123moof]

100% agree. I wear thin full finger gloves in mine down to freezing (about all I have to deal with), and usually my hands are warm enough to still sweat quite a bit. I bring spare gloves and cycling cap to have a dry set to swap into after the coffee shop.

[@dejanrancic7409]

I'm having a blast! 11 days of commuting to work this month, 250 kilometres covered, all the gear I've got does its job. Got caught by rain once, but on the up side of that experience, the windbreaker/rain jacket proved its worth! It's handy to have on even when riding after rain, as mudguards can only do so much on a 29-er set up for road riding. Rain's expected over the weekend and next week in Belgrade, which will cut my mileage, but as long as it doesn't rain or snow, I'll be pedalling into 2025.

[@did4h2k]

gloves: those latex gloves doctors use (or you mum when cleaning) keep you hands really warm worn under your actual thin gloves.... only downside: you will have to pour out roughly 244ml of sweat after your ride.....

[@VictorElGreco]

I would add, don’t take that “off-season” bit *too* fanatically and ride at too low an intensity. A ride in Zones 2-3 (with appropriate attire) will keep you all nice and warm. Yes, ride less volume but don’t just coast in the cold.

[@gcn]

and watch out for those chilly descents! ❄️

[@davearnold6016]

Always carry a pair of latex gloves to keep hands clean and dry for when having to deal with a puncture or mechanical. Nothing worse than oily gritty wet hands then having to wipe them off on grass or worse kit.

[@justride52]

Oregon in winter is like UK year round. Ski gloves work well to stay warm and most are water resistant. Some good shoe covers will keep you warm a few hours as well.

[@tetley28]

Just done 201km yesterday in strong headwinds and ridden in cold and very wet weather. I think by riding indoors when weather is cold and wet you missed the opportunity to build mental resilience for when weather takes turn for the worst on events

[@thierrybonnaire2442]

They forgot to mention about lithium battery heated socks, it has been a game changer for winter riding and I live in NYC

[@emmanueljammes6481]

I hate winter riding, my feet hurt under 5°C. I struggle this for more than 10 years, I found no real solution. But Zwift is a great alternative, now !

[@JKK4934]

Winter shoes and overshoes on top for good measure should keep you toastie and dry. Also heat your boots up with some warmers for that ready brek glow when you set off! 😊

[@JitinMisra]

@@JKK4934but I find those are effective, but below 30 degree fareignheight , cycling is hard

[@The_Original_Yanis]

Overahoes and switch to a lighter gear to get the warm blood pumping!

[@neiltoyn7678]

Two pairs of thin socks ....whatever you do make sure you leave enough space to wiggle your toes

[@irfuel]

Get heated socks

[@123moof]

Opens video about winter riding while barehanded... Pro-tip: Pogies like Bar Mitts are great and beat thick gloves any day. A frame bag also lets you bring and stash layers as the temperature varies. For mud-guards, get full coverage ones that have a buddy flap and cover enough of the front wheel to keep forward spray from coming back at you.

[@wildsurfer12]

I love winter riding, it all depends on your planning.

[@gcn]

so true!

[@user-ve3gh5xg9q]

everything for the people

[@CyclingAlgarvePortugal]

Number 8. During winter visit Algarve for riding :)

[@gcn]

a lovely area to ride!

[@CyclingAlgarvePortugal]

@@gcn can't complain 😎

[@haggardgrin]

Bar mitts make all the difference for me!

[@johnnunn8688]

Specific bike for winter. Fixed wheel, bigger tyres, mudguards, freeze.

[@FlyingPastilla]

Plus you can use it to cruise around in the summer with a smaller ratio

[@johnfitzgerald1192]

4:54 Now I got to use the bathroom, and I didn't bring my lock.... ........Ok. This is how it works and it only works once. So when you say it say with confidence and slightly loud. You can have no interruption when speaking to the laws of attraction.... ........"Don't noooobody steeeel my biiicycle!" {Car drive bye.} ….."Darn it that one's a deterrent." 5:16 ........"that one won't work. I'll have to take it with me. Well? You do what ya gotta do. On to the bathroom."

[@rnedisc]

"not ride as much. Use running... swimming..." EXCUSE ME!?

[@PaulMapstone]

Hank and Connor are the best!

[@stasacab]

GCN rides pretty much everywhere, but these winter videos are from a country without serious winter conditions.

[@jamespurchase4035]

Tubeless tires are great ... until they aren't, and the puncture overwhelms the limits of the tire goop. Then you're the guy taking 15mins+ to sort yourself out while your friends shiver. Yes to mudguards!

[@shaun7163]

Armoured tyres! They're slow, but I'll take that over winter punctures...

[@irfuel]

Dynaplug ftw

[@MercyKillingsRides]

I just got the Fanttik X9 Ace Mini Bike Tire Pump, it's great, but I still find myself carrying my mini gas system in case something urgent comes up. Still not a tubeless convert, not quite sold on the whole concept of its messiness.

[@Z-u-m-a]

Thermal dipped gloves are brilliant. The ones from hardware stores. Cheap, grippy, and warm, and the dipped bit keeps the wind from your fingers but the material back means your hands can still breathe. Just don't get the really textured ones.

[@gcn]

Interesting, we'd never thought of them!

[@Dzaen2]

Conor: "Mudguards ☺" Hank: "I don't even know this man."

[@mariahamilton5305]

I have a big pack of handwarmers which go in my gloves and boots when it's "too cold" low single figures. But tubeless, I got a puncture that couldn't be fixed with the sealant - bike shop put a tube in, said the tubeless fixing kit plug would just pop straight out next bump on my road tyre. So now half-and-half...

[@HUSKY7-1]

A wider tyre is statistically more likely to run over the object that causes the puncture in the first place. Discuss

[@nickkambitis5340]

Assos make a glove liner that’s silky smooth and fits inside their early winter glove, perfect for use in deep winter.

[@larsm.4255]

This year I won't stop ridin sub zero degrees for the first time as i just ordered a second pair of rims plus Schwalbe Marathon Winter Plus tires which promise to have grip on every road, ice and snow.

[@ahnilatedahnilated7703]

My winter riding actually increases my miles. I ride on Zwift 6 out of 7 days of the week and train to be a better rider outside the following spring.

[@michaelfleming4015]

Tubeless all day every day! Our daughter, up in Alaska, does real winter riding, including fat, studded tires.

[@frankdrebin4932]

About the cold. When it's around 0°, I ask my better half to rub a warming cream (Finalgon) on my back. It's like a nice blanket 😅. It almost keeps the whole body warm. Don't shower afterwards because it burns like hell 🥹.

[@jeffp1377]

Video idea: do that tire width comparison you did with the pirellis (size 28 vs size 40) but do it on some Roubaix segments to compare times and fatigue

[@Kaiserfa]

Gloves need to be wind resistant first of all! Regarding punctures: I've been riding with sealant in inner tubes (have no tubeless capable rims) for around two years now and this still seals about two thirds of the (noticable) punctures.

[@bikeman123]

Two thirds? Does that mean you replace them every 3rd puncture?

[@Kaiserfa]

On average, yes. But not because it's the third but because it doesn't seal the puncture in that case. Not perfect, but still a reduction of road-side inner tube changes of 67%

[@cruachan1191]

Ride Less does seem like a good idea. However, yesterday it seemed like a good idea to sign-up for Festive 500, so we'll see which one is right!

[@gcn]

let us know how you get on!

[@grahambowes756]

Helped a guy out this week who was running tubeless, but hadn’t taken a pump! 🤦‍♂️

[@lechprotean]

4:04 ride less where many coaches would have you do zone 2 buildup during winter, net exactly great advice in terms of scheduling your yearly training to be honest....

[@Harley_Gauge]

For winter I swap to my heavier flat bar and ride the same amount. Different position, builds the legs and puts me in better stead for when I switch back to the carbon roadie. -4 degrees anyone😂

[@johnnunn8688]

Get yourself some Rohan mitts. Not cheap but proper toasty.

[@saddleweary2777]

There is something special about riding below freezing on a sunny crisp morning

[@yamric]

I used toe warmers in the winter months inside my lake winter boots.

[@lilbruin]

Ride less; nap more. Got it. (minus 20-odd and snowing here. Even napping requires gear.)

[@jkwest2009]

Thanks for the tips! What kind of front mudguard was Conor using in this vid?

[@TheAgingCyclist-bk9wt]

Ahh yes… there’s no such thing as bad weather only wrong gear… I ride through winter every year..love it!! Oh I’m in the North Eastern US..

[@Se7enFive]

Props to legends who waited for the rain to record that cinema )

[@Jim-in-NZ-1970]

I am surprised visibility and lighting didn't make the list!

[@fyrexz1093]

Pogies also help keep you warm better than just gloves

[@eleycki]

Riding my roads there chaps!

[@TouringTony]

My first indoor trainer arrives today

[@gcn]

Enjoy!

[@Astronomater]

soumy gloves help a ton but so does adding a vapor barrier to your feet with a plastic shopping bag inside the shoe

[@DougBateson]

I know you're providing info that might be applicable to large parts of Europe and the mid-southern US; but, where I live in Canada most of winter, Jan -March, is on average -5 to-10 C with 35-35 km wind and gusts around 45-65 km. This gives windchill usually about -25 to -35 C. So, a lot of what you say just is never going to work here. Thankfully there are lots of options for cycling indoors.

[@MariaCann-p9k]

Hello GCN please can you make a video on dealing with (gangs of) dogs on rides? In my area I frequently get ambushed by 3-5 dogs at a time (at least once or twice a ride)

[@chazpilks]

Follow the sun...northern hemisphere April to September, southern hemisphere October to March :)

[@johnandrews3568]

Canadian here... for winter riding, what's with all the tights and jackets? We wear summer kit year round to follow Rule #5.

[@scottdavies1974]

What are the mudguards connor has fitted?

[@geoffreyhoney122]

Gloves? no! LEATHER MITTENS/GAUNTLETS!!! Here in Canada if you're a member, the Canadian Automobile Assoc.(CAA) will pick you up and deliver you and it counts as a tow!

[@holycow666]

The trees and grass are green and it's raining.. You call this winter? I drove with studded tires today, everything is covered in ice and it's -5 C and it doesn't even feel cold

[@gcn]

alright alright, no need to show off!

[@user-ve3gh5xg9q]

No 🚲🚲 in 💨❄️🌫️🌬️

[@warrenpiers4878]

Your idea of winter is …. different 😂. Although I’d rather be cold and dry than cold n wet.

[@ShiniDrums]

To get the air in even with my small pump isn't any problem at all. Which takes time and is exhausting is getting the tire of the rim. This is pure pain even with tools. Impossible without tools.

[@cathalkenneally1614]

I hate descending on cold and windy days

[@Thezuule1]

I swear by my bar mitts. Then I can just wear a pair of light gloves and my hands don't end up soaked.

[@plhofmei]

Find a winter activity. Alpine (or better yet Nordic) skiing.

[@gcn]

in the UK we would struggle, our winters are mainly just wet! 😂

[@emilvaradi9393]

I heard nothing about breathing in cold. As far as I'm concerned this is the most important. You breathe in large quantities of cold air. Your lungs can get very cold that I consider a health hazard. I tried in 2 degfrees centigrade, but had to stop after 5-6 kilometers. I tried to use a scarf in front of my mouth, but it was not enough. Asked in a pro bike shop, they said there is no useful solution.

[@romanpramuka2703]

You are talking about winter, but it looks like autumn or spring. Rain in winter?

[@bobfoster687]

Look up URTICARIA.

[@Seanobb]

The MOST enjoyable? That might be a stretch. I think most people would hope for just “not as bad”

[@paulgrimshaw8334]

Winter? Where’s the snow, ice, and sub zero temperatures? This is autumn riding where I come from. Not that riding on snowy public roads is a recipe for anything other than meeting a friendly orthopaedic surgeon.

[@robotverter2]

my choice - whisky+cola

[@timothywild9980]

That looks like autumn.

[@gcn]

This video could be published at any time of the year really

[@PaulMapstone]

I live in Italy I don’t have these problems anymore.

[@kevelliott]

Seems like Rouvy and Fulgaz don't exist in GCN World...

[@6ft8incyclist]

December 18th and it is 79F 24C here today Florida Panhandle

[@jazzcatjohn]

and not a hill to climb in sight. lol

[@6ft8incyclist]

@@jazzcatjohn In Lower Alabama AKA Western Florida panhandle we do have climbs.. But I know what you mean.

[@Sadettinz]

Go as wide as you can on your budget and get a good trainer and a rocker plate.

[@asifyussuf4859]

Why am i watching this? I live in the tropics.😂😂

[@gcn]

Maybe just to mock the less fortunate.

[@wyatberp3611]

I don't have any issues riding here in Costa Rica 🤣

[@derf9465]

I don't see that many folk in the winter..... The colder and wetter the less people to none.

[@ryuujinusa]

Don't need to ride less, we have Zwift!

[@andreemurray7039]

What no mudguards? Keep you and your bike in better condition

[@yhaskell]

1. move to Spain

[@Mavrik-60]

My summer bike is my winter bike also spring and fall bike. All three bikes are ridden in the same setup year round. No problems. Sure the manufacturing would love to have there manipulating commentary on the subject to have one for each season is simply a scam to make more of your money. They'll keep doing it longs you let them. Rip you off. Haha keepemcoming

[@user-ve3gh5xg9q]

😊

[@ericB3444]

Wow, I would’ve thought you’re supposed to wear a shirt in the winter. So no shirt.

[@petekraemer2538]

Hay guys try adding in a little SNOW and ICE for real winter cycling. . .

[@latromster]

This is not winter. This is autumn.

[@McLovin38FFs]

Never go tubeless!

[@taWay21]

Hands. Hands are the worst part of winter riding. I bit the bullet and built an indoor trainer just so I can ride without worrying about black fingers. Gloves and hand warmers never work for me 😢

[@l.d.t.6327]

Do you honestly have more grip with wider tires? You have less rolling resistance, so that doesn't seem to go with more grip. Besides gloves, the very best things you can buy for cold weather is a good pair of long bibs, and a good balaclava. Suggesting indoor training as a tip for winter riding is worthless.

[@rg807]

What, you didn't know it was cold in winter? 😂

[@peterdobos1606]

suddenly the standard "spend that money on a bike holiday to the Alps instead" ain't looking so smart. Do you spend the money on the trip and freeze to death, or spend the money needed to survive the trip, thus leaving you unable to afford said trip. It's a conundrum, I tells ya.

[@arodOTG]

Did Connor just admit that he’s a triathlete?

[@gcn]

Do you think we should test it out on GTN?

[@StefanMikulski]

Funny to think you call the UK weather "the winter". What about true winter countries? Where's the snow, ice, frost?

[@gcn]

our budget didn't stretch to the special effects of snow, ice, frost! We used natural elements of wind and rain 😂

[@StefanMikulski]

​@@gcna wrong country!