Top 18 Tips for Winter Mountain Bike Riding! - Gear, Insights, and Advice [RNL S1, Ep40]

[@johnmorris-qt3gz]

I extend the life of my battery in the cold by using a neoprene wrap on my down tube. I keep my bike indoors so my battery starts off warm and it appears to stay close to its normal operating temp as long as i don't stop for any length of time, it also prevents water spraying up and chilling my downtube. To keep my feet warm If i'm using spds I use neoprene over shoes and If I'm running flats i wear wellies. Wellies not only have great tread for walking in mud and puddles they also protect you almost up to your knees from spray off the front wheel. At the start off my run when the air temp is icy cold I don't like the way going fast makes the apparent wind really cold so i start with the power turned off and use a low gear and go slow until the blood is flowing and i am warm from the inside.

[@RideLaughPodcast]

Tremendous insights John!!! I hope some of our e-bike listeners/watchers see these tips because they seem spot on. We appreciate you taking the time out to outline all of this. Sage

[@TheRideAbides]

THIS is a man who knows how to ride in the cold!! Awesome tips about the battery and the neoprene wrap. I had to look up "Wellies" but they are for serious mud! Love that you're getting out there no matter what!! - Dan

[@thaynes1832]

My biggest winter tip is to always make sure you blow your water back down your hose into your water bladder to keep the hose from freezing. I learned the hard way at the Wiss one cold winter morning. But just pushing the water back out of the hose keeps it from freezing up as quickly!

[@RideLaughPodcast]

Yes!!! Fantastic tip Terry. I think Mark @POVTrails1219 commented the same thing. I'm def gonna give this one a shot. Hope you are getting some good rides in brotha. Let's get together again soon. Sage

[@TheRideAbides]

Of course! I mentioned to keep drinking but this makes so much more sense. And I DO this one... just forgot! It's been awhile since I did a legit cold ride now that I'm in Sunny Phoenix for a bit! (family stuff). Thanks Terry!! Hope you're doing well. - Dan

[@rustychain9518]

As a motorcycle rider I love layers, a super lightweight but warm base layer with good socks and gloves are everything, personally I need my neck covered also once it's below 35 degrees or so so I wear a balaclava. With layers you can add or remove as necessary but I agree with Dan that above 50 degrees I don't do much different especially if the sun is out. I'll ride regardless of the temperature but if the ground is covered with snow then you'll find me at the ice rink getting exercise 🤓.

[@RideLaughPodcast]

I used to ride a motorcycle full-time (back in my 20's) and I remember those winter rides to work and school being absolutely brutal! At least with a MTB we are moving around to stay warm, lol. Thanks for all the insight and support Pat. Sage

[@TheRideAbides]

I often wonder how moto riders do it in the cold! TOUGHNESS, that's how! LOL! And I'm sure ice skating is great exercise. Cross training is awesome. Thanks as always Pat! - Dan

[@splooshmtb]

Fall into winter is my best riding weather. I run SO hot, it's unreal. Once it drops below 50 I'll start wearing long sleeves but shorts for life, unless it's like snowing lol. Cold toes are definitely rough, good call on the wool socks Sage, I need to pick some up this year. Since Dan and I have the same bike, I can agree, these batteries last forever lol; I charge mine like once a month but I'm also curious about the winter effect on these batteries.

[@RideLaughPodcast]

Shorts are the only way to go!!! lol. Keep me posted on the battery life. I'm really curious to see how long they last in the cold, and if bringing a spare would be a smart move. Thanks as always Zane! Sage

[@TheRideAbides]

Another winter shorts man! Of course you are Zane! I forgot to mention it on the episode but neoprene toe booties work really well. Thin socks with toe warmers and neoprene toe booties (like "hot sockee") works GREAT for cold toes. - Dan

[@stephenstoccardo1636]

Great episode. This is my favorite time of year. I miss riding with you guys.

[@RideLaughPodcast]

Thanks Stick! We miss you too. Sage

[@TheRideAbides]

Great time of year! Miss you Stick!! We'll be riding together soon enough... stay ready! :) - Dan

[@erinforsale]

That snow riding looks like fun. I need to try that

[@RideLaughPodcast]

It's a blast Erin! Sage

[@TheRideAbides]

It can be so much fun* (*with the right gear :) LOL! - Dan

[@jeffjacksonmtb]

5:48 Heck yeah! Thanks for sharing my comment and my video!!! You guys are amazing! Great episode, as always!

[@RideLaughPodcast]

Thanks Jeff, we appreciate you! Sage

[@TheRideAbides]

You look so good Jeff!! Balanced, dynamic and strong!! Keep it up!! - Dan

[@povtrails1219]

Great episode! I wish I had this years ago before I made some mistakes you guys mentioned. I am totally on board with the shorts all year although in the snow and very cold I just wear a cheap pair of Fox moto pants. They offer good warmth and protection at a reasonable cost. Two things I will add. Not sure if you mentioned this with the hydration hose, but you can always blow water back into the pack and get it out of the hose to avoid freezing. I learned this lesson during a 17 degree ride in the Wiss a few years back. I also tend to wear very bright and possibly orange clothes during this time of year because of hunting seasons in PA just in case I'm near an area that does permit hunting. I have no idea how their seasons or rules work but I would rather have very visable clothes just in case. To add more to this already long comment, I have a small trail in my backyard and tend to only ride when it's frozen (which is a fantastic time to ride) in the mornings so I don't make ruts during that freeze thaw cycle because I am the only one maintaining them.

[@RideLaughPodcast]

I love those two tips Mark! Blowing the water back into the pack makes a lot of sense. And, I totally forgot about hunting season, bright colors are absolutely a smart move! We always appreciate the great feedback and comments brotha! Sage

[@TheRideAbides]

YES! Blowing the water back into the bladder is a great tip! I said to keep drinking but this one works even better. And hunting season is a good tip in many parts of the country!! Thanks Mark! - Dan

[@jeffjacksonmtb]

AXS batteries will last at least 10 hours of riding. They also have a green light (more than 25% battery remaining), Red (10-25% battery remaining), Flashing Red, (less than 10% battery remaining). I also keep a spare 2032 battery in my pack for the shift pod and a spare AXS battery for my derailleur in my pack

[@RideLaughPodcast]

I'm glad they put indicator lights on those things. So are you saying 10 hrs in the cold, or is that under normal conditions? Sage

[@jeffjacksonmtb]

@ I'm in Phoenix so it doesn't get very cold here... maybe in the 30s in the winter. I haven't noticed a drop in battery life in those temps.

[@TheRideAbides]

10 hours is a super long time... maybe in the winter you charge your AXS before each ride just to be safe. But I gotta think AXS would be OK for 3-4 hours in the cold. But man oh man, would that be a bummer to lose shifting 3 hours into a freezing cold ride! Things you don't need to worry about in the southwest! - Dan

[@jeffjacksonmtb]

@@TheRideAbides I carry an extra battery in my pack just in case

[@TheRideAbides]

@jeffjacksonmtb Yea, me too. When I bought the bike with AXS the guys sold me an extra battery right away! Better safe than sorry!

[@stanmustard7292]

I don't think e bikes make you lazy...being a lazy person makes you lazy. Something I've never heard anybody talk about...the incresed need to be more self reliant with an e bike, because you can get so far out there. I can imagine that it would be pretty easy to find yourself with mechanical issues way too far from the trailhead. Having tools, spare parts, and knowledge would be more critical.

[@RideLaughPodcast]

OMG spot on Stan!!! I did not think about that aspect. I guess you better have one of those high-end GPS locators just in case right?! Great comment as always. Thanks, Sage

[@TheRideAbides]

Awesome comment as always Stan! "Being lazy makes you lazy." Really just sums it up!! And the self-reliance point is really interesting. I'm sure there's a lot more that can go wrong with an e-bike on top of all the normal things that can go wrong on a mtb ride! - Dan