Winter Gravel Riding Tips: Handling, tires, clothing, nutrition & more

[@Zyzzyx42]

Regarding clothing and practicing what to wear: keep a log. Many years ago I started a spreadsheet in Google Drive for Clothing and Temperatures. Once it gets below 55F or so its nice to have a reference back to what you've worn before for what worked and what didn't. Make occasional entries after a good or bad ride. I make a note of the temp, what I wore for torso, legs, feet, head, hands, and what the ride was (big difference for easy cruising vs threshold intervals) Then go a step further and color code those entries; green for all good, orange for a bit warm, and blue for a bit cool. yeah, it sounds like a lot of work, but it becomes less so each year. Now I'm only putting in 3-4 new entries each year.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

I dig it.

[@goldenretriever6261]

Every November i forget how much to wear or not wear all over again.

[@h20s8804]

Totally. It's taken me a while to figure it out and add pieces of kit that work for certain conditions. But when it's good, it's really good.

[@tarajones-legros3661]

Dude - brilliant suggestion!!

[@richtoepper7102]

I started fat biking in the snow a few years ago to give me something more exciting than the trainer. I am comfortable down to 15 F. Bar mitts make a huge difference, and a pair of bontrager winter boots. Heavy but warm, thick lowers , thicker socks, claw gloves, and a surprising light 3-4 layer plan. On the coldest days ski helmet and balaclava. Don’t get too far from base . If you have a mechanical issue and are far away, you can get cold pretty quick. Great topic. Fat biking makes winter so much more enjoyable.

[@waynemorris2249]

One thing is certain. Winter cycling clothes are much warmer when you’re riding than standing around outside talking about them in the cold. 🥶 Showing us all a little grit making this video outside in the cold. 👊

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Or showing some dumb-dumbness. We shoulda just recorded the talking points inside...⛄

[@stevevanness4195]

Iditaslide : A term I read over thirty years ago when I first started riding in the winter. If you start to slide on a decent in snow or ice, you Unclip one foot & rest your opposite thigh on the top tube. If need be you put your foot down & form a tripod with your wheels. It works great!

[@stevenagy7152]

If we ever do get anything close to consistent snow again here in the Mid-Atlantic, the only XC I will consider is skiing!

[@TheBarnCarsandBicycles]

Great job. Thanks for standing in the 20 degree wind for us. Very edumakashanal.

[@GummeeH3]

I'd recommend looking at mesh base layers rather than wool. That pocket of air trapped in the mesh does a few things: acts like an insulating layer (think double pane window) and allows vapor to move to the next layer out. Try it, you'll be amazed.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Loft is your friend, for sure. Alex was talking about some liner pants he wears for the same reason - just a bit of air that stays warm.

[@dbt5224]

Great timing. I just registered for then Shasta Gravel Hugger. Very likely colder than I am used to, and they have had snow every year so far.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

The weather plus the backdrop makes for some incredible photos at that event. I gotta get out there one of these years. Preferably one where it DOESN'T snow...

[@rayF4rio]

I enjoyed the video, even though all my cold weather gear is in storage since I moved to the Philippines. 😁 Back in the 90's in Chicago, when cold weather gear really sucked, our rule was 35 and Dry.

[@CrabgrassFarmer]

Great real-world tips. Well done!

[@brentcollins9727]

60 and sunny in Houston today. We were bundled up in three layers for our 30 mile ride. I got cold just watching this. 😂😂

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Rub it in, Brent!

[@garysladek9110]

Commuting all year here in Michigan, great tips. I call winter time skill building. Cheers.

[@rudyelizondo1935]

Yeah I just rode on 63 degree weather with my tights n goretex infintium rapha jacket and it was a great comfortable ride!

[@grcgrcgrcgrc4]

Living in the PNW it is often wet more than cold. However one thing I do is put the full summer helmet away once the temperature drops below 15°C on a regular basis. I have a "piss-pot" for my regular winter riding. I find it more comfortable and warmer in the wet & cold.

[@ilanpi]

The most basic principle I and my team have adhered to is no significant climbing in Winter. The issue is descending, where you really get cold, especially after sweating on the climb. The only exception is a 700m climb near my house, where I can take a cable car down. When I was living in Minnesota, I would do Winter rides when it was over 20F (about once a month!). The trick I figured out is to use aero bars, as this relieves pressure on your hands and with snowmobile gloves they didn't get as cold. Speaking of which, when living there I was frustrated by the stupendously decision to have an outdoor velodrome in the coldest area of the continental United States...

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Cable car?! That's a whole other kind of shuttle ride. I remember when Canadian tough guy Michael Barry lived here in Boulder, he'd climb with a backpack full of full-on ski clothes, which he'd don before doing a long descent back into town.

[@Thomas-fy9yc]

Use those castelli Estremo globes myself, they work fantastic, and have enough stretch to use a merino glove base layer for extra warmth if needed. For jackets in freezing temps the Phantom jackets from Gore are insanely warm and the sleeves zip off in case in gets warm.

[@E.T_rode_bikes_As_well]

Daymn… my regular daily sporty commute with a gravelbike has been minus 20 celsius for half a month now. Still wont quit! 😅 plus planning to get some Marathon winter studded skinny tires for them icy days.

[@shaldivad]

Great video! My wife and I are competing in our first OMWR this year! Looks like rain gear might be needed 😄

[@sccxvelo]

You outta do one for the summer heat. As many are in peak ride time of the year due to summer heatwaves acts like snow/ice/cold shutting down many outside activities regionally.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Good idea. Will do once it warms up in the northern hemisphere. 👍

[@whitworths]

Lived in Boulder in the past and it is easier in that cold than where I am now in Oregon. It is so damp. Just got some Castelli gear...Flanders base, Alpha RoS 2 jacket, Sorpasso tights, Perfetto Max gloves and Diluvio booties. Just went out when it was 43F and foggy (damp). Messed around with the booties and just could not get them on so put my old ones on. My legs were cold for the first 5 miles. My past tights were over bib shorts and used Roubaix fleece material. The Sorpasso did not offer that warmth. The base and jacket were amazing. Ended up unzipping fairly soon into the ride. Gloves were amazing too. I usually struggle with cold hands. So, the booties were disappointing. The tights were nice once I warmed up...and great chamois for the 3.5 hours I was out. What tights are your favorite? I almost went for the Tutto Nano. You did not go over your specific Castelli pieces in the video. I remember descending Lefthand Canyon and hitting ice...and by some miracle kept the rubber side down. Cheers.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

100% Humidity don't mess around! For super cold days I have to have some Windstopper on the front of the tights, like the Sorpasso ROS Wind: www.castelli-cycling.com/FR/en/Men/Cycling/Man-cycling-shorts-and-tights/Bibtights-&-Knickers/Cold/SORPASSO-RoS-WIND-BIBTIGHT/p/4520525_010_52_3XL For that level of cold, it's either cycling boots or the Estremo booties. Little Hotties warm warmers on the toe or the shoe/under the bootie is a bonus. The Alpha jacket is amazing, eh? Love that thing.

[@whitworths]

Cheers!@@TheRidewithBenDelaney

[@bludog4657]

What beautiful scenery!

[@gscott5062]

Eldorado Canyon State Park, Colorado

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

📍

[@sdmike1141]

Nicely curated!! Thanks.

[@davidbee9563]

Something I do riding through the winter helps to stabilize steering. If you keep a light pressure on the bars you can feel when the front wheels starts turn or slip off line. The bar will push against you r right or left. By pushing slightly against the bar it will lessen the effect. Also riding a fixed gear gives greater traction and keeps you warm from constant pedalling. As long as the wheel turns you can push on the pedals. And you can adjust your speed by pushing with or against the pedals and avoid using the brakes as much.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

A fixie on snow and ice is bold!

[@davidbee9563]

It would be without brakes but I have discs on mine. We don't often get a lot of snow here but when it does come I can get around. This year I am using flat pedals for the winter. No spd shoes to get clogged with snow and you can wear normal boots to keep warm and dry. I do not ride far enough this time of year to worry about frosty fingers and toes.@@TheRidewithBenDelaney

[@toddshanafelt5036]

Buffs are great for your neck...but a nice scarf that you can wrap around neck is awesome....as long as you know your scarf knots so you don't need to readjust too much on the bike...and you get a cool little bit flapping in the wind behind you like snoopy as the red baron ... :)

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Snoopy Red Baron FTW.

[@Hintonbro.]

Western dry snow vs eastern wet snow

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Yes, fair. Also even with snow the humidity is low out here.

[@richb8709]

The Bar Mitts a great! Finally solved cold fingers. Still haven’t figured out an economical solution for my toes without buying another set of shoes/boots. I admit it, I’m cheap!

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Little Hotties warmers in bulk at CostCo. Put one on top of the shoe/under the bootie.

[@jonathanwoo6597]

I don't enjoy freezing hands and feet, so I use chemical warmers for both for anything below 40F. Also, keeping your core temp high will allow your hands and feet to stay warm. This is a survival mechanism. Once your core temp drops the circulation to your extremities is slowed. So I prefer to overdress my torso in order to avoid my core temp from dropping.

[@ljhoule3394]

Prepping for Old Man Winter! Will be my 4th event. Growing up in Alaska we learned very early in life “Cotton Kills!” Moreno wool close to the skin is good! Enjoy the Ride!

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Ah, sweet. See you out there. Will feel like summer compared to Alaska.

[@rudyelizondo1935]

Great vid again guys, I really like the input by your wonderful Guests😊 it is extremely rare for any snow or ice to hit here in Katy texas but we have ridden on 20 degree f weather with 20 knot winds. Really tuff training ride but one hell of an adventure 😂

[@oldanslo]

When it gets to 20F in Texas, the wealthy locals escape to Cancun.

[@jameshoward9700]

All good stuff. Re feet, if opting for winter shoes/boots it's worth sizing up or buying a more roomy fit. That allows more space for warm air and/or a thicker sock. Even a roomier race shoe will allow substantially more insulation in the sock and then booties over the top. Really cold/tendency for cold feet: size up, thicker sock, insulated boots AND booties! I find for gravel that the limiter tends to be the exposed face and I've no desire to ride in a neoprene mask! BTW, these Fahrenheit things... eh?!

[@Silidons91]

Bar Mitts are literally the best purchase I have made in regard to winter riding!! I can ride down to about 30* F just just normal gloves with my bar mitts. My hands and feet always get cold. Still searching for the best thing for my feet. I haven't tried winter specific shoes yet.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Winter boots are good, Castelli Estremo booties are good, and Little Hotties warmers in between the shoes and the booties on your toes are extra toasty.

[@Silidons91]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney Thank you sir!

[@rexthedog9637]

Old man winter!

[@matigati8]

Thanks for another great video! Commuting in Stockholm Sweden with temps down the -15⁰C i use all of your tips. Are studded tires something you gravelers tend to use? Because here it's nearly a must

[@goldenretriever6261]

Back in the day when i regularly did 4 hour rides below -5c i would put salt in my water bottles to prevent freezing. Now I xc ski instead, much easier to stay warm.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

And the old heads will tell you about putting a tiny bit of booze in the bottles. I dig XC, but that's often not an option without driving here. If I lived up north, I bet I'd be all about it.

[@goldenretriever6261]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney i tried that too. Would slip some of the old man's JD in my bottle.

[@kodiakrider7612]

I like to use Aquaphor on my face. It helps break the wind which, for me, is worse than the cold.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Cool. Never tried that.

[@slantedorbit]

every drop of 5 degrees requires its own outfit combo, and those combos are personal

[@danielsekera3525]

I realize riding for content is different than perhaps what you would really do, but in general do you pack anything extra? I always have a quick release rack with a daybag with an extra vest, extra long sleeve waffle jersey, some heavy gloves, even though I use bar mitts. If I have to hike a bike or last year when I fell on ice into a stream, having some extra stuff is really nice when I am miles away from a ride. I even have considered taking a firestarter with me.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

The main difference in riding for content is that there is a whole lot less of it! As in, there's a whole lotta standing around and looping back around to get a pretty angle or two, instead of just cruising. So, in the winter, it's colder! When it's super duper cold I don't venture too deep into the woods; I like to stay out in the plains where there is more sun and the roads are better. So I dress for the absolutely coldest temp of the day and then just unzip/remove a layer as it warms up. For this video, I shot some b roll with a Chesty GoPro and had a frame bag on so I could a) put the Chesty in it afterward, and b) carry some pull-over Castelli pants for the long descent because my WindStopper tights were dirty from the day before and I need some wind block. It sounds like you're a lot burlier than I am as far as conditions!

[@liantechtube7921]

I love your videos man!!!

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Thanks! It's great to have help from folks like Leah and Alex - plus our man Scott shooting on that one instead of just be one-man-banding it with the camera.

[@manabiker]

I've ridden winter gravel for 7 years nowm in Michiga,, Specialized Sawtooth tires 700x42 They work on snow packed roads like they are studded, not ice, I think they make them out of Otopi, I wear Specialized Demo Downhill pants, with different long johns, or tights under them, rugged, look great, fairly tight fitting, on top I layered Motocross jerseys on sale, and I you them in Spring/Fall they are wick, always on sale, great prices, Bar Mitts, summer gloves, balacava, Red Wing Shoes minero wool socks, I ride with plain ol MTB shoes, my feet done get cold, for hydration Coconut water with Maple syrup in it, in a water bottle kept inside my wind breaker, Happy Trails

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Cool. Thanks.

[@cliffdittman6233]

Use a Polar insulated water bottle to keep your water warm

[@biketrybe7071]

Looks fun. Are we going to get a first impressions video of your new steel Scarab Winter work horse?

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

I was thinking of just doing a bigger review on it down the road - maybe after heading to Colombia for Transcordilleras!

[@masterpointstrategies3413]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney Awesome. Looking forward to it.

[@n22pdf]

Great advice guys 😊 Pete

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Thanks 👍

[@54andBored]

Colorado 🎉

[@Gabepedaler]

Was that a Scarab your riding in the video? Might we be seeing a review on it soon?

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

It was, and you will: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2WZdn6dj9aqmJI

[@galenkehler]

My top tip: wear your skinsuit as a base layer. The chamois is generally sewn more forward, which offers more protection to your 🍆 from freezing.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

I've heard a lot of eggplant-protection strategies, but never heard that one!

[@linesided]

I have been winter riding here in Montreal for years and see more and more cx riders out there now. All of your basic outdoor winter gear and cross country skiing gear is good too. I also take a water bottle instead of a pack and keep it in my back jersey near my body to keep it from freezing. Shorter rides are the order of the day. 1-2 hours tops when it's around -10 and an hour or less below that. And don't try and do intervals! It's not that kind of climate/environment.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

-10! Ooph!

[@MikeSchmidt420]

After the recent snow and deep freeze, I'm considerings running studded tubeless tires. Thoughts?

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

I'm not a fan because of how heavy and noisy they are - but primarily because I live in Colorado and not Minnesota or something, so straight-up ice riding is not a regular thing. Others here in the comments may have more informed views!

[@MikeSchmidt420]

I actually broke my hip 12 months ago on riding on ice on the coal creek trail. maybe i'll just wear some hip pads this year to protect the hardware.@@TheRidewithBenDelaney

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

@MikeSchmidt420 yikes! Sorry to hear it.

[@adammckinney6850]

What do you think about the Fazarri Shafer? Do you think that it's a better bike than the canyon grizl?

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

I haven’t ridden the Shafer yet.

[@adammckinney6850]

@TheRidewithBenDelaney I thought that you might of had the chance to ride it when you did the build comparison for the 3 consumer direct brands video.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Good memory@@adammckinney6850 That was a Fezzari, but it was their Veyo aero road bike.

[@shalakabooyaka1480]

Yea, idk how you handle riding in the cold. I rode to get some food last night and was over it before I got to the restaurant lol

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

😜

[@cmcjvcltcbmc]

The older I get, the higher my cold temp limit gets. Currently at 32F.

[@petersouthernboy6327]

OK, now those Maxxim tires can be used. Finally.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

So good, right? I've been wearing that with just a thin wool or synthetic longsleeve baselayer and I'm good to go.

[@davidvonslingshot]

chemical toe warmers whatever food you think you need, double it if you are warm at the start, you are overdressed. 🎉 cold sucks, but best to be over prepared than under.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Ah, dang it! I brought Little Hotties warmers to the shoot - even had my dumb joke for them ready - and then totally spaced it. Thanks for mentioning that.

[@seagulls4life12]

25 degrees is a cold cutoff. My cutoff is 40 degrees

[@CarnivoreDMD]

Guys have an advantage for when your derailleur freezes up!😂

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

A temporary solution... Electronic eliminates the possibility of cables freezing, but then cables will never run out of battery.

[@VictorElGreco]

Probably not legit (and some will laugh at me) but, once we reach the freezing point, I wear my mid-season, tight fitting fleece and put on a winter softshell *on top* of it. This mix-and-match gear is near impenetrable.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Legit = what works for you So that sounds legit to me.

[@ericbeech2652]

Only wool will keep warm while wet. That's why wool has the status that it does.

[@LegSpinna]

Hot water freezes quicker than cold water.

[@pl4free]

To me, winter riding is running. There's no pleasure in going fast on a bike in freezing temps, but running feels great

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Some years I get there. Some years I don't touch the winter running shoes at all. Definitely super efficient time-wise.

[@pl4free]

@@TheRidewithBenDelaney for me it's like: under 0°C my feet freeze on the bike even with the NW Arctic GTX shoes. When I go running my feet stay worm and I'm wearing normal summer trail-shoes 😅

[@garagesale5948]

No such thing as cold weather only cold clothing. Know your limits, keep your winter rides short and fun.

[@johnlockwood367]

One tip for cold feet - get off the bike occasionally and walk or run for a few minutes.

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

That's a good shout. One time Todd Gogulski and I rode to the Santa Fe ski area in the snow. Was a great time going up... Coming down, we were shivering so bad we stopped a bunch of times and ran back uphill for a few minutes. Dummies... I dig the O'Grady avatar. He's down in NM now.

[@maximkrivov]

Fatbike...studded tires....wool base layer...feet hands as warm as possible...layering...extra cover for the 🍆 wind chill...plan for the worst. Cut off -24

[@markreams3192]

The best way to stay warm, have fun and ride your bike in the winter is to put your bike in a travel case and book a flight to Hawaii or other tropical destination! 😂

[@robbchastain3036]

I watched the entire video and not one tip for lounging on the snow instead of ridińg.. 😀

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

Tip#1: It's a terrible idea; don't do it!

[@mogulmayhem]

On a similar note, if the Strava people are watching this, please add a filter to remove other athlete's indoor workouts from my feed. This time of year it's just an endless scroll of some dude named Cody Rigsby.

[@linesided]

haha that should be a topic of a video here. It's so bogus seeing people ride 1000's of indoor "kms" and even worse "climbing" indoors. I respect it of course, but it's not apples to apples with the real world, and certainly not equivalent to winter riding@!

[@philipsimmonds1103]

Studded tyres are garbage .. conti top contact ❄️.. untochable

[@ellerybice3787]

You three took the very serious subject of making KZbin videos so "not seriously" that you had more fun than any other crew I have watched make a video. 🚴🏼🚴🏼🚴🏼🫡

[@TheRidewithBenDelaney]

🫡