I used to think winter mountain biking was a stunt you did once to say you’ve done it. That was before I learned to enjoy the unique feel of winter trails, and I am rarely alone.
It takes more effort, but don’t worry, you won’t freeze to death.
On your first winter ride, you’re more likely to overdress and overheat because it’s easy to put on too many layers.
We’re all a little different, so what keeps me comfortable may not work for you, but here’s my basic kit:
A pair of tights (or synthetic long johns), padded cycling shorts and maybe knee warmers.
A good mid-weight base layer, a fleece mid layer and breathable jacket is enough to keep your core warm. A vest adds insurance.
Zippers are your friend. You will want to dump heat if you get hot. Breathable is usually more valuable than waterproof, and wind resistance is a plus.
Protect your feet, head and hands, which are most vulnerable to the cold.
Finding the right gloves is tricky, and personal preference will dictate what works. I have cold hands, and the best gloves I’ve found are The North Face “Apex” gloves. Cross country ski gloves also work well.
I wear my biking shoes and neoprene shoe covers. Mid-weight wool socks keep my feet toasty inside.
Plan to experiment with different clothing combinations and tailor them to the conditions.
A rule of thumb is every 10 to 15 degrees colder, add a layer or thicker insulation.
Now you’re ready for the trails.
If the temperature is below freezing, you’ll find surprisingly good riding. Aim for early in the morning before the sun hits the trail.
If, as is more likely in Western Washington, the trails are and muddy, you can handle that, too.
If you encounter a muddy spot, ride through it, not around it. If you start encountering lots of muddy spots, or long stretches of mud, it’s the wrong day to be on the trails. Turn around and go back. Try again after a period of dry weather.
Many of the trails around Snohomish County have good cover, which help keep the trails drier.
Riding in winter will help you become a better rider because you have to be more focused on pedaling, braking and cornering.
You may want to use flat pedals rather than clipless pedals, but I use my same riding shoes year round because I like consistency.
I drop my tire pressure by about 5 psi to get better traction. If you’re using inner tubes, winter riding is a good excuse to convert to tubeless because you can run lower air pressure and not have pinch flats.
Think smooth over speed. Pedal in a smooth, steady cadence to avoid spinning out. Keep your body loose and your eyes focused as far up the trail as you can.
Keep your body centered over the bike. If your tires start to slip, you want to counter it. If you’re not centered on the bike, that’s harder to do. Same with cornering. As much as is feasible, lean your bike into corners, not your whole body.
Use a combination of front and rear brakes to slow down before a corner, but as you’re entering it, lay off the front brake so your front tire doesn’t wash out. When in doubt, use more rear brake than front (which is opposite of riding on dry trails).
Stay in control and enjoy the scenery. You’re not going to set any speed records, and you shouldn’t try. It’s too risky to yourself and others. Winter is a bonus time to maintain your cycling fitness, but it defeats the purpose if you crash and injure yourself.
Local rides
Here’s a list of five local mountain bike rides recommended for winter riding by the folks at Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance:
- Paradise Valley: Snohomish County Park near Maltby with 11 miles of diverse singletrack.
- Lord Hill: Mountain bike into the vast evergreen forest of this 1,463-acre upland nature preserve near Snohomish.
- St Edwards State Park: Well-maintained single track on the eastside that will pose challenges for a variety of riders.
- Anacortes Community Forest Lands: ACFL offers 50 miles of single and double track amid forests and wetlands on the edge of Anacortes.
- Fort Ebey State Park: 15 miles of trails on Whidbey Island with well-draining soils that make it an excellent winter riding destination.
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