Staying in a good shape during the winter is important to build a strong base leading up to the summer. But when the weather gets cold and rainy rides turn to snowy rides, getting in the saddle is no easy task.
So, how exactly can you stay motivated to keep riding during the winter months?
Many people give up in the winter and lose any fitness progress they’ve made in the past year. That’s not going to be you, though!
Here are five ways to stay motivated to keep riding in the winter.
Form a small riding group
You’re not alone when it comes to being motivated in the winter to hop on the bike. So, to keep pedaling year-round, find others in the same boat as you.
Form a small riding group that commits to at least a couple of weekly rides. These rides don’t have to be hardcore hill climbs or time trials. Treat them as an opportunity to get your heart rates up and enjoy time with a friend or two.
If you’re already in a cycling club or group that essentially shuts down during the winter, reach out to some of your club mates and see if they’re interested in joining your small riding group.
If you’re struggling to convince people to join, try and come up with some fun ideas to make the rides sound more appealing, like :
- Bike and brew. Go for an easy 30 miler and end it at a favorite brewery or coffee shop. That craft beer will taste better after putting in some work.
- Scenic rides. Riding on your same old routes in the winter could be boring. So, make a point to travel out to a route that you haven’t traveled as much. If it has nice views, that’s a bonus and extra motivator!
Get kitted correctly
Among the biggest deterrents to cycling during the winter is the cold weather. The last thing many cyclists want to do is go out for a ride when temperatures dip below freezing.
But if you’re properly kitted, riding during the winter can be invigorating and enjoyable.
So, what are some cold-weather essentials to add to your collection of kits?
- Balaclava is practically a necessity. It covers your entire face, minus your eyes, and is typically made with wind-stopping fabric to keep the cold air off you. And yes, your helmet can easily fit over most balaclavas.
- Base layer does a great job for your core because it wicks away sweat and keeps you dry.
- Lobster gloves are the perfect mix between traditional gloves, which offer great dexterity, and mittens, which do a better job of insulating your hands.
- Winter jacket is your most important piece of gear. It would be best if you had something lighter but with enough insulation and wind-stopping technology to keep you warm on your ride. Of course, these can be the most expensive items to add to your kit.
- Shoe covers. Your cycling shoes have vents to help your feet breathe better on warm rides. Shoe covers prevent cold air from getting into those vents.
- Bib tights. Some nicer ones are fleece-lined and include wind-stopping technology to keep your legs nice and toasty warm. Bibs can be expensive so take good care of them.
Ride indoors
Many cyclists think riding indoors during the winter will keep them motivated. But for some, those indoor rides can become boring and do more harm than good for staying motivated.
Here are some ideas to make those indoor rides more appealing.
- Go virtual. Platforms like Zwift turn your indoor rides into fun, interactive adventures with others who are also training indoors. Zwift works best with a smart trainer that automatically adds resistance to your ride to match the terrain you’re virtually riding on in the app. You can see your bike-riding avatar on your device and other virtual cyclists riding alongside you.
- Group fitness class. Peloton started the trend of working out at home. There are other group classes you can take advantage of if you don’t own a Peloton bike. If you own an Apple Watch, try out Apple Fitness+, which features a growing collection of on-demand bike workouts. You can track your heart rate and calories burned on your device as you go through your ride. Do one of the platform’s 10-minute mindful cooldowns towards the end.
Do cross-training
There are a handful of indoor exercises you can do to stay in shape without actually riding your bike.
- Swimming is a great low-impact cardio workout if you can access a public pool.
- Yoga or pilates is a great way to build core strength and increase your flexibility, which will serve you well on those long bike rides in the summer. You can take an in-person yoga class or a class virtually through one of the many available apps today.
- Weights. You should always supplement your bike riding with muscle-building activities like lifting weights.
- Running is another great option. If you own a treadmill or have access to a gym, running is a cardio workout that can significantly build your cycling endurance.
Stay off the bike
It’s ok to take a mental and physical break from riding. Your bike isn’t going anywhere!
Like anything in life, be it work or a hobby like cycling, you need to take a break to avoid burnout.
But that doesn’t mean shutting it down completely. Use this time away from the bike to plan your upcoming fitness and cycling goals and focus on aspects of the sport that you love the most.
For some, that might mean researching a few new races to compete in the next season. Others may want to plan a big cycling trip with friends.
Use this time away from the bike to recharge physically and mentally. Your body will thank you when you’re ready to get back on the bike.