Saturday 27 February 2016

Six fundamental elements of safe winter riding

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While you can't do much about the weather, here are six fundamental things you can take care of before you head out. It's about survival and making sure that you get home for tea, and both you and your bike live to ride another day.

Here’s a weather forecast: it’ll be cold and wet during the winter months. No, it’s not the most inviting time to be out on your bike, but with a bit of forethought and planning, you might even enjoy it…

1. Prepare your bike and your body

Making sure your bike is ready for winter conditions is as critical to your health as it is to the health of your bike. Dark mornings and evenings, inclement weather, wet, icy or gritty road surfaces - all of these hazards are easily addressed by checking:

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  • Have you got lights? Even in daytime, fog can make you invisible without them. Check out our buyer's guide to bike lights if you're not sure what you're looking for. 
  • Have you changed your ‘go-faster’ summer tyres for something more grippy and puncture resistant? The BikeRadar winter road bike tyre guide is a good place to start. 
  • And what about mudguards? For more on preparing your bike for winter, see our workshop.

Related: Get your bike winter ready

Look after yourself too, as training can reduce the body’s immune system, making you more susceptible to colds and bugs. Give yourself a fighting chance by eating plenty of anti-oxidant and vitamin-rich fruit and veg. If you’re not sure you’re getting enough, take a multivitamin and mineral. See our article on how to beat the bugs for what to stock up on at the shops for a health-boosting diet, and we've also got the lowdown on the top 10 cycling superfoods

2. Don’t just pile on miles

3. Fuel properly

4. Plan your recovery

5. Be sensible

6. Don’t be weight obsessed

Want more? 

You can read more at BikeRadar.com



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