How to Extend Your Cycling Season All Year Round
Cycling has become part of your daily life. As soon as the weather permits, you get on your bike to rack up the miles, but when it gets colder and snow gets in the way, you hang up your bike while you eagerly wait for the next season. What if we told you that you could ride... 365 days a year?
Here are our tips on how to extend your cycling season not just for the summer, but all year round.
Fatbike: Ride outside any time
A bike for every season? Even with the snow outside, changing bikes can still be a hassle-free experience. Think of fatbikes, or bikes with extra-large tires. They are designed for off-road riding with their thick tires which are between four and five inches wide on 100-millimetre rims. Moreover, the fatbike frame is specially designed to accommodate these tires. This special tire feature and their low pressure provide better grip, greater traction and a superior ability to absorb vibrations caused by hazardous terrain, whether sand, mud or snow. Keep in mind that most fatbikes don't have suspension, but that doesn't affect the overall comfort.
Stationary bike: Cycling no matter the weather outside
Do you want to ride in any kind of weather? A stationary bike is a great option. When Mother Nature calls in summer, keep on riding; and when you store your road bike in the winter, you don’t have to stop pedaling. Commonly known as a spinning bike, this is an all-inclusive format. Several versions are available to suit your needs.
- Reclining
- Seated
- Tilted
- Mechanical
- Electric
The final choice will be determined by your use and goals. Its biggest advantage is that it is available 12 months a year indoors and helps you to reduce your outdoor bike’s wear and tear. Its stability is also greater than an indoor bike with a base, allowing for a pleasant experience when switching from standing to sitting and vice versa.
Bike Base: Your ride at home
Why change good habits? In order to enjoy your usual riding experience even in colder weather and continue to train exactly as if you were on the road, the bike base is ideal. It transforms your road bike into a kind of "stationary bike". Though it is not as imposing as a real stationary bike, it will use less space at home. Several base options are available to you.
- Magnetic: Can be used for different types of training (endurance, power or interval training), more reasonable in price and some models can be controlled by a tablet or smart phone.
- Hydraulic (fluid): Its resistance curve is exponential, and with a closed system, is quieter than the magnetic option.
- Rollers: Basically, a bike sits on three rollers, with the front roller connected by a cable to the rear roller. As a result, training is more focused on balance and concentration.
Stay well-equipped: carry on as usual
Do you just want to keep riding your bike, no matter what time of year it is? You’ll need the right equipment. It’s definitely not impossible to ride a traditional bike in the middle of winter, but you need to at least make the experience enjoyable and avoid a breakdown. Lubrication is the keyword. Make sure your bicycle parts are well lubricated so that it does not breakdown in icy temperatures. Also equip it with lights (a white light in the front and a red light in the back) to be seen on the road given that the days are shorter. We recommend about 150 lumens or more on a dimly lit route and between 60 and 150 lumens if your route is well lit. You will for sure want to invest in custom fit, quality clothing (coat, pants, gloves, neck warmer, boots and mittens) to cope with the cold.
You now have everything you need to keep cycling all year round regardless of the weather conditions. This is not a dream. Go out and keep cycling!
