10 Winter Biking Tips

When the snow hits and the temperatures dip, winter doesn’t have to mean the end to your biking season. We have tips to help keep you in the saddle all winter long. Whether you live in the Springs, are planning to visit or wherever you live, it’s all about having the right planning, preparation and gear.  We talk with a local cycling enthusiast and a local outdoor outfitter to find out the best gear, food options and other considerations along with some great winter rides to check out.

 Host: Torie Giffin, owner of the Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort

Guests: 

Chris Welch, 200 hour registered yoga teacher and athlete who moonlights as an attorney. He has fat biked in almost every condition imaginable from frigid races in the Midwest to completing the Leadville winter fat bike series in 2020-2021. He is well versed in all of the things you need to know if you are considering cycling in the winter or in the snow. Winter is his favorite season.

Jason Mezzy, owner of Routes Outfitter, mountain biker, road cyclist, skier, snowboarder. Taking on new winter cycling challenges.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort
http://bicycleresort.com/

BikeIowa Pogie Lites
https://bikeiowa.myshopify.com/products/pogielites

Borealis Fat Bikes
https://www.fatbike.com/

Borealis Fat Bike Worlds
https://fatbikeworlds.org/

Christopher Welch (Thegraveldefender on Instagram)
https://www.instagram.com/thegraveldefender/

Colorado Springs Cycling Club Frozen Water Bottle Ride
https://www.bikesprings.org/

Crested Butte Mountain Biking Association
https://crestedbuttemountainbike.com/

Crested Butte Mountain Bike Park
https://www.skicb.com/explore-the-resort/activities-and-events/cb-bike-park.aspx

Cycling Santa
https://chasingsanta.com/

Gold Camp Tunnels
https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/7016675/gold-camp-road

Iditarod Trail Invitational Bike Alaska
https://bikepacking.com/event/2021-iditarod-trail-invitational/

Leadville Mineral Belt Trail
https://www.mineralbelttrail.com/

Leadville Winter Mountain Bike Race Series - Cloud City Wheelers
https://www.cloudcitywheelers.com/race

Salsa Beargrease & Salsa Mukluk
https://www.salsacycles.com/

Santa Fe Trail
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/santa-fe-regional-trail

Steamboat Bike Park
https://www.steamboat.com/things-to-do/downhill-mountain-biking

Routes Outfitter
https://routesoutfitter.com/

Trails End Taproom
https://www.trailsendtaproom.com/

Triple D Winter Race Series
http://tripledrace.com/

45 North – great winter clothing, face and head coverings, etc.
https://45nrth.com/

1000 Miles to Gnome - documentary Steve Cannon
https://www.adventureentertainment.com/1000-miles-to-nome

Winter Ride Tips:

-Dress in layers, start a little chilled, bring bag to carry gear, when stop indoors don’t sweat strip off layers. Chemical warmers, heated vest, Lobster gloves, any gloves/mittens that keep fingers together, Pogies snow mobile (Bike Iowa - Pogie Lites, 45 North, eye protection ski goggles, winter boots and flat pedals, wool socks.

-Have a backup plan “bailout plan” (someone to call), maybe stick closer to home or populated areas for first adventures

-Cell phones die faster in colder temps or can be out of range, keep it close to your body or near chemical hand warmers, use a Garmin with emergency tracking.

-Stay up on bike maintenance. Test out different tire pressures for best traction, Hydraulic brakes, bleed break, studded tires.

-Water bottles can freeze: put alcohol in your bottle won't freeze as fast (unless you’re racing) also try putting your bottle upside down or a little tea in it, keep up against chemical warmers, or bring a canteen with hot tea or soup, put your coat over the top of your camelback and thread the tube down your sleeve.

-Food Bars freeze bring real food, keep it close to your body, stuff that won’t freeze, Carbo Rocket, Hammer Perpetulum, Scratch Labs, Hot tea, coffee, soup.

Special thanks to Studio 809 Podcasts Supporter and Community Partner, Springs Homes.

Pedal the Springs is produced by the Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort, the only bicycle-themed lodging and must-stay for cyclists coming to Colorado. Check us out at https://www.bicycleresort.com for more information.

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