Why go on a winter ride?

With more snow predicted over the next week you might be starting to think that you'll never get a consistent training program going unless you grab a road bike and “pretend” your outside. This type of training might suit brain dead roadies, but for the likes of us mountain bike fans, we need to feel the terrain, get a sore ass and break some nails, no matter what winter throws at us.

Of course this is easier said than done especially when your sat at home with the fire blazing, the last thing in your mind is “you know what? I wanna go freeze at the local trail” but there are a great deal of reasons and advantages to taking your trusty steed out for a blast.

Reason One - No “everyday” walkers

Everyone in their time has had the annoying situation where a family with kid's just happened to pick the best mountain bike spot to go for their “pleasure walk”, now nothing is wrong with this but as a rider this can be the most annoying thing known to man. Without random kid's running around and having to concentrate on them more than the course you can never truly go full pelt, bring on winter where all these families stay indoors you probably have a whole mountain to enjoy, all to yourself.

Reason Two – Snow = Fun

Nothing is more fun than blasting around a trail when youur rear end suddenly slips out and you just manage to stay on the bike, the thrill, the fun, all this can be enjoyed 10 times more when the whole trail is covered in pure white slippery goodness.

Reason Three – Fitness

Not riding during winter can be disastrous come spring, last year I totally forgot that my mountain bike existed and come spring when the weather was warm and I was ready to hit the trails, I was lucky to make it out of the village alive. From this experience I know that bracing the harsh winter weather just one hour a week keeps me slightly fit and ready to tackle spring. This is why I recommend you go for a light or even rigour “fun” ride every week in winter, atleast then you can eat a bit more food for that winter jacket!

Reason Four (Males Only ^^) - Toughness

Nothing screams out your a man (or an insane man riding his bike) than going out in the snow and facing the harshness of winter head on, now I can't promise anyone will see you (all those “roadies” hiding in their warm houses) but if they do they'll be amazed at how manly you are as you slog through 3 inches of new snow.

Ok so I lied I could only think of four reasons, well one wasn't very good so three but I cant stress enough the importance of winter riding to your all year cycling enjoyment and with today's modern winter clothing you won't feel the cold.