Bike
MTB
How to boost your winter biking motivation
Misplaced your motivation to get out on the bike? Here are a few tips on how to get going again.
1. Plan ahead (with friends)
If it’s cold and dark outside and you’ve already cosied up on the sofa with a film and a good cup of tea when your buddy calls to ask if you want to ride bikes in half an hour it's completely normal to feel reluctant.
Instead, plan ahead. Decide a day or two in advance that you’re going riding with some friends. Then you can mentally prepare for the cold and, instead of fearing it, you’ll start looking forward to getting out in the forest with your mates. It does work – promise!
Cool singletrack
© Mattias Fredriksson
2. Invest in proper equipment
Winter is colder, wetter and darker so make sure you’ve got the right equipment. It makes all the difference. Invest in a warm, water repellent bike jacket, maybe some long bike trousers to keep the cold, wet mud off your carves and some strong bike lights, so that you can ride both in daylight and after the sun has set. If it's good enough for Rachel Atherton, it's good enough for you:
Keeping your bike clean should also be top of your agenda. Clean bikes last longer and give components exposed to the muck and grit the best possible chance of survival. Invest in proper cleaning equipment and get into the routine of cleaning your bike after every ride. A sparkly bike that works properly will help to get you excited to ride.
3. Take it inside
Yep, you read it right. Take your bike inside. Find a BMX or skate park close to you that allows bikes and get sessioning with your friends. It's really good for your bike skills, awesome fun and you don’t have to clean half a kilo of mud off your bike when you get home.
Southbank, London
© Rich West
4. Find an alternative sport
It is totally OK (and probably good for you) to change things up a little during winter. Many pro riders find an alternative sport to keep motivation up. Climbing is a favourite, but skateboarding, skiing, ice hockey, swimming and yoga are also up there as popular alternative winter sports for the pros.
Skiing...
Or maybe ice hockey...
Whatever sport you choose, staying active and fit will all help you come the warmer trails of spring.
5. Get a gym routine (and set a goal).
Use your lack of bike motivation to get yourself in the gym instead. Strength training is really good and important for riders, as some muscles are used less than others on the bike.
Get booked in with a personal trainer or search the internet for some good exercises for bike riders. Set up a goal and strive towards it. Once spring is back out in force you’ll definitely feel the benefits.
Downhill rider Marcelo Gutiérrez working on his gym routine
© Mats Grimsæth/Red Bull Content Pool
