The days are short and the weather is cold, but that doesn’t need to get in the way of your cycling goals. We have five tips to keep you riding strong this winter so you can have even more fun on your bike this spring:

1. Dress in layers with performance fabrics
2. Be ready for changing weather conditions
3. Plan your route with conditions in mind
4. Try one of our favorite winter rides
5. Ride inside

Dress in Layers with Performance Fabrics

The right winter gear can make cold weather much more enjoyable. You want to avoid overheating and select fabrics that will wick sweat away from your body. Sweat-soaked clothes next to your skin will form a conductive pathway for heat to leave your body. So, overdressing can make you colder rather than warmer. Dressing in layers allows you to shed pieces of clothing as you begin to warm up, and knowing how to dress for different temperatures can help you be adequately prepared. Look for materials that are either synthetic or wool and avoid cotton.

Be Ready for Changing Weather Conditions

Consider where you are riding and the possibility of changing weather. In Roanoke, you might warm up on a long climb and start to sweat considerably, only to find yourself shivering at 3,500 feet of elevation as you fly downhill for 20 minutes. It can be helpful to take layers off as you climb and add them back as you descend.

Plan Your Route with Conditions in Mind

Route choice can make a big difference in winter, especially in the mountains. Keep the following in mind for the coldest days. 

• Stick to lower elevations: Temperatures will drop as you go up in elevation and rain turns to snow. Long road or gravel descents can be cold, and possibly worth avoiding on really cold days.
• Try off-road routes: The slower speeds of mountain biking and gravel riding can make off-road adventures more comfortable in cold weather than the paved variety.
• Consider local conditions: If there is no snow at your house, that doesn’t mean your route will be clear. Parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway are often snow covered when other places are not. Snow can linger on north facing mountain bike trails at high elevations much longer than you might like—but the south facing trails will clear much sooner. 
• Be aware of freeze-thaw: The ground dries slowly in winter, so trails are usually wet if it is above freezing. Riding muddy trails can damage the trails, but when it is below freezing and trails are frozen solid, they are safe to ride. However, as soon as temperatures warm, or as soon as the sun comes out, expect those trails to get muddy again. Trails like the lowers at Carvins Cove should be avoided when conditions are warm and trails are wet. Trails that are rocky and more shale-based, like Mill Mountain and many local back country trails, usually drain well and can be ridden year-round.
  

Try One of Our Favorite Winter Rides

You can join us all winter long on Saturday for road and gravel rides from our Grandin store, or at Carvin’s Cove for mountain bike rides on Sunday. You can also check out one of our favorite winter rides if you prefer to head out on your own.

Winter Road Routes

• L’Eroica Four Crossings: This is a classic low-traffic local route. This is a good winter option because it avoids high elevations and long descents. The short climbs will keep you warm, but the descents aren’t so long you will get too cold.  
• Bradshaw Loop: This is another classic local route that avoids high elevations and cold descents. 

Winter Gravel Routes

• Bedford Gravel: This ride stays below 1,100 feet and is composed of mostly rolling gravel. The short climbs will keep you warm, and the descents aren’t long enough to get overly chilled.
• Carvins Cove: This gravel route is well sheltered by surrounding trees, which will help lessen the effects on wind on your ride. This route does climb to almost 2,500 feet, so you might see some snow at the top.
• Pocket Full of Carrots: This route stays below 1700 feet and is composed of mostly rolling gravel. The short climbs will keep you warm, and the descents aren’t long enough to get overly chilled. You can also head straight into downtown Fincastle post-ride for some food to warm you up. 
• Franklin County Adventure Gravel: This route includes a climb that will be a hike-a-bike for most and 7 miles of singletrack along Phillpott Lake. The breaks from the open road will help keep you from getting too chilled, and lots of punchy climbs will keep you warm. You are also never far from a cyclist-friendly store where you can stop in and warm up. Some riders will prefer a mountain bike on this route.
  

Winter Mountain Bike Routes

• Mill Mountain (Intermediate): Mill Mountain trails are usually rideable all season long, as they are largely rock and shale. Some sections can get wet. If you come across large portions of mud, you can dismount and walk. Never try to ride around mud by going off the trail—this will widen the trail over time and can cause damage.
• Carvins Cove Reach Around (Intermediate): Some trails at Carvins Cove should be avoided when it is above freezing during winter, but others are usually safe to ride. This route avoids some of the wetter trails.
• Arcadia (Advanced): These trails drain well and are rideable all year. Winter and early spring are some of the best times to ride in these areas before brush and tall grass grows on some of the less-traveled trails. 
• Spec and Dody (Advanced): These trails drain well and are rideable all year. Dody Ridge is a south facing trail, so snow will clear from that side of the mountain earlier in the winter. Spec Mine is north facing, so it could hold snow longer.
  

Ride Inside

Sometimes it’s just easier and more comfortable to ride inside. Indoor riding is efficient, safe, and warm in the winter. Spend some consistent time inside, and you will be ready for big rides as soon as good weather hits. Learn everything you need to know about indoor riding in our Indoor Ride Guide.