Winter Series – Part 1 – Condoring through the apocalypse

So, the last of the autumnal weather is starting to dissipate (after an unseasonably warm October/November) and the bad weather seems to be settling in. Your season goals may be way past and your road bike either tucked up in mothballs or attached to a horrible contraption that allows you to ride in the company of your family/housemates as well as a haze of your own sweat.

Lovely stuff.

Through just a few small steps, you can get your bike “winterproofed”, get your mojo back and enjoy that camaraderie that just isn’t possible unless you spend a few hours out in the elements with a band of brothers/sisters, tackling whatever is thrown at you.

I’ve compiled a few top tips to get you back on the road.

The Bike

Your bike is incredibly adaptable. Most frames will take either clip on or fixed mudguards, which give the benefit of you not getting water splashed up from the road, your groupset doesn’t get as much flicked onto it and the person behind you doesn’t get a face full of “Belgian toothpaste”. A win all round. At a minimum, an “ass saver” (google it…..) is a good purchase.

You want to stay rubber down, and comfortable for those long, low level rides so get bigger tyres. Most frames will take at least a 25mm tyre, some up to 28mm. This gives you increased traction and more of a cushion. Check your tyres regularly for cuts and bits of grit in the rubber as this will save you much pain in the long run……

And finally keeping it clean….. It will get dirty. There is an emphasis on less is more, as you run the risk of sluicing out the essential grease from the bottom bracket bearing, wheel bearings and headsets (speak to J.Kirby for horror stories!). Wiping down the groupset (chainrings, chain, cassette, jockey wheels) with baby wipes is quick and easy, remembering to re-oil the chain afterwards. Dry the bike down when washed to reduce rusting.

You

Weather

Once you’ve decided to go out for a ride, or join another ride, be clear about one thing – the weather. This will guide your clothing options and fuelling. The other point is go out with an aim. This will keep your motivation to step out of the door.

If its cold and dry – FABULOUS! These are great days to get out, layer up (extremities need special attention – shoe covers and wind proof gloves help) but don’t go too over the top, as you may over heat. An extra layer in the pocket (gilet etc) can help if the temp drops. I love these days.

If its wet, don’t assume you will need every layer in your wardrobe – quite often this just means you will carry more water. Wetter days are often a little warmer than you think. And remember, you will get wet, that’s just part of the fun!

Fuelling

This isn’t rocket science, but you still require fluids in the cold and wet. So consider the intensity of your ride and plan accordingly. Are you planning to stop? What have you got in your pocket? Throw a gel in either way as a back up.

Routes

If going out alone, consider safety as paramount. You don’t have the luxury of endless hours of warmth and daylight if you have a problem. Let someone know you are going and charge your phone.

As to what route to plan, road surfaces are rarely good at this time of year, with mud from farms on smaller tracks and grit from the council on larger roads. If there is a risk of ice, stick to bigger roads where there is a likelihood of more vehicles having warmed up the surface, and being gritted. Maybe go out a little later, depending on forecast.

The Club

We ride all year. It can be a little more ad-hoc in the winter, but there is usually at least 1 ride out on the weekend and often on tues and thurs eves.

If you are planning to come to someone else’s ride, consider a few points

• Can I deal with that speed and distance. IS it going to push me too much or perhaps not enough (both can be frustrating!).
• Is my bike going to be able to deal with this? As much as your legs might be willing to do 60 miles at 20mph, having mudguards and fat tyres will probably mean this isn’t going to happen!
• Are they stopping for coffee (important for fuelling considerations)
• Does this fit with what I want to do?

The key thing is that you may need to be adaptable. If a ride isn’t exactly what you wanted, but close, then go for it. If the weather has been saying all week its rain, you’ve said you are coming to the ride, then ride. No one likes a flaky Fred!

If you don’t see a ride you want to do – then set one up!

Think of a safe route you would like to do, advertise where to meet, what time and the plan for the ride and, voila! You are away.

Club no-no’s;

• If its going to be windy, don’t turn up with ridiculous deep section wheels. No one will want to ride with you!
• Put the hammer down with a tailwind and have nothing left for the return leg into a block headwind. We all have to do this at least 10 times to learn it 😉 Learn from the more experienced riders.
• Don’t spend all your time on the front half wheeling (google it, or watch Anthony) and remember safety outweighs a 0.001mph average speed improvement from risking a junction, wet corner etc.
• Bring your own food! No one minds that one time you forgot to pick up a bar on the way out, but they will if you are a repeat offender. Same goes for puncture repair kit and a way home if you have a serious mechanical.

Club dos;

• Schedule a coffee stop on your ride. It’s the best thing about going out!
• Enjoy some downtime from hard training. Enjoy being on the bike.
• Be brave and offer to lead a ride. There is less “performance” pressure in the winter, start with something small and build up your confidence.
• Wave at other clubs, KTFU!

Jonny

 

EDIT p.s. for any Condors looking for an alternative to Jonny’s ‘ride or die’ outside mantra, check out the British cycling article detailing how to get the most from training on your turbo or rollers here (shhh don’t tell him)