Grit and grime working themselves into a grinding paste on your drivetrain, the sche-schenk sche-schenk of dirt rubbing on your brake rotors, snot all over your gloves, cold feet and a soggy bum. There are many reasons to avoid winter gravel riding. But also, so many reasons why you should do it. Claire Frecknall digs out her favourite waterproof jacket and heads out into the cold.

The temptation to just sit on your sofa all cosy and warm, binge watching the latest Netflix series is huge, but what about all that hard-won fitness you’ve built up over those heavenly summer months? Remember those - leaving the house in just shorts and a jersey for a long day in the saddle, enjoying the dusty trails, lengthy al fresco coffee stops and seeking out shady woodlands for a break from the heat? Bike maintenance was limited to a light dusting of your frame and the occasional application of dry lube. Ah, bliss….

But forget all that, it will soon be a distant memory as you stand shivering in the garden hosing mud off your winter boots before struggling to remove them on the doorstep with your useless numb hands. And that’s before all the bike and clothes cleaning that takes three times as long as the ride did…..

There is the option of switching to Zwift (other indoor cycling platforms are available) for a few months - it certainly makes a quick mid-week training session more convenient, but pedaling static yet sweaty in the garage (call it a Man Cave if you must) doesn’t ever compare to getting outside and riding your bike in crisp fresh air, feeling the crunch of frosty grass under your tyres, weaving your way through the puddly slalom that’s formed on your local gravel path or surfing the wheel slip over a wet root. 

With a little preparation winter cycling can be a joy. It may take a bit more motivation to get yourself out the door, but I can only think of one time I’ve wished I hadn’t bothered and that was down to my own poor preparation.

Always keep your tyre sealant topped up and don’t do up your valves so tight that you can’t remove them to put the emergency tube in, that’s my tip…..

Yourself

Keeping yourself warm, dry and comfortable is key. Layers are your friend and it’s always best to take an extra one in case the weather changes or for when you’re stopped. What’s comfortable for riding in will soon not be enough if you stop for a mechanical or coffee. This is especially important on group rides when pauses, faffs and waits are inevitable.

Here in the UK, a lightweight waterproof is a good idea throughout most of the year and almost essential in the autumn and winter. My waterproof jacket is one of the most wallet-upsetting bits of clothing that I own, but it’s super lightweight, fits easily in a jersey pocket and is a godsend in a downpour. It’s also just as a good as a windproof layer when there’s a chill in the air. A good wicking layer next to your skin - ones made from Merino wool are great – will also help keep you dry and warm.

I suffer terribly with cold hands and feet and have tried almost everything to stay warm - various gloves, merino liners, winter boots, neoprene overshoes and even the old trick of tinfoil over the toes. I even invested in some heated insoles for when it gets really cold. Having space for trapping warm air around your fingers and toes will help, as will making sure your arms and legs stay toasty - if the blood is already cold by the time it reaches your extremities, you don’t have much hope of keeping those little pinkies cosy. Dedicated all season riders will have a pair of winter boots that are a size bigger than normal so they can fit a thicker sock in and many people choose a merino pair as they tend to stay warm even when they inevitably get wet. If you can’t afford a new set of insulated booties, then overshoes are a good cheap option for keeping rain and mud off and warmth in. 

The same idea works for gloves and windproofness is just as useful as warmth and waterproofing. Buying larger gloves and adding a silk or merino liner is something many riders swear by too. A pair of latex gloves pack down tiny in your spares kit, they’re great for mechanicals and double as a waterproof liner if it chucks it down with rain unexpectedly.

It’s all down to your physical make up, some riders need five layers and all the thermals and will still end up cold whilst others are comfortable with just a thicker top, long finger gloves and a pair of knee warmers - you lucky things.

It’s worth remembering that not every ride has to be a multi-hour epic across the moors, especially in winter. A short hour or two blast around your local trails is just as good - find that weather window and make the most of it. Or try some bike handling and skills training around your local carpark, explore the scruffy woodlands and back alleys around your town, or how about a few hill reps somewhere just a few minutes from home? It’s all valuable training that will come in useful later. How about trying cyclo-cross? It’s the perfect sport for winter - a quick but intense blast around a muddy field, local races are always really inclusive and it really doesn’t matter if you end up on your arse, even the pros do.

Having a selection of like-minded friends can be a godsend through the darker wetter months. If there’s a ride arranged with others it’s harder to back out of than making excuses just to yourself. Just knowing there’s someone waiting for you makes it easier to poke a front wheel out the door. There’s also the shared experience of doing something stupid together and the safety aspect of having an assistant on hand should you fall and hurt yourself.

Your bike

Your winter maintenance routine is very important if you don’t want to end the season by handing large sums of cash over to your local bike shop. Any moving parts are going to take a hammering from the rain, road salt and grime you’re going to inflict on your bike over the next few months. Preventative measures in the form of some careful cleaning and regular regreasing will help protect those expensive parts from the elements.

As tempting as it is to fire the jet wash or hose on your bike when you get home, a bucket of water and a brush will do the same job (admittedly slightly slower) but without blasting away all the protective grease from your moving parts. Degreaser should be used sparingly and unless you remove your chain and cassette for cleaning (and who has the time or patience for that?) it will eventually work its way into your freehub and hub bearings, so it’s worth removing the rear wheel from time to time to clean the internals up, check it’s all running smoothly and apply a fresh layer of protective grease to see you through the next month of lazy cleaning. 

Keeping your chain clean and grit free is important, don’t be tempted to just pile layer upon layer of sticky lube to your already grubby chain as it will create a horrible black mess that will get all over your hands if you have a mechanical and it will also prematurely wear your expensive cassette and chainring(s). There are hundreds of chain oils to choose from so read reviews and ask around to see what’s favourite to deal with your level of mud/grit/grime/slurry/dirt. Remember to check your chain for wear from time to time and replace it before things get too bad, a worn-out chain can prematurely destroy both chainrings and cassette so what could have cost just £/€/$30 can become hundreds if it’s left too long.

Tyre choice is a topic that will come up regularly whenever you get a group of cyclists together and will always bring up a vast array of opinions. The truth is there is no perfect winter tyre, especially for a gravel bike as everyone’s idea of ‘gravel’ is different! If you’ll mainly be sticking with your usual offroad routes over winter then you’ll need something grippy and suitable for your area’s specific type of mud. Or maybe you prefer to keep yourself a little cleaner and will be riding more paved surfaces, in which case a slicker option will suit you better. If you’re lucky enough to have two wheelsets, you can transform your bike from road to offroad modes in under 10 minutes. It may seem like a luxury but it's far cheaper than buying two bikes… in case you needed any justification.

Accessories 

Mudguards come in a range of shapes and sizes these days and whether you want to commit to a full set of fitted metal fenders or a minimal flap of clip-on bendy plastic, they will both go some way to help keep you dry and comfortable. There is not much worse than a cold soggy chamois five minutes into a ride.

I’m a firm believer that a decent set of lights are essential to make the most of winter gravel riding. Without them most of the 9-5ers among us can rule out any bike action during our working week. Not only will a reliable set of lights extend your bike time by giving you the ability to ride on and off road safely during the dark winter evenings, but they have the ability to make the bits of trail you know like the back of your hand become something new and exciting. Mysterious eyes shine back from the flickering shadows, there are scary noises as wildlife runs away through the undergrowth and even the vapour from your breath takes on an eerie glow. It’s all just a little more magical in the dark. There’s a vast array of models to suit every budget and brightness with some offering entire days, or nights, of light. 

Other things

There will be days that despite your best preparations and intentions are going to be just too awful to go outside, but that doesn’t mean any cycling opportunities have to be tossed in the bin and you have to ride the sofa instead - there are plenty of other things to do to benefit your cycling life.

You could try yoga/pilates/core work. Looking after your body is just as important as looking after your bike and keeping in tip-top condition will mean you can ride further and faster when the time comes. The internet is full of videos with cycling specific training exercises that can be done on the front room carpet and it’s quite possible to get a sweat on when you’re only two inches off the floor. It may sound boring but trust me, it will be one of the best things you can do to benefit your cycling life. 

Plan some adventures for next summer. There are so many inspirational articles, films and books available, many of them with GPX routes on offer, or if you wanted a real challenge, you could try planning your own.

Go on, get yourself out there this winter! It may take a little extra determination and a lot more cleaning, but you definitely won’t regret it. 

Just remember to check that your tyre valves aren’t done up too tight before you set off…