Embracing the winter months doesn’t mean putting your mountain biking passion on hold. In fact, it’s the perfect time to enhance your skills, strengthen your body, and ensure you’re ready to hit the trails with gusto when spring arrives.
Set Winter Goals
Establish achievable biking-related goals for the winter, such as improving endurance or mastering specific techniques. Having clear objectives will keep you motivated.
Indoor Training Routine
Design a structured indoor training routine to maintain and enhance your fitness. Incorporate activities like stationary biking, strength training, and flexibility exercises to stay in peak condition.
You can design your own routine based on the equipment and facilities available to you. Alternatively, there are a number of training routines availael online that are designed specifically for mountain biking. Two that sping to mind are the 12-week MTB Fitness programme and Fit4Racing who offer plans designed around different types of mountain biking.
Invest in Cold or Wet-Weather Gear
Lets face it, few of us actually like riding in the cold and wet weather of winter. While there is deffintitely bad weather, despite what some might have you believe, having the right kit can help you make the most of the season.
Explore and invest in high-quality cold-weather biking gear. From thermal layers to weather-resistant outerwear, the right clothing will keep you comfortable and motivated to ride even in winter conditions.
Explore Winter Trails
Discover winter-friendly trails that are suitable for biking or hiking. Familiarize yourself with the terrain, and use this time to enhance your overall outdoor skills. Try different trails to focus on expanding your skills, or push your endurance. If your mountain bike trails are not ridable in the winter, try your hand at gravel riding.
Mindset Matters
Develop a positive mindset towards winter biking. Embrace the challenge, focus on the unique beauty of winter landscapes, and use this time to cultivate mental resilience. Getting motivated to go out on a rainy day is not easy. But you’ll be surprised ho wmuch you can have out in the woods spalshing trough puddles.
Nutrition and Hydration
Pay attention to your nutrition and hydration needs. Proper fueling and hydration are essential for maintaining energy levels, especially during cold weather.
Maintenance Check
Use the winter months to thoroughly inspect and maintain your mountain bike. Ensure that it’s in top condition for the upcoming season. This is an excellent opportunity to check wearable components such as your drive train, suspension and bearings.
Skill-Building Workouts
Incorporate skill-building workouts into your routine. This could include balance exercises, technical drills, and practicing bike handling skills in controlled environments. Struggle to bunny hop or hold manuals? The winter months could be the ideal time to practice skills like those that will keep you motivated and entertained now and will translate to your trail riding come the spring.
Connect with the Community
Stay connected with fellow mountain biking enthusiasts. Join online forums, participate in virtual challenges, and share your winter biking experiences. Fina local mountain bike club and join in their rides. The sense of community can be a powerful motivator. Follow Emerald MTB on Instagram for a daily dose of mountain bike insppiration and motivation.
Visualize Spring Rides
Keep the excitement alive by visualizing your spring and summer rides. Create a vision board or mentally plan your first few rides to maintain motivation.
Set a Target
Sign up for an event or a race and use the date as a target to keep you motivated. Having a definite goal will help you to stick to a training routine and continue riding over the dark winter months. The Biking Blitz cross-country series starts early spring and is open to riders of all levels. Over the summer months the Grassroots and Gravity Enduro Series are other great targets for your calendar.
Plan a mountain biking holiday, either on your own or better still with a group. The anticipation and shared excitement will be a powerful motivator to keep you on your bike. Take a look at some of the destinations which offer mountain biking specific tours.
By embracing the winter months with purpose and dedication, you not only stay motivated but also ensure that when spring arrives, you’ll be a stronger, more skilled mountain biker ready to conquer new trails. Winter is not a setback; it’s a valuable opportunity for growth and preparation.
