Mountain Biking Over Winter

Winter riding can be fantastic: crisp mornings on empty trails and exciting night excursion, but to get the best out of off-season jaunts you need to plan. Let's look at the most important things to get right for winter...

The Trails

Pushing your bike through foot deep mud isn't fun, and some trails are impassable in winter. If you're on local turf you'll know where to avoid, but if you're going further afield it's best to buy a route map. Check out the wide range of guides stocked online or in-store to see if you're destination is covered. Trail centres are also a good winter bet as their trails are well maintained and designed to drain well.

Sustrans Aberdeen to John O Groats Cycle Route Map - £3.99

Time is short

Making the most of the light means early starts: if you're planning a day ride then packing kit and finishing bike fettling before bed makes for a quick getaway in the morning. Or, set off later and do a day-night ride, or even wait untill dark before you go. Night riding is great fun, and a decent light system makes it all the more enjoyable.

Another way to maximise trail time is to plan the route in detail before you set off. A GPS unit is a great way to keep a ride moving: upload the route before setting off and follow directions on screen - no more fumbling with maps in the rain! Garmin units start at £149.99 for the Edge 205,and combine all the functions of a bike computer with the added extras of a GPS.

Garmin Edge 205 GPS Bike Computer - £149.99	Lupine Betty 7 Front Light - £649.99

For avid map readers who don't want to ruin them in the rain, try Memory Map's excellent Toughprint Inkjet Paper. If you've got an all-in-one printer you can simply copy the area you need and you'll have a super-durable and completely waterproof map for your ride. Toughprint costs £14.99 for 25 A4 sheets, and you can print on both sides.

Your bike 

A few component changes can make all the difference in winter. Top of the list is a set of winter tyres. Wider spaced tread patterns help shed mud, and softer compounds grip wet rocksand roots. The Panaracer Trailraker (£27.99) and Bontrager Mud-X (£24.99) are both specifically designed for wet conditions.

 If you've been thinking about upgrading to disc brakes, now is the time to do it. Discs stop better in bad conditions and aren't affected by dirt at the rim; you also get more mud clearance by losing your V-brakes.

Panaracer Trailraker Folding Bead Tyre - £27.99	Hope Mono Mini - £119.99

Other kit

Sweating is less of an issue than on a hot day, but fluids are an important consideration. Hydration packs beat bottles hands down in winter as the mouthpiece is much less likely to get covered in trail crud. The Camelbak Mule (£69.99) is a very versatile pack with a three litre reservoir - enough for an epic winter ride - and plenty of pockets to stash your tools and energy bars.

If you're in need of more storage space then you might want to opt for a back pack. The bags from Deuter and Vaude have enough room to pack everything you're likely to need for a full day excursion, and most have been designed to accommodate a hydration pack bladder.

Good waterproofs will keep you dry and warm. Full-finger gloves and over-shoes are great for keeping your extremities working. Remember that more thin layers are better than fewer thicker ones for keeping you toasty. Enjoy!

Camelbak Mule Hydration Pack - £69.99	Deuter Cross Bike - £39.99

Pearl Izumi P.R.O Full Finger Gloves - £17.99	Gore Bikewear Oxygen Light Windstopper Overshoes - £29.99

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