How To Survive Winter As A Mountain Biker

Here In Colorado Winter is in full force now, I'm sure that's the same way with most people who live up here in the northern hemisphere. With snow covering the ground until the spring us mountain bikers might start getting cabin fever and begin dreaming of those warm summer days of riding backcountry epics and hitting the park.



#1 Go On Holiday

Mountain biking trips are some of the best experiences you can have with your bike and they might just change the way you perceive mountain biking forever. Most places in the world you can find a place to go on holiday with your bike in Europe much of southern Italy and Spain is accessible for biking year round and offers some of the best ridings in the world. Here in the states, many southern places have begun ramping up their trail production. For example places like Florida know for its magnificent beaches and sunny cities have some riding that is on the rise and can be quite fun. Other places such as Arkansas have made a name for themselves by building one of a kind trails that will keep you traveling there year round. However, going on a trip just for mountain biking may not go over well with your significant other or your wallet.



#2 Find a Local Indoor Skate Park

In the states, indoor skate and bike parks have begun growing rapidly whilst there might be a lump sum of a drive. They are always fun and will keep you coming back to practice your jibs and tweak out those tricks. Skateparks won't help your fitness but your skills will increase significantly as long as you keep at the trick you're trying to land when you get back on the trail you will have skills that will blow away your mates. Places such as Mega Cavern in Louisville, Kentucky, Rays in Cleveland Ohio, ProGresh in Thornton Colorado, Woodward In Tehachapi California will keep you up to par on your skills over the winter months.


#3 Start Going to Spin Classes

Many of you might think of spin classes as something from an Ariana Grande music video or your mom might do on the weekend but they are great for keeping up your fitness over the winter months and if you go with buddies they can even be fun (Yeah I said It). They might be expensive but most places allow you to purchase multiple classes at a discounted price. Many of us might just buy Zwift and just dwindle away on the trainer but classes force you to go somewhere and they are competitive which will make you push harder. Because if you're anything like me going on the trainer just means minimal effort and watching Netflix on the computer.


#4 Try Skiing and Other Winter Sports

Skiing is a staple of winter recreation but there are other sports you can do such as snowmobiling, Ice Skating, Sledding and My personal choice Hockey you can also try out other indoor sports like basketball and Indoor Soccer. Either way, the focus of doing these sports is having fun that you have when biking these sports aren't always as fun as riding our bikes but when you do it with friends they are often times much better than without.














Credit:

Ski Photo
“The Business of Skiing Study Abroad Program October 24, 2011.” Sick Stickz, 24 Oct. 2011.

Spin Class Photo
Levi, Anthea. “Ariana Grande's SoulCycle-Inspired VMA Performance Is Everything.” Health.com, 26 Aug. 2016, www.health.com/celebrities/ariana-grande-vma-spinning.