Cycling and More: Best Ways to Stay Active This Winter
Written by: Rémy Rossi | December 28, 2024 | Time to read 4 min
Don’t let the winter season put a freeze on your training goals and love of the outdoors. Here are some of the best winter e-Bike tips and activities to get moving!
More about the Author: Remy Rossi
Rémy Rossi is a bike writer, mechanic, and educator who got his start in community-based bike shops and co-ops. With a decade in the industry, he still wrenches on bikes when he can and plays bike polo on a fixie.
I love winter— but I hate the cold. That makes sense, right? A chill in the air and meteorological miracles like snow mean new outdoor opportunities exist, but you’ll have to bundle up. I like the edginess of cycling in the cold, showing off to everyone else who has decided to cozy up indoors. But again, if I start shivering, enjoyment levels head south pretty quickly.
I recently reported on how to ride during the winter months, including proper apparel and staying warm. There are additional ways to stay active this cold season if biking isn’t a possibility or if you want to take advantage of what else winter has to offer.
I recently reported on how to ride during the winter months, including proper apparel and staying warm. There are additional ways to stay active this cold season if biking isn’t a possibility or if you want to take advantage of what else winter has to offer.
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Brave the winter weather
My first recommendation is to keep up your riding habits during the winter— don’t let the cold weather stop you! Fair-weather cyclists hibernate during the winter, but as long as you have the proper apparel and gear, you’ll be able to enjoy those winter miles. Things like gloves, long layers, neck gaiters, and overshoes will help you stay warm and dry, even in the most biting of conditions. You may also want to winterize your e-Bike and install tires with a heavier tread pattern that grips better over water, ice, or snowy patches.
Fat biking anyone?
Fat tire bikes are uniquely suited for riding in snowy conditions. Riding a fat bike can extend your riding reason through the snowiest times of the year and offers a whole new kind of adventure compared to road cycling, riding an electric cruiser bike, or traditional mountain biking.
Fat bikes have 4” tires (or wider!) which can “float” over soft surfaces like snow and sand due to the increased surface area. The high volume of air and low tire pressure offer plenty of grip over slippery or loose snow. If your favorite snow paths get snowed in, fat biking allows you to continue exploring in almost any condition.
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See your trails in a new way
Similar to fat biking trails you’re already familiar with, exploring in the winter offers a whole new take on your favorite routes. Riding trails with heavy foliage and snow patches is a new challenge that changes the ride experience compared to other seasons.
Or maybe the trails are unrideable during the winter months— that’s a perfect opportunity to explore them by hiking or snowshoeing. Where my dad lives in Northern Michigan, the popular electric mountain bike forest paths there transform into groomed cross-country ski trails during the winter.
Indoor trainers are fun now
Indoor bike trainers are essentially amusement parks these days. Zwift and Wahoo trainers. Are equipped with virtual reality, social media features, and real-time races to gamify the experience. Staying in to get your workout in doesn’t have to be a chore and can actually be quite addicting. You can track your progress, catch up with friends, and explore famous roads, all from the comfort of your home.
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Don’t cycle, cross-train
I may forget it, but cycling isn’t the only form of exercise out there. If you can’t (or simply don’t want to) ride during the winter, you can stay active in a ton of other ways. Take a page out of my dad’s book and switch almost exclusively to Nordic skiing during the winter. Or go ice skating, snowshoeing, or swim in the heated gym pool (polar bear plunge not required). You’ll develop and exercise other muscle groups that aren’t as used when cycling.
Clean and service your bike
Another wonderful winter task is servicing your bike. If you’re planning on hanging up your wheels for a few months, take the time to give it a deep clean and fix any issues— this way is ready to go when winter thaws and the spring riding season starts. Bike shops are less busy during the winter so you can get that repair that you’ve been putting off done quite quickly. And if you aren’t going to be riding anyway, time isn’t a problem. For electric bikes, keep the battery at room temperature at charge levels between 30% and 60% for optimized storage.
Key Takeaways
Try Something New: Explore fat biking, snowshoeing, or Nordic skiing for fresh winter adventures.
Stay Indoors Smartly: Use high-tech indoor trainers for fun, social, and effective workouts.
