Five tips for riding through winter as a Family
Here are our top tips for riding as a family throughout the winter months, so you can all beat the colder temperatures, and can continue to have fun spending time together on your bikes.
Tip 1 - Choose the appropriate clothing
Keeping you and your family warm on winter rides is vital to help you all have a fun and enjoyable experience.
Our list of essential clothing items are:
- Gloves
- Thick socks
- Scarf / buff
- Lots of layers! (e.g. long-sleeve base layer, t-shirt / vest, jumper, and a coat)
If you leave the house already feeling cold, then it will be very hard to warm up. So layer up before leaving the house and ensure you are all feeling ready to brave the conditions!
Tip 2 - Always pack some snacks!
There is no better motivation for getting outside on a cold day than knowing that there is a tasty treat waiting for you!
Maybe you and your family have a favourite café nearby or perhaps there is a café you have been meaning to try? Well, this is ideal motivation for getting out on your bikes, as it gives you and your family a destination to aim for, with a yummy reward waiting for you when you arrive.
If you do decide to stop at a café, it is a good idea to bring an additional spare layer such as a rain jacket to prevent you from getting cold whilst stopping.
Alternatively, if you are heading somewhere more remote or looking for a cheaper option, packing a flask of hot chocolate and some homemade snacks is an ideal option for you and your family.
Here are some links to a selection of delicious, energy-boosting snacks that you could put in your pockets / bag, to keep you and your family well fuelled and motivated.
Whichever option works best for you and your family, having a snack prepared is an important part of winter rides as it provides motivation and ensures everyone is filled with energy!
Tip 3 - Consider route options
Finding the right route for your family is important. Considering the individual needs and abilities of each family member will allow you to choose a route that is well-suited to everyone.
Maybe a ride around the local park suits your family best, or perhaps a trip to ride around the forest tracks meets your family's preferences better.
There are many options when it comes to choosing a route and you can find some inspiration by following this link
Bonus Tip! If appropriate, including a hill of some kind within the route is a good idea on winter rides, because it gets the heart pumping faster, helping you to keep warm!
Tip 4 - Check your bikes are in good-working order
To reduce the chance of needing to stop mid-ride to sort out mechanicals, we recommend checking over your bikes before setting off.
Here is a short video to help you - check your bike is safe to ride - a how to guide
If someone gets a puncture during the ride, ensuring that you have a puncture repair kit and a pump with you is also very important.
Tip 5 - Attend a guided family ride
If you are looking for a free family day out without the need to plan a route, then look at attending a guided family ride.
These rides provide you and your family with the opportunity to meet likeminded people, make new friends and be shown around the local area by an enthusiastic and friendly ride leader.
Here is a link to help you to find guided rides happening near you.
We hope that these five top tips will allow you and your family to embrace the winter weather and enable you to reap the many amazing benefits that cycling brings!
Don’t forget to share your photos with us using the #RideThroughWinter hashtag. We love to see people having fun on their bikes all year round and sharing your experiences will help to inspire other families to get out on their bikes too!
And most importantly, don’t forget to smile, have fun on your bikes and make some happy memories together
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