Commuting is a great way of getting out on the bike regularly throughout the winter. I always added extra miles on the way home. When it was icy I just stuck to gritted roads. Always used mudguards and overshoes and really good lights. Also built my own bike to be as low maintenance as possible and with nothing to rust or corrode, ie Ti frame, belt drive, hub gears, carbon wheels etc. Sadly I now work from home and find it MUCH harder to make myself go out on horrible days! When you HAVE to (I sold my car!) you just crack on with it!
Fully agree with riding offroad in snow. So much fun, where you apply the rear brake to get it to slide, no vehicles coming at you, making it a relatively safe and fun ennviroment. And on a massive plus, it improves your bike handling skills in general.
A music stand is such a hack. If your bored on zone 2 rides or can't get an app working, you can also use it for reading. Mine has some springy arms which hold the pages so you don't have to ride one handed, but you could easily rig up some elastic bands to do the same job. A great way to exercise the brain as well!
I commute along the Scotswood road and the riverside, turn up the bank opposite the Backyard Bike Shop and up Pilgrim Street. Got a Spa Cycles Elan steel with 105 and full guards. Ok on Goodyear Vector 4 season 700 32's, expensive but good tyres. Overshoes, put your skins over your overshoes, not under then the water doesn't pour into your shoes. Get good gloves, a light pair and a waterproof pair, Get a good waterproof saddlebag. Consider Carradice, go and waste your time looking at others then buy a Carradice. Good lights. Started using modern lubes this year (I'm 54) and the wet weather ones are good, like the Fenwicks and the Viking juice. Clean it after no more than three rides and prioritise the chain. If you can get a TI bike but don't think you'll need to clean it less.
You guys saved me 500 € by mentioning the tacx flux. Didn‘t know it existed and planned to buy a neo… if i ever reach 2000W i will happily treat myself with the upgrade. So, thanks - i love listing to both of you.
I have a flux 2, it falls between the neo and the Flux S. Its perfect for me. Just dont make the same mistake as i did, buy 2 good fans.After 45 minutes of effort you will overheat.
The north east honestly it will be blowing a gale and dry cold in winter used to have a season ticket for Sunderland and it was a dam site colder than Manchester and winder too
Merinos base layer, latex gloves under std winter gloves and winter mtb boost. And a 9 speed rear derailleur, cheap and low maintenance wit old xt cassette
fully agree, it has the clearance for mudguards and probably even some mounting points. My Canyon grizl has and even has a matching set of muguards that look good. Als the tyres are more grippy on the wet roads. Just perfect.
Rather than the usual Canadian hate for winter, the worst part isn't that you might have to change your riding style. But your rides must be shorter, and you must dress very carefully to avoid sweating. When it's below 0 degrees, sweat can end a ride, or if you're too far out on a mountain or fat bike it could lead to hypotheothermia.
Ski/snowboarding jackets, ski goggles, merino neck warmers, pogies/bar mitts, actual winter boots and platform pedals, studded tires. A pannier to have the option to take off or put on some layers. Most important: a big snow-eating grin.
Does it snow in the UK? That's my biggest problem in Germany. I don’t mind riding when it’s raining, I got clothes for that. But cycling in snow is impossible and the salt fucks your bike Btw. I’m living in Bavaria so high altitude and much snow 😅
No brainier, ware your booties under your tights, stops water getting in and toe warmers under your botties to stop your toes getting cold. I can’t ware Spatz, the brand name is horrendous and the booties make you look like a Power Ranger. I’d take a completely blank set tho.
Guy in white shirt seems entitled and a bit too sarcastic. Guy in blue shirt seems like striving for attention, while having a lot of knowledge, but not much self confidence. FYI I'm rooting for you guys, just seen a couple of your vids.
Winter training here in Eastern Europe where it gets down to -30C will test you in ways you've never thought of before
Commuting is a great way of getting out on the bike regularly throughout the winter. I always added extra miles on the way home. When it was icy I just stuck to gritted roads. Always used mudguards and overshoes and really good lights. Also built my own bike to be as low maintenance as possible and with nothing to rust or corrode, ie Ti frame, belt drive, hub gears, carbon wheels etc. Sadly I now work from home and find it MUCH harder to make myself go out on horrible days! When you HAVE to (I sold my car!) you just crack on with it!
Fully agree with riding offroad in snow. So much fun, where you apply the rear brake to get it to slide, no vehicles coming at you, making it a relatively safe and fun ennviroment. And on a massive plus, it improves your bike handling skills in general.
A music stand is such a hack. If your bored on zone 2 rides or can't get an app working, you can also use it for reading. Mine has some springy arms which hold the pages so you don't have to ride one handed, but you could easily rig up some elastic bands to do the same job. A great way to exercise the brain as well!
I love this talk. You two know how to train hard and probably could spend a lot of money but you are so "normal" and down to earth
I commute along the Scotswood road and the riverside, turn up the bank opposite the Backyard Bike Shop and up Pilgrim Street. Got a Spa Cycles Elan steel with 105 and full guards. Ok on Goodyear Vector 4 season 700 32's, expensive but good tyres. Overshoes, put your skins over your overshoes, not under then the water doesn't pour into your shoes. Get good gloves, a light pair and a waterproof pair, Get a good waterproof saddlebag. Consider Carradice, go and waste your time looking at others then buy a Carradice. Good lights. Started using modern lubes this year (I'm 54) and the wet weather ones are good, like the Fenwicks and the Viking juice. Clean it after no more than three rides and prioritise the chain. If you can get a TI bike but don't think you'll need to clean it less.
You guys saved me 500 € by mentioning the tacx flux. Didn‘t know it existed and planned to buy a neo… if i ever reach 2000W i will happily treat myself with the upgrade.
So, thanks - i love listing to both of you.
I have a flux 2, it falls between the neo and the Flux S. Its perfect for me. Just dont make the same mistake as i did, buy 2 good fans.After 45 minutes of effort you will overheat.
@@Koen030NL Thanks Koen 😀
The elite direto xr is a good option, too.
Never been to Majorica Puerto Pollensa! Cant be a die hard rider 😁
Best one is to spend the winter somewhere with a warm dry climate.
The north east honestly it will be blowing a gale and dry cold in winter used to have a season ticket for Sunderland and it was a dam site colder than Manchester and winder too
Merinos base layer, latex gloves under std winter gloves and winter mtb boost. And a 9 speed rear derailleur, cheap and low maintenance wit old xt cassette
I tend to use the trainer for base. Thankfully I moved somewhere I can ride year round now, but it is still cold out there.
Gravel bike are just the way forward for winter.
fully agree, it has the clearance for mudguards and probably even some mounting points. My Canyon grizl has and even has a matching set of muguards that look good. Als the tyres are more grippy on the wet roads. Just perfect.
Have you two changed the lighting setup? The lighting and colours seem to have improved.
Rather than the usual Canadian hate for winter, the worst part isn't that you might have to change your riding style. But your rides must be shorter, and you must dress very carefully to avoid sweating. When it's below 0 degrees, sweat can end a ride, or if you're too far out on a mountain or fat bike it could lead to hypotheothermia.
A pannier gives you the option of taking off or putting on a layer or two. Winter is not the time to optimize for aero.
Get good winter clothing and keep warm and make sure it does not rain. When you live in New Zealand you can’t just skip over to Spain.
I know what you're saying when you overheat. When I overheat i feel sick and tremble and i have to stop indoors. Outdoors i am ok.
Ski/snowboarding jackets, ski goggles, merino neck warmers, pogies/bar mitts, actual winter boots and platform pedals, studded tires. A pannier to have the option to take off or put on some layers. Most important: a big snow-eating grin.
Spatz!
I will say there is nothing like a 5+hour zone 2 ride on the indoor trainer. 💀
Does it snow in the UK? That's my biggest problem in Germany. I don’t mind riding when it’s raining, I got clothes for that. But cycling in snow is impossible and the salt fucks your bike
Btw. I’m living in Bavaria so high altitude and much snow 😅
Winter Boots 100%
I got a set of PlanetX winter boots with alpaca wool socks, best investment for winter riding.
Ride cyclocross 😉
No brainier, ware your booties under your tights, stops water getting in and toe warmers under your botties to stop your toes getting cold.
I can’t ware Spatz, the brand name is horrendous and the booties make you look like a Power Ranger.
I’d take a completely blank set tho.
Guy in white shirt seems entitled and a bit too sarcastic. Guy in blue shirt seems like striving for attention, while having a lot of knowledge, but not much self confidence. FYI I'm rooting for you guys, just seen a couple of your vids.