Is there ever an “off season” for cycling?
I like riding my road bike best when temperatures are in the mid-60s, and the sun is shining. There is also something magical about a fall ride when the temperatures start in the 40s and the sun is masked slightly behind high clouds and the trees seem to glow. We are now moving into the season when most of my outdoor riding will be done at night, and I will need to bundle up in multiple layers, taking what seems like hours to get dressed for a thirty-minute ride.
Road cycling is just one aspect of cycling in, and around, Springfield. Just a few weeks ago, the Springfield Park District hosted a cyclocross event. If you have never experienced cyclocross, picture taking your road bike, putting mountain bike tires on it, riding a relatively short racecourse over a combination of rough terrain—such as deep mud, sand, rocks, or manmade obstacles—for several repeating laps. This steeplechase-type bike race also may involve cyclists dismounting their bikes and running up stairs or steep embankments.
The professional “cross” season began this fall in the US with races in Waterloo, Wisconsin, Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Iowa City, Iowa. The UCI calendar then travels to Europe for 13 more races in Belgium, Netherlands, and France which take place through the end of January.
I enjoy watching this sport much more than racing but did give it a try at the Park District’s event on Saturday, October 23. There are several cross races in our area. Be sure to check out a local race in the future or watch one on some streaming platform. I am very impressed with the fitness level of these athletes.
Fat-tire riding is another way to keep active during the winter months. Originally designed for riding across snowy trails, these bikes have now turned up underneath ultra-distance explorers, and non-cyclists alike, looking for an alternative to exercise during the winter months. Most of these bikes have huge 3.8” tires what create a wide contact patch with the ground, helping gain traction on slick and loose surfaces. The result is a lower pressure that will float the rider of snow, sand, mud, wet roots, rocks and other terrain that would otherwise be impassable.
Regardless of the type of bike you ride, you can still experience riding in the off season. Don’t hang up your bike at the first sign of a snowflake or clip it on the trainer. Instead, get out there and ride. Studies have shown that riding outside, bundled up, will not only use more calories, but your body will learn to use oxygen more efficiently. When it comes to riding outside, be sure to layer your clothing. Realize that you will be cold at first. If you are already warm when you get outside and begin riding, you are dressed too warm. Do not ignore your extremities. Your hands and feet will get cold first. Bar mitts are a good option for keeping hands toasty, especially in windy conditions. Look to your outdoor sporting equipment for cycling. Ski googles and gloves are great winter cycling equipment, too.
I mention cross and fat bikes above, but you do not need a new bike to ride outside. Maybe you already have an unused mountain bike in your garage. Sometimes it might just be you need a new piece of gear, or two, for your current bike. A different set of tires for your road bike—one that would allow more traction and a bit lower tire pressure would be good. Fenders are a great add-on for your bike, especially if roads and trails get sloppy. Did I mention you will need lights? One buddy I ride with feels you can never have enough lights to be seen by everyone, but you for sure want to be seen by all motorists.
Be sure to wash your bike after every outside ride during the winter. Sure, this seems like a good reason to go with putting it on the trainer, but really, what fun would that be?
We may have a few more weeks of fall, but winter will be here soon. Make your bike ready and I will be ready to ride with you.
Wave to me if we meet on the road or trail.
Troy Gilmore
President, Springfield Bicycle Club