Mountain Biking In Snow: 4 Tips for Safe and Successful Ride

Posted by Miley Munroe on March 9th, 2020

When you hear mountain biking in the snow, it will most likely conjure up gorgeous images of you biking smoothly down or up a trail, surrounded by a pristine landscape blanketed by snow. Well, reality may be different. Most Lake Tahoe mountain biking trails paint a slightly less romantic picture, with a lot of them covered in frost and mud because of the many bikers that frequent those areas. But you must not let this fact put you off. Mountain biking in snow is a unique, exciting adventure that you must experience at least once in your lifetime. And we have just the right tips to help you out:

1. Gear up

When planning to ride your mountain bike in the snow, one of the most crucial things to remember is to get the right gear, starting from getting studs for your tires to wearing the right clothes. Because the conditions during winter are completely different from summer or autumn, you must learn about all the gear that you will need to keep your biking experience safe.

2. Start by going uphill

There are some trails for mountain biking in Lake Tahoe that are heavenly, but when you first embark on your winter biking trip, you must try to look for trails that go uphill. This will help you warm up by working up your entire body and even if you have to go downhill, do a shorter route. Once you warm up, you will feel much more relaxed and comfortable tearing through the icy winter air.

3. Learn about the route

It is not necessary that you only stick to the familiar trails in winter. Trying out new trails is quite thrilling, but it requires some amount of research. Find out the length of the trail so that you can time your ride accordingly. It is best to avoid night rides in winter. You can also ask people who have been on it previously for guidance.

4. Keep realistic expectations

You may be used to speeding through dirt trails in summer but keep in mind that winter conditions are different. The trails may be more muddy and slippery. It will take you more time to cover a trail. You may also be required to walk in certain areas. But it is such challenging situations that amp up the thrill and excitement.

Mountain biking in winter, especially when there is snow, maybe more difficult than in any other season, but that should not stop you from trying it out. It is only through experience that you will learn if you are truly up for it.

Author’s bio: The author is a blogger. This article is about tips for mountain biking in winter.