{"id":20558,"date":"2017-09-14T10:41:31","date_gmt":"2017-09-14T09:41:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/?p=20558"},"modified":"2017-09-14T10:41:31","modified_gmt":"2017-09-14T09:41:31","slug":"10-tips-dont-panic-winters-coming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/10-tips-dont-panic-winters-coming\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Tips &#8211; Don&#8217;t Panic&#8230; WINTER&#8217;S COMING!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Well that&#8217;s about it. For those in the north of the UK, the warmer rainy season is over &#8211; it\u2019s almost time for the colder rainy season, AKA winter. However it\u2019s not all doom and gloom, there are some great things about winter. Actually, there aren\u2019t any. Here are some tips for surviving, or even getting a tiny bit of enjoyment from winter on a bike.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-18513 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/small-size-Climb-out-of-ArncliffeBW-768x432.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/small-size-Climb-out-of-ArncliffeBW-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/small-size-Climb-out-of-ArncliffeBW-1024x576.jpg 1024w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/432;\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Bike Prep<\/h2>\n<p>Keeping your bike in good condition through winter takes a bit of effort and persistence. Regular riding in rain on filthy roads can reduce the life of your chain and cassette. Minimise rapid wear by degreasing and lubrication your drivetrain after every ride. Wet weather <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/search?w=wet%20lube\">lubrication<\/a> will stick to the chain and cassette for longer and help give a longer life to your chain &amp; cassette. If you are going to be doing more group road rides through winter, get <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/search?w=mudguards\">mudguards<\/a> on. Don\u2019t forget your flaps too! A mud flap at the back will reduce splashing onto those behind. A flap on the front guard will stop feet from getting filthy. The extra wind resistance of the flaps will also build strength &#8211; it&#8217;s a<em> win win<\/em> for winter&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-20586 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/7CS_2866wideBW-768x433.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"433\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/7CS_2866wideBW-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/7CS_2866wideBW.jpg 800w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/433;\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Clothing<\/h2>\n<p>Proper clothing will make winter rides far more enjoyable. While a base layer will provide insulation and wick away sweat, top layers will help protect you from the wind and rain. Our latest product for wet weather riding, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/spatz-pro-cycling-overshoes-104357.html\">Spatz Pro<\/a>, will keep your feet and lower leg warm and dry. Made from the finest neoprene available and with a clever design, Spatz motto says it all, It&#8217;s raining &#8211; you&#8217;re training&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-20565 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/CSP_5242-Copy-Copybw-768x432.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/CSP_5242-Copy-Copybw-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/CSP_5242-Copy-Copybw.jpg 800w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/432;\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Get Cross<\/h2>\n<p>The best form of defence is attack&#8230; Competing in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/search?w=cyclocross%20bike\">cyclocross<\/a> through the winter months is a great way to gain fitness and develop new skills which can help your riding all year around. There are lots of beginner &#8216;cross events designed to give you a taste of the sport (and get you hooked). Cyclocross events often take place in public parks or open ground, courses are usually marked with tape and feature obstacles such as steps or boards which need to be jumped &#8211; either on foot or while still on your bike. Senior races usually last around an hour.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-20569 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/CSP5944-TR-BW-Copy-768x432.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/CSP5944-TR-BW-Copy-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/CSP5944-TR-BW-Copy.jpg 799w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/432;\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Coach Party<\/h2>\n<p>If you have trouble staying motivated through the cold, dark, wet days, having a coach to encourage you towards your goals could just get you through. Gone are the days when a coach would just shout at you. Modern coaching is a lot more client focussed. Driven more by the rider and their targets, not the coach. Our up coming video coaching series with Training-Pro.co.uk will provide useful riding tips, get in touch for professional <a href=\"http:\/\/www.training-pro.co.uk\/?page_id=11\">one to one coaching<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Winter Trails<\/h2>\n<p>If you usually ride on the roads, get out on the trails and have some fun! Short sharp efforts on an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/mountain-bikes-75266\/\">MTB<\/a> are great for fitness and challenging terrain will boost your skills. The middle ground between road and mtb of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/cyclocross-gravel-bikes-75268\/\">Gravel Biking<\/a> could also open up new routes and give a new outlook on your rides through the winter months.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-20566 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/P1020044c-768x486.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"486\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/P1020044c-768x486.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/P1020044c.jpg 800w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/486;\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Zwift<\/h2>\n<p>If staying warm and safe appeals, give Zwift a go! Hooking up your trainer to Zwift can provide the extra stimulation which the indoor trainer always needed. With group rides and races throughout the week, Zwift\u2019s world wide appeal means that early morning group rides could well evening group rides for Aus &amp; Kiwi Zwifters. Being an old-school grumpy luddite, I was surprised at how addictive it could be. Last January I clocked up 1000 k\u2019s on Zwift. Read our Zwift blog <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/zwift-somewhere-else-to-ride\/\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Strava Hunter<\/h2>\n<p>Right now is a great time to focus on Strava KOM\u2019s. If you still have some form from racing or riding a lot, put it to good use when the strong Autumn \/ Winter winds head our way. Make a mental note of the general direction of the segments, then just keep an eye on the weather forecasts. Stay safe though, no Strava kom&#8217;s are worth a hospital visit.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-20567 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/CSP5314-Copy-768x432.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/CSP5314-Copy-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/CSP5314-Copy.jpg 1000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/432;\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Get On Track<\/h2>\n<p>Should you live near one of the UK\u2019s six indoor velodromes, you have the perfect opportunity to keep fit and stay warm and dry while riding. Check to see if your local velodrome has introduction sessions. However, track cycling&#8217;s popularity means that they are very busy and can be booked up with league events and group sessions.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-20572 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/CSP6919-Copy-768x433.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"433\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/CSP6919-Copy-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/CSP6919-Copy.jpg 799w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/433;\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Club Rides<\/h2>\n<p>Winter is a great time to potter around the lanes with your ride mates, including a caf\u00e9 stop will help give a focus to your ride. Remember a fresh vest and under helmet cap for when it\u2019s time to hit the road for the ride home. Putting a cold, sweaty cap on is never nice.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-20571 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/CSP_5958-bw-Copy-768x433.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"433\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/CSP_5958-bw-Copy-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/CSP_5958-bw-Copy.jpg 799w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/433;\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Next year&#8230;<\/h2>\n<p>Entering an event for 2018 and give yourself the focus to keep training when the going gets tough. Having a weekly countdown and a fitness plan, stick to it and this will get you into shape and ready to tackle your upcoming challenge.<\/p>\n<h2>Don\u2019t be a D*ck!<\/h2>\n<p>Although we covered this in a recent <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/13-tips-stop-think-dont-dck\/\">blog<\/a>, it\u2019s worth repeating, the hospitals are full of people who over estimated their abilities. In winter this gets worse (icey roads, flood covered potholes etc) \u2013 let&#8217;s take it easy out there!<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-20573 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/CSP_6704-s-copy-copy-768x432.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/CSP_6704-s-copy-copy-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/CSP_6704-s-copy-copy-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/CSP_6704-s-copy-copy.jpg 1161w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 768px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 768\/432;\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Well that&#8217;s about it. For those in the north of the UK, the warmer rainy season is over &#8211; it\u2019s almost time for the colder rainy season, AKA winter. However it\u2019s not all doom and gloom, there are some great things about winter. Actually, there aren\u2019t any. Here are some tips for surviving, or even [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":20569,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[69,2464,4],"tags":[2515,2125,22,2071,2517,2516,2514],"ppma_author":[4632],"class_list":["post-20558","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cycling-how-to-guides","category-new-riders","category-news","tag-club-cycling","tag-cycling-fitness","tag-cyclocross","tag-winter-cycling","tag-winter-fitness","tag-winter-rider","tag-zwift-cycling","author-rick-robson"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>10 Tips - Don&#039;t Panic... WINTER&#039;S COMING! - Merlin Cycles Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/10-tips-dont-panic-winters-coming\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"10 Tips - Don&#039;t Panic... WINTER&#039;S COMING!\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Well that&#039;s about it. For those in the north of the UK, the warmer rainy season is over - it\u2019s almost time for the colder rainy season, AKA winter.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/10-tips-dont-panic-winters-coming\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Merlin Cycles Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2017-09-14T09:41:31+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.merlincycles.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/CSP5944-TR-BW-Copy.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"799\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"449\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Rick Robson\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Rick Robson\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.merlincycles.com\\\/blog\\\/10-tips-dont-panic-winters-coming\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.merlincycles.com\\\/blog\\\/10-tips-dont-panic-winters-coming\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Rick Robson\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.merlincycles.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/77bd80acebb6db707e763a0a69fc35df\"},\"headline\":\"10 Tips &#8211; Don&#8217;t Panic&#8230; WINTER&#8217;S COMING!\",\"datePublished\":\"2017-09-14T09:41:31+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.merlincycles.com\\\/blog\\\/10-tips-dont-panic-winters-coming\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":902,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.merlincycles.com\\\/blog\\\/10-tips-dont-panic-winters-coming\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.merlincycles.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2017\\\/09\\\/CSP5944-TR-BW-Copy.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"club cycling\",\"cycling fitness\",\"cyclocross\",\"winter cycling\",\"winter fitness\",\"winter rider\",\"zwift cycling\"],\"articleSection\":[\"How To Guides\",\"New Riders\",\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.merlincycles.com\\\/blog\\\/10-tips-dont-panic-winters-coming\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.merlincycles.com\\\/blog\\\/10-tips-dont-panic-winters-coming\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.merlincycles.com\\\/blog\\\/10-tips-dont-panic-winters-coming\\\/\",\"name\":\"10 Tips - Don't Panic... 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