Archive: This article describes Peak Ascent Cycles in 2019. The shop’s closure was announced in September 2026.
This guide adapts winter riding advice shared by Peak Ascent Cycles in 2019. Check the weather and road conditions before setting out, and consider postponing a ride if conditions are unsafe.
10 winter cycling tips
Plan for colder temperatures, reduced daylight and changing road conditions.
1. Wear layers that can be adjusted as you warm up, and avoid clothing that could catch in the chain or wheels.
2. Wear suitable gloves while making sure you can operate the brakes and gears.
3. Take food and water appropriate for the length of your ride.
4. At night, your cycle must have lit white front and red rear lights and a red rear reflector. Amber pedal reflectors are also required on cycles manufactured after 1 October 1985. See Highway Code rule 60.
5. Mudguards can reduce road spray on wet rides.
6. Reflective clothing and accessories can help other road users see you in the dark. Flashing cycle lights are permitted; the Highway Code recommends a steady front lamp on unlit roads.
7. Check the wind forecast as well as the temperature, and take strong gusts into account when deciding whether to ride.
8. Choose tyres appropriate for the bike and conditions, and check their pressure and condition before riding.
9. Inspect the brakes, tyres and moving parts regularly, and clean off accumulated road grime.
10. Plan a route with the weather, daylight and road surface in mind. Consider a shorter route or a way to cut the ride short.
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