Are you also one of those who do NOT banish the bike in the basement in autumn, but brave wind and weather until spring? Sure, you could switch to bus and train. But squeeze in between all the sniffling and coughing people? We can understand why you’d rather get on your bike.

That’s why we’ve put together a few winter cycling tips to help you with your sustainable lifestyle. Footnote: Today is International Winter Bicycle Commuter Day. If nothing can stop you from cycling during your winter vacation, there are a few tour recommendations waiting for you at the end 🙂

Cycling tours in winter – No problem with a few precautions

Get your bike ready for winter

Lighting on your bike

Since the lights are an important safety feature, especially in the dark season, you should regularly check if they are still running. If you think it’s time for a new bike light, the independent consumer organization “Stiftung Warentest” tested bike lights in 2020. “The clear winner” was the Trelock LS 760 I-Go Vision front light. It illuminates 40 meters far harmoniously, which is why it is also suitable for “fast riders”. The cheapest “good” front light is the Sigma Aura 35 USB (already available for about 25 euros as a set with rear light).

Oil your bicycle chain more often

In winter, you need to take extra good care of your bike chain because it is more stressed by the weather conditions. Especially, slush is an enemy of the chain. If you oil the chain, dirt, and water will roll off by themselves. Tip according to The German National Cyclists’ Association (ADFC): The oil is applied to the joints of the chain (not the sides). It’s best to leave it on overnight and wipe off the excess bike oil with a rag the next morning.

Bicycle winter tires – yes or no?

Winter tires are not mandatory for bicycles. Unlike car winter tires, however, studded tires are allowed. According to the German tire manufacturer Schwalbe, studs are “the only safe solution” on ice and snow. The problem: Without snow and on asphalt, bicycle winter tires are less good. In changeable winter weather, the website of Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) in Germany recommends winter tires “rather not”.

Saddle protector and bicycle gloves

A saddle protector keeps your saddle try in the winter. If you don’t have one yet, there are fancy upcycling models on portals like Etsy. Here you can also find hand-sewn handlebar sleeves. Some just keep the grips dry, others can act as a muff.

Clothes make winter cyclists

With this equipment you stay warm during your bike tours in winter:

• Functional underwear: if you’re looking for a sustainable and natural material as an alternative to synthetic fibers, merino wool is great. Functional underwear made from merino wool keeps you warm, wicks away moisture, dries quickly, and can even be put in the washing machine. However, you should definitely make sure that the laundry is mulesing-free. The main importer of merino wool is Australia, where about 90% of sheep are mutilated by mulesing (skin folds are cut off the buttocks).
• Warm and waterproof gloves: Here there are special cycling winter gloves with extra grip.
• Ski mask under the bicycle helmet: Totally announced are up-to-date Balaclavas!
• Gaiters: Even if you wear already weatherproof shoes – additional rain overshoes protect your feet (and shoes). Our tip: VAUDE offers reflective gaiters with environmentally friendly Eco Finish (PFC-free).
• Rain poncho: Such a poncho is also helpful in snow! (Best in a bright, eye-catching color and with reflective elements).
• Possibly ski goggles: On longer tours with heavy snow, ski goggles can improve visibility on the bike.
• Windproof jacket: This should have (like the poncho) a bright color with reflective elements. Remember that dusk sets in early in the winter. Numerous studies indicate that a white (or neon yellow) jacket is much more visible than a blue or black one. Sustainability tip: There are waterproof soft shell jackets made from recycled materials (recycled nylon or recycled polyester. These fibers have the same product properties, but save important resources such as water and energy. At all costs, the material should avoid PFC. (You can read more about PFC at Greenpeace).

Adapt your riding style in the winter

The ADFC (German National Cyclists’ Association) recommends the following rules of conduct for riding in winter:

• Keep your distance
• Reduce your speed
• In curves, you should neither pedal nor brake, but only hold the handlebars. This applies in particular when riding on firm snow cover and in icy conditions.
• Brake only moderately and early.
• Avoid steering movements on black ice – just let the wheel roll in a controlled manner.
• Lower the air pressure in the tires for more grip on the road.

Which paths are best for biking in winter?

Bike paths are cleared much later than roads, so you should only use them in winter if they really pose no danger (e.g., from icy tracks of other cyclists). Often, the country road is the best choice if it is cleared of snow and has low traffic.

Extra tips for e-bike riding in winter

• Don’t leave the e-bike battery outside and do not charge until the battery has reached room temperature.
• Find a dry place to park your bike.

Don’t forget to drink

In winter, you feel less thirsty, so you should “force” yourself to drink on longer tours. Our tip: Fill your bottle and make sure it’s empty by the end of the tour (or section of the route).

Tea or hot soup are also suitable drinks for a bike tour in winter. All you need is an insulated bottle – without a sports cap, of course 🙂

Tour recommendations for your sustainable winter vacation

Many of the Green PearlsⓇ accommodations are happy to welcome cycling guests in winter. Here we would like to introduce you to some of them:

Cycling tours in winter along the Weser River at Hotel Okelmann’s

In the northwest of Germany, snow is rather rare in winter and on clear days the Weser cycle path offers an ideal opportunity to clear your head. At Hotel Okelmann’s, already run by the fourth generation of the Okelmann family, cyclists are welcome at any time of year.

Helmut Okelmann started to create the best cycling tours at Komoot about three years ago. You can find easy and intermediate bike tours between one and 4.5 hours. If you want to save the tour on your cell phone, you can get the QR code directly at the reception.

By the way: If you don’t need to spend the night, the Café Heimatliebe at Okelmann’s is worth a stop for a delicious piece of cake!

Bicycle instead of ski – Hotel Klosterbräu in the Alps offers a dry bike-parking place

When it comes to winter vacations in the Tyrolean Alps, most people probably think of skiing. But it’s also possible by bike, as Anja Buntz from the Austrian Hotel Klosterbräu reports. However, you should definitely have winter tires with spikes on!

You can park your bike (next to your skis) in the active cellar and relax in the hotel’s wellness suites with a private sauna. The winter atmosphere is particularly atmospheric here, as the Klosterbräu team lights 500 candles every evening.

A small drawback: the hotel’s own bike cleaning station is shut down in the winter (due to freezing pipes).

Cycling tours in winter in the Harz mountains at the Schlosshotel Blankenburg

Blankenburg (Harz) in Saxony-Anhalt is a state-approved health-resort because of its excellent air. In the Harz Mountains you will find a varied landscape with forests, river courses, moors, reservoirs and beautiful half-timbered houses. The weather is quite mixed in winter. However, the temperatures are usually above zero degrees, which is friendly to cyclists.

Bike paths are available in all levels of difficulty, and you can make a great tour with a mountain bike as well as your everyday bike. For example, an easy beginner’s tour is the “Blankenburg sandstone caves loop”, which has almost no incline and is suitable for all fitness levels.

The Schlosshotel Blankenburg offers a locked bike room for bicycles, including charging facilities for e-bikes. The service also includes a cleaning station where you can free your bike from mud.

Tip: If you start your winter bike tour at the Schlosshotel, take a delicious lunch package with you from there. 🙂

Hotel Sturm: Winter mountain bike tours in the biosphere reserve Röhn

There are many hikers in the Röhn in winter who practice “winter hiking”. If you say that’s also possible with a bike – then go for it! After all, in the Röhn lies one of the largest route networks for mountain bikes with comprehensive signposting.

But watch out: Depending on the weather, the area can turn into a winter wonderland and not only the lakes but also the moors are frozen!

You will find good contacts at the Hotel Sturm, where they can gladly help you find a safe route according to the weather conditions. Guided tours are also offered.

Gut Nisdorf and the Lifestylehotel SAND – Winter destinations at the Baltic Sea for cyclists

In winter, you can have an excellent vacation at the Baltic Sea. Many find winter freshness by the sea just as beautiful as sunshine. The plus point is that there are far fewer people on the road, and you have the beach all to yourself. The Gut Nisdorf on the Bodden coast (vacation apartments with organic certification) is considered a cycling highlight by Komoot.

If the weather cooperates, you can also choose one of the 66 bike routes around Timmendorfer Strand. At Lifestylehotel SAND, sustainable bamboo bicycles from the brand myBoo are rented for this purpose, which are excellently suited for the hilly landscape.

As you can see, there are many cycling destinations that are also attractive in winter – it’s just important that you winterize your bike beforehand and take care of your safety! Then nothing stands in the way of cycling tours in winter.

We wish you a good ride!

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