You don’t need to grind through bike rides when the weather isn’t on your side. In fact, cycling at home with indoor cycling apps like Zwift has never been as realistic as outdoor riding, plus it comes with a whole load of extra benefits too.

It’s the best-kept secret that professional cyclists have been using for years. Even while pro riders, like the cyclists in the Tour de France, have to race on a specific route each day (no matter the weather) when they’re training, they’ll very often recreate sessions indoors when the weather goes AWOL. Let’s take a look at how you can train like a pro and never miss a bike ride, even when faced with downpours and heatwaves.

What Weather Would Get Me Cycling Indoors?

Perhaps the biggest benefit of training indoors (and there are quite a few to choose from) is that you can create a stable environment to train in. The conditions outside are constantly threatening our riding plans. But your training space is constant and unaffected by things beyond your control, like the weather.

The Cold & Wet Winter Season

Winter is an obvious culprit. The deep cold can make cycling outside a lot more challenging. From spending time getting changed and putting on enough layers to even get out the front door, to worrying about getting a puncture and changing a tube with frozen fingers – a lot of winter riding can be a real challenge.

Rain can also put a halt to many bike rides. Cycling in the rain is perhaps even more difficult, especially when combined with cold winter conditions.

There’s always time for riding outside, but if you’re trying to train regularly, riding away from harsh winter conditions is a lot easier.

Tour de France-Style Scorching Temperatures

However, it isn’t just winter where cycling indoors can save your morale from dipping. Summer conditions can also create climates that are simply too difficult to ride in, or too difficult to train effectively in.

We’ve seen this recently in the Tour de France. With heatwaves forecast across Northern Europe, riders and teams knew they were in for a big battle to manage the hot weather. It takes a herculean effort from the whole staff to keep the riders cool. From preparing ice vests before stages to handing out ice packs during the race, the riders are on a constant mission to stay cool and hydrated. They’ll also prepare through months of heat training beforehand, so they’re ready to ride in the heat of a European July.

For the average cyclist, training or racing with this amount of support simply isn’t possible. Plus, the risks of training in such hot weather wouldn’t be worth it. Poor performance is one reason (simply not being able to put enough power through the pedals because it’s too hot) but there are also more serious potential risks like dehydration and heat stroke.

Moving these rides indoors can improve performance and reduce any potential risks associated with training in adverse conditions. With Zwift, you can track your body temperature in the game, which is enabled by a new integration with CORE Body Temperature Sensors. The CORE Thermal Sensor is paired with a heart rate strap via CORE, and connected to the Zwift app. Allowing you to accurately track body temperature as you ride.

How Does Indoor Cycling Combine with Outdoor Cycling?

Deciding to train indoors can be as effective as cycling outdoors. Here are some of the reasons adding more indoor riding can be your advantage:

For Bike Training

Training indoors comes with lots of key benefits. As we’ve previously mentioned, having a stable environment with no wind, rain, or excessive heat is one plus. But this controlled environment also allows you to complete sessions more effectively too. 

When it comes to intervals, for example, you can specify the exact length and intensity of your efforts. You’re not inhibited by the topography of your local area, you can train on the flat or in the mountains whenever you want.

With Zwift, this is magnified too. From training plans like Fast Track Fitness (requiring just 1hr of training per week) to workouts inspired by Tour de France teams like Alpecin-Deceuninck, there are hundreds of indoor cycling workouts you can ride on Zwift.

For the Community

But cycling isn’t all about training and getting fitter. It’s also a way to connect with others. With Zwift, community is part of the package. From daily social group rides to joining a cycling club like the GCN Club that has over 80,000 members, you can connect with cyclists from anywhere in the world on your indoor trainer.

For Virtual Exploring

Perhaps you ride to explore too? Well, with Zwift you have thousands of kilometres of virtual roads to explore at your fingertips. From Watopia to France to Tokyo, explore routes and tick off rides from the comfort of your home. With a Zwift subscription, you can also ride the famous climbs of the Tour de France, like Hautacam and the Col du Tourmalet.

How to Recreate Outdoor Rides with Zwift like a Pro

So what’s the best way to move your outdoor rides onto Zwift? A cancelled ride can cause panic, but fear not – here are some examples of how to recreate an outdoor ride on Zwift just like a pro would:

Group Ride or Club Run

If the weekend group ride is rained off, you can still get the distance in. Jump into a Zwift group ride. There are social spins every hour, catering to all levels. Stick together mode keeps the group tight, no matter the pace. Chat using the Zwift Companion app or Discord for the full ride experience. You’ll finish feeling like you’ve just rolled through your local roads with your mates.

Missed Training Session

Intervals in the wind? No thanks. Move your workout indoors and nail the session instead. Zwift has a huge library of structured workouts. You can even create your own or follow a training plan. Just pick the session and let your smart trainer take care of the rest. No headwind. Just you and the numbers.

Cancelled Race or Time Trial

Rained-off TT? No problem. There’s always a Zwift race happening. From short crits to time trials, there’s something for every rider. The intensity’s real. The competition is fierce. It’s a great way to stay sharp, push your limits, and maybe even nab a virtual podium.

Getting in a Long Ride

Had a long weekend ride planned but the forecast’s a washout? Head to Watopia or one of Zwift’s other worlds. Queue up a scenic route or just free ride and go wherever the virtual road takes you. Use Pace Partners if you want a steady effort. Drop in music or a podcast, spin the legs, and rack up the distance, all while staying dry and hydrated.

What Do I Need to Get Started Cycling at Home with Zwift?

Getting started with Zwift is easier than you might think. You don’t need a pro-level setup or a pain cave full of gear. Just the basics, and you’re good to go. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. A bike

Road, gravel, hybrid – anything with two wheels and pedals works. You’ll be riding your real bike on a trainer, so make sure it fits and feels good. Or for a more expensive but dedicated option, you can consider a smart bike, which provides everything for Zwift in one need package.

2. A trainer

You’ve got two main choices:

Smart trainer: Automatically adjusts resistance to match the terrain on Zwift. Feels more realistic and lets you ride structured workouts more precisely. Highly recommended.

Classic (non-smart) trainer: A cheaper option. You’ll need a speed sensor on your rear wheel or power meter to connect with Zwift.

3. A device to run Zwift

Zwift works on a bunch of devices:

• PC or Mac
• iPad or iPhone
• Android phone or tablet
• Apple TV

Pick what works best for your setup. Bigger screens can often create a more immersive experience but you can also run Zwift on your smartphone. There are a whole range of different devices that can run Zwift and if you want something specific, can be picked up for a couple of hundred pounds.

4. An internet connection

Zwift runs online, so you’ll need Wi-Fi. A solid connection keeps everything smooth and lag-free.

5. Zwift subscription

There’s a 14-day free trial to get you going. After that, it’s a monthly subscription.

Final Thoughts – Ride More, Worry Less

Weather happens. But with Zwift, it never has to stop you from riding. So if it’s snowing outside, there’s a 38°C heatwave, or if it’s torrential rain, Zwift is your number-1 back up option where you can train, explore, race, or ride with friends – all from your own home.

Get your 14-day free trial today to never let bad weather ruin your riding plans again.