How to stay fit this winter 🤘❄️🤘

Hello friends! First off—thank you.

Registration day was one for the books. Watching that many of you commit to another season of movement, adventure, and community never gets old.

The men’s BIKE field sold out extremely fast. All remaining spots for the BIKE event are reserved for women & junior riders.

If you missed the men’s BIKE registration, the waitlist is live and moving fast. Get your name on it. Every other event and category is still open and moving fast, including the RUN & TROPHY, which are bigger than ever before. We’re especially excited about these this year.

And if you’re still reading, here’s a bit of an inspirational ramble to kick off the New Year… Winter is here, it’s fierce, and it’s secretly our favorite time of year. Here’s why:

It’s not about forcing fitness or FOMO training after doom scrolling on Strava… It’s about getting outside, staying curious, and letting the work happen naturally. Here are a few simple ways we love to approach winter training in the Northeast:

  • Chase Snow
    When the snow flies, we trade wheels for skis. Backcountry laps, Nordic loops, classic adventure tracks in the woods––it all builds real base fitness in a fun way. It’s a great reminder of why winter is worth leaning into.

  • Run Through It
    Running remains our default activity when conditions are mixed. Trails, dirt roads, pavement. It’s simple, efficient, and rewardingly honest work. You’re also almost never too cold after the first 5 minutes. Bonus: it’s one of the best ways to prepare for the RUN and TROPHY.

  • Ride (Sometimes) Inside
    We won’t pretend it’s romantic, but structured indoor riding can be incredibly effective. A little consistency now goes a long way later. If you’re dialing things in, our friends at Wahoo make the pain cave a bit more tolerable.

  • Get Strong
    Winter is for strength. Squats, deadlifts, kettlebells, endless core work—nothing fancy, just durable movement that pays huge dividends when the snow melts. Trust us on this one!

  • Change It Up
    Stepping away from the bike or your running shoes won’t crater your progress… it will build a deep well of bodily strength and resilience. Ski, run, lift, rest. It’s healthy to switch it up and winter is the best time to do it. Burnout helps no one.

However you choose to move this winter, keep it simple and keep it outside when you can. Spring will come soon and with it Vermont Overland just around the corner.

If you’re still deciding, we’d love to have you on the start line—bike, run, or both. And if you missed the men’s BIKE registration, don’t sleep on the waitlist.

Thanks for being part this.

— Ansel & the Vermont Overland team 🤘❄️🤘

Ansel Dickey