Battling the bike

Regardless of your love for the bike, when winter rolls in, the roads seem far less attractive. The days shorten, the temperature drops, rides become less enjoyable and the unreliable weather leaves you short changed in the clothing department. All of this before you think of the effects on your bike! The grit, salt, rain and spray of winter months wear away at your precious bike leaving it battered and beat up by the time spring arrives.

The above, coupled with the warmth of inside, maybe a fire lit, a comfy sofa, hot food and drink and a warm car commute to work, leave a trip out on the bike less and less attractive. Gradually, that addictive feeling, the excitement you get thinking about a long ride, disappears. Does it matter? A few months off, time to enjoy yourself, get back on when the weather warms... well ultimately no. The bike will still be there, the roads laiden with pot holes will welcome you back and once again you’ll get addicted.

That however, is not the point. Regardless of your level, come the end of the summer your legs have form. Rides that earlier in the year left you mentally and physically shattered and hating yourself and bike, instead leave you with joy. That long headwind flat, the sprint climb and even those never ending climbs, still hurt, but the pain is now embraced and there is a sense of achievement. You fall in love with the bike, making it an extension of yourself, together you do great things.


So why lose this? The form you worked so hard for, just to start back in the same place come spring. Yes it’s unappealing riding in the dark and cold, but what if that could be made slightly more attractive? Here are 8 possibly obvious, not all cheap, but nevertheless practical ways to achieve just that.

1. Set goals. Keep yourself riding and commit to maintaining a set fitness level. It doesn’t have to be summer fitness, just something to keep the legs spinning. Endeavor to cycle a set distance each week, or even better enter yourself into a sportif, or fun ride. Commit to doing something on the bike and set a training plan for it.
2. Keep up to date with all things cycling. The cycling season is long. Every cyclist experiences the Tour de France urge. You can’t help but get out on the bike. Continue that through the winter months. Follow your favourite cycling team on twitter, or on the news. Let them inspire you to stay fit.
3. Get your kit right. A good set of lights goes a long way in the dark to making you feel safer. High-vis clothing will guarantee you’re seen and shed any fear of night riding. Invest in some winter cycling gear. This can add up, as all things cycling do, but as I said... an investment. Warm, water and wind proof, with a good set of gloves will make those cold nights bearable. When purchasing a base layer, something that wicks away the sweat rather than trapping it in is vital. Any trapped sweat will cool you leaving you freezing cold regardless of how many layers you’ve got on. A good pair of bootsies are a must too. Acting similar to a wetsuit, they trap in water which is then warmed by your body heat keeping your toes warm.
4. Get a winter bike. Steel frame, thicker tyres, mudguards. Sorted. Your pristine summer bike can stay that way.
5. If you do ride your summer bike, clean it regularly. There are many mud off products that will get rid of the grit and salt and stop the winter doing too much damage.
6. Get a turbo. Set it up inside, position a fan on you, yes you will get hot and need it and then forget about the worries of outside.
7. Get some entertainment if you invest in a turbo. It’s a great way of training in winter and keeping your legs in good condition. An hour on the turbo is more beneficial than an hour on the road. The problem is, they’re renowned for being tedious! Blare out some music or watch the tv whilst you exercise. The best workout however, is achieved with a dedicated turbo dvd. These tell you what to do and when and blast music at you. The sufferfest DVDs are great for this. Using UCI footage, you’re placed in a road race with pro cyclists attacking you left, right and centre. You’re constantly having to attack back, or maintain a high tempo to stay adrift of the peloton. With many DVDs on offer, at a cheap price and downloadable from www.thesufferfest.com, they give you a workout that will leave you hating your bike but craving for more.
8. Dream big. I’d be surprised if every keen cyclist hadn’t at one point on a ride envisaged themselves battling the Alps, or sprinting down the Champs Élysées. Keep those dreams going through winter. Keep the kid in you alive.

A google search will throw up tonnes of sites selling cycle goods, but for reliability, price, customer service and speed, www.wiggle.co.uk really can not be beaten!

Dream big, don’t neglect the bike and keep those legs in Jens Voigt shape and ready to tackle the spring classics come the good weather!