Ten Winter riding tips

1. First up, check everything is working properly on your bike. Go over your brakes, gears and lights to make everything is fully functional. Clean and lubricate where needed.
2. Set yourself a goal, plan to ride your first sportive, join and complete a century ride, or get out those brochures and check out cycling holidays for next year.
3. Wear bright clothing, layer up with a good quality base garment to wick away perspiration away from the skin. Wear a mid layer that is easy to remove. Add a bright waterproof top layer.
4. Winter gloves give more protection from the cold, legwarmers and armwarmers are useful, if you haven't any, then add to your Christmas wish list.
5. Let out a bit of air on larger tyres, it increases the grip on the wet roads. Road grit can damage your wheels so give them a good rinse and dry down to prevent rust damage.
6. Mudguards can be retro fitted, to almost any bike. There are various mudguards suitable for road bikes without clearance for the traditional full length guards.
7. Try out a turbo, if you can't face the thought of night riding and can't get a ride during daylight, then a turbo trainer or rollers allows you to keep fit. Leisure centres provide great training facilities too.
8. Meet a friend, its more motivating to arrange a ride, and it makes you get out there on two wheels.
9. If you brave the wind and rain, then you deserve a slice of cake when you arrive home, enjoy!
10. Ride with a local club, try british cycling club finder or road cc.club to find out more.