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Considering going out on the road bike anyway, despite the wind.
Down on my usual monthly distance this December, but only due to crappy cold/virus which I've had for almost 3 weeks...almost shaken it off.. Haven't ridden over the break at all which is a bit crushing, today would have been great, the sun was out this morning...
Done more road than off-road as the local bridleways have more drive train destroying gloop per mile than smiles at the mo.. have had the odd Rouvy session when I really can't face going out..
I don't mind being wet, I cycle commute all year around and as long as I'm warm and keep moving and it's not insanely windy, I enjoy the ride.
It’s been shite for ages but still prodding through winter - Weds night rides too.
The local trails are swamps and it’s all really fkn hard work.
A few of us went to Wharncliffe today which was as bad as I’ve seen it but it was FUN!!
The monster clean up operation after every can piss off but I’d miss going out on rides so it’s worth the aggro after - I think!
4000 miles done this year (none virtual) but the miles per week will inevitably drop off even if the regularity only drops a little. There’s a lot to be said for long summer nights that’s for sure!
If you don't count Zwift I've done very little this December. In fact it's been a pretty poor year generally for riding - weather, illness, injury, and a couple of annoying mechanical problems. I think I only wore my summer jersey a handful of times.
Last decent ride out was late November, the travel and cleaning time was more than riding time. Then got a trail centre ride in mid-Dec which was nice but so bloody windy. Other than that just quick lap of local cycle paths and odd bits of track on the rigid MTB (full guards) from home.
One road ride and one mtb ride, both at the start of the month
November and December have both been total washouts for me. I hate the faff of cleaning everything after each ride, I hate riding in shit conditions...
I mean there are times (like the Festive 500!) where you can sort of pretend that it's all character building and Type 2 fun but that wears very thin after a week.
It's what you make of it, highest December total for 10 years for me. Take every opportunity you can to do little and often - all rides count. 90 mind x 4 a week is easier to achieve for me than 3-4 hours in a go
It’s what you make of it
Not really. No amount of positive mental attitude is going to make the weather less shit. I've been cycling too much for too long, the novelty of simply being out has long worn off and I don't like being shoved about and having cold water blown in my face any more.
embrace it whenever you can, because one day, you will not be able.
Not really. No amount of positive mental attitude is going to make the weather less shit. I’ve been cycling too much for too long, the novelty of simply being out has long worn off and I don’t like being shoved about and having cold water blown in my face any more.
I dunno, I'm 52, been (properly) riding for over 40 years (30+ MTB) and I've been out in more foul weather this year than any other. I guess it's where your head is at. Next year, I'll possibly say 'sod that', who knows 🤷
Whoop two big hitters agree with me 🤣 cheers @ton and @TheArtistFormerlyKnownAsSTR
In reality one of our group would love to be out in this weather, but he can't as he died in Feb, every chance I get I ride for him 👍
@molgrips - 3 kids of dissimilar ages is a great catalyst for me to get headspace
Just got out and made the most of it, been asked a few times "why do you go out in this weather?" And always reply, it's the only weather we've got.
Still OP it's January in 3 days so December will be over.....you might be glad of those balmy December days by the time February comes around
it's topsy turvy weather here...
yesterday
today
There'll be a few crisp days over the next few weeks no doubt, then......
...there'll be that ONE day, probably in April, when you realise it's all over and we have a few weeks of bliss through May. Before it pisses it down most of June and July 🤣
*Edit, first time I've been called a big hitter 🤣 it's normally much worse than that
I missed the s off mate
I definitely need headspace, but slogging along the same old trails in shit weather isn't the best way for me right now. I'd rather go climb a hill.
When people claim it's too wet in the UK to commute by bike I would normally counter that as the chances of it actually raining during commuting time normally only adds up to a handful of times per winter. This year though I've got wet on the way to work multiple times a week for the whole of autumn and winter. It's been a grind.
I've fixed a mechanical on the MTB that's been ignored for 2 months though, so I may brave the wind tomorrow to get some sun!
I read this thread yesterday and decided I needed to get out. I’ve not ridden in ages thanks to it being wet, grey and miserable. The weather today looked ok, no rain forecast so I got all my kit downstairs ready to go as soon as I was up. <br />I was out on the bike by nine and almost as soon as I turned the pedals it started to rain. I had just less than an hour on the bike, it was very boggy in places and surprisingly well drained in others. It was great to be out, just me, the bike and wooded singletrack. Typically as soon as I got back to the car the rain stopped the sun came out. I think what I’m trying to say is the thought of getting out is almost always the worst bit. Try and get out if you can OP, if you’re down in the SW I’d be happy to pedal with you. 
Yep its been grim out, but still managing 2-3 rides per week just tend to stay away from the woods which makes the rides a little more XC than I'd usually like TBH. Its still good to be out though... winter miles=summer smiles and all that 😉
If it was just this December it'd be manageable but I get the feeling that it started raining in around October 2022 and hasn't really stopped.
We certainly didn't get a decent Autumn in 2022 (usually a lovely season for cycling if it's bright), in January roads on the Somerset Levels were heavily flooded and I was ploughing through with the bottom bracket submerged (then it froze).
We had no Spring this year, just constant rain and I reckon we got no more that 3 or 4 reasonable weeks over the Summer. I don't recall September or October being any better and last month I was back ploughing through deep floods (the roads and fields still haven't recovered).
December's just been a continuation and another wash out and things don't seem to be showing any likelihood of changing; it's getting really hard to keep going.
I am by preference a fairish weather rider but I do ride in all sorts of conditions; the rain seems never-ending and it's getting thoroughly depressing.
well this pretty much says it all...
"Autumn rainfall has brought rainfall amounts to above average for most of the UK, following some notable and impactful rain, especially in the east of Scotland."
looks like earlier in the year was no better either 😕👇
from
https://blog.metoffice.gov.uk/
Bit of classic South Wales big hill action... proper wet weather gear and a good bunch of mates. Best ride of December by miles. Looking at forecast tho, wearing "shed roof" as rain jacket until 2024!
Subbing an ebike for the old winter hardtail has helped me keep riding more through crap weather
Got out this morning too first time this week - 25 miles on the road - dry and windy in W.Yorks - more rain in the afternoon.
19 rides in December, 18 windy, 17 rainy, but over 500 km covered with 14000 m ascent. It's definitely been Type 2 fun, and I now think I have dry rot!
Climate change. Suck it up buttercups and amend your lifestyle to deal with it. After a wet start today had one of the most enjoyable 5 hour rides of the year. Good company, interesting terrain and plenty of laughs. @ton very well said.
If it ain’t raining it ain’t training 🙂 I love riding (off-road) in the challenging conditions that winter brings, just got to change the mindset and go for it. I ditched Strava years ago so no clue on metrics - just if it made me smile or not, just go out and get loose, it’s still fun in the wet. Decent winter tyres and a radiator and shoe drier in my shed help make life infinitely more bearable this time of year.
If it’s windy it’s a woods day, if the wind is down we have a nice local old mining area with plenty of nice jump lines that takes the rain really well, ride and dig in equal measures there at the minute.
The clean up is a pain but it makes you appreciate those dry days that bit more. We had a great June and a bit of Sept. Hopefully the bit in between will be a bit drier and less windy next year!
Think it's where you are in the country.
GF is from Yorkshire and it was very wet and windy when plain sailing down South.
I've done two days this week, so above average.
New bike helps!
Mudhugger too!
I now think I have dry rot!
After two very wet rides in three days, I’m starting to fear for the state of my bike’s bottom bracket.
Also putting on a pair of Defrosters that are still soggy after the last ride isn’t pleasant. Should really have put my other shoes on as my feet would still have got soaked, but they’d have dried out…
It's been crappy weather, but it's always cold wet and muddy this time of year 😃
My 4 year old got a tow rope for Christmas. A couple of rides with that have been fun. He still wants to stop and measure puddles.
Sherwood pines was shut due to wind and there are some decent size trees down in my local woods as well.
A couple of very close passes have made me less keen on road riding.
Massive mudguards, while ugly, help me reduce clean up time
Yep weather has been crappy, trails crappy, so bought some new waterproof trousers, grabbed last years winter boots and spent a bit more time on Zwift as well as still getting out at least once a week 🙂
Managed to get out for my second ride this month yesterday, conditions have been really shite. Switched over to walking instead, will it ever stop raining and dry out a little????
Had a very nice 105ish km ride yesterday (with a 5km walk around Fingle bridge /Castle Drogo at the mid-point).
BWs along the river Teign, were, um, mucky to say the least 😆 but a lovely day out and Dartmoor looked stunning in the sunshine. Lots of rainbows 🌈
8 rides totalling 460km this December, so not too bad.
With some perfect timing I’ve just discovered a local group who ride MTB and gravel and seem to be happy to get out in all weathers. <br />Currently in the process of digging out the waterproofs and giving the hardtail a once over so it should be a 50km ride with them tomorrow. <br /><br />
Happy days!
Ice rain and snow today but forced myself to go out after a period of laziness. Local bimble down some trails near Dollar and Blairingone.
Mudguards. Love them. With several of the lanes I ride looking like this
https://flic.kr/p/2ppyEvM
I don’t really want shite all over my face, eyes, arse or drinks bottle. Had a great 4 hour rough stuff ride yesterday with a mate; he on his ht and me on the mudguarded vagabond. He had a gooch full of slurry after the first 3 miles along the towpath. I was a dry and comfy little camper.
Last time I checked skin was waterproof, 11 activity’s this month all mtb, 152 miles and 16,606’ of elevation, though I was out the country for 13 days and laid up with man flu for another 3.
Been riding the gravel bike more as it has full length mudguards. Cuts down on the clean up a lot. However I get bored with doing the same old routes so I’ve been running a bit too, as it’s a quick and efficient way of maintaining some kind of fitness.