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Need tips on how to embrace winter/rain/cold for someone who hates riding in it!
Cycling is a hobby we do for enjoyment so if you don't enjoy riding in winter and don't have to then don't do it. Why force yourself?
I don't particularly like it but in order to get fit for the sportives I do later in the year its a necessary evil. I just try to keep the objective in mind. There's a reason most top pros don't live in Britain during the winter- its because riding in Britain in winter is a bit sh!t.
That's the technical term uponthedowns!
Last week I turbo'd during the downpour.
This weeks wind and 4C sent me to the gym.
Enjoyed the last few weeks 10-14C but was tempted to go somewhere warm for winter!
Good clothing is the main factor. When it's horrible outside, you immediately associate it with discomfort, but it needn't be so. You can ride in the pissing rain and find it very refreshing. If you're well covered in waterproofs you can get a similar feeling to when you're say, in a tent in a pissing rain. That feeling of total protection. Or when you're in the house and the wind is howling. But you can be wet and enjoy it too, so long as you're warm. Showers are warm and wet, and they're good.
You'll inevitably have some bad experiences too. But you get an extra glow afterwards for these. Additional rewards. It's always great to sit down with some good food and a beer after a hard day on the bike, but to do it having spent the entire day pissing wet and freezing to the core, it's pure nirvana.
butcher - Member
having spent the entire day pissing wet and freezing to the core
Sounds like a typical working day for me, that's the reason that I'm less than enthused about going out to ride in it too.
Sounds like a typical working day for me, that's the reason that I'm less than enthused about going out to ride in it too.
That's a fair point. Sat behind a desk all day I often feel the opposite...