Training counts double if you do it in cack weather. Honest
More truth in that than you realise. Riding into the howling wind or struggling through mud all winter makes you much fitter/stronger/faster come spring.
Good kit is well worth the extra pennies. Staying warm and dry when it’s wet and miserable outside makes it all seem much more enjoyable.
Now that we’re in February I’ve resurrected my 35 mile round trip commute, first day was yesterday. Lovely ride in, cold but I was wrapped up nicely. Ride home nearly killed me – I naively decided to cut down on my food intake yesterday too so I was hanging on for grim death for the last 10 miles home last night. Into the wind. Got home and laid on the garage floor for 20 minutes while the missus fed me oranges and bananas and the children poked me with bike pumps.
Windy ride in this morning too, might eat a bit more today! It hurts but it’s all good, and I’ll be lighter and faster in a couple of months.
Man up!