Winter and dark nights..

[ray316]

How do you find cycling during these dark winter nights and mostly rainy days. In summer l like to get out on the bike as much as possible, but l'm finding it hard to even get out cycling once or twice a week as it's either chucking down with rain and winds or cold and dark.l went out cycling on sunday for the first time in a week and found my regular cycling route hard as l presume because l had not been cycling regular. l'm just interested to find out how others fit in cycling for pleasure in these cold wet dark winter months

 

[martint235]

When it's raining, dark and cold it can be a bit daunting getting the bike out but as I commute to work every day I just get on with it. When it comes to fun cycling, just wait till the sun is up. Is there anything better than cycling through crisp sunshiny weather alongside fields covered in frost and a light mist?

Just make sure that you're prepared for the weather so layers, warm gloves and socks. If it's wet just take things easy and enjoy yourself.

 

[ianrauk]

+1 to what Martin says above...just have to get on with it.

It's no too bad really, and can be jolly good fun if you have the right gear for the conditions.
The biggest step is actually getting on the bike.... but once you're on and away....

 

[HLaB]

Yip I agree with the above; its just getting out there; if you are properly dressed its not actually that bad its just the mental hurdle to overcome.

 

[Norm]

I have alternatives which I use, well, year round, really.

If it's pissistently raining or very windy, I'll take the MTB and choose an off-road route which gives me all the fun of the fair in a way that my pre-teen son would appreciate. Cold but dry and I'll be on the tarmac. Decent lights mean that missing daylight isn't an issue.

 

[subaqua]

When it's raining, dark and cold it can be a bit daunting getting the bike out but as I commute to work every day I just get on with it. When it comes to fun cycling, just wait till the sun is up. Is there anything better than cycling through crisp sunshiny weather alongside fields covered in frost and a light mist?

Just make sure that you're prepared for the weather so layers, warm gloves and socks. If it's wet just take things easy and enjoy yourself.

it was great last week riding along the Lea navigation on the way to work, the sun was just peeping up and the mist was rising from the canal. very ethereal. winter gives you some of the best riding

 

[avsd]

Agreed with the wet days - seen herons waiting for fish at stream outlets in the morning - very calming and brings you back to the natural cycles of nature.