I learned a couple of new things today:

Firstly; perfectly-slick 26″ tyres are not well suited to speeding down the  lanes and roads of Kent – especially when aforementioned highways and byways are solidly covered with enough snow and ice to build a new continent with.

Secondly; getting off the bike and pushing isn’t much more fruitful. If you’ve ever rolled a giant snowball, you’ll know that you only need to get a small ball rolling; the adhesion of the snow and momentum will do the rest…

So how does the average cyclist keep fit and ‘do a few miles’ in the winter months without resorting to expensive holidays in warmer climes? Well, I wouldn’t really know. Being quite a bit less-than-average a cyclist, I usually spend the winter months eating pies, drinking beer and catching up on episodes of The Wire. Some of the better club cyclists will swear upon the virtues of a turbo-trainer in the garage. I don’t have a garage or a turbo-trainer, and wouldn’t one either. The joy of cycling, for me at least, is the joy of the open road. When you get hooked on touring in the lanes, hills, mountains – staring for 3 hours at the flymo, garden set and spanner rack doesn’t quite cut it.

Apparently, getting a dog helps. Motivation to get outside in the winter months is understandably low; but if your little pup’s pining for a walk in the Siberian wastes – then you have no option but to get outside. Sadly, I don’t have a dog  – but have in recent weeks built up sufficient motivation to head out on the bike a few times. I can recommend doing it as much as you’re able.

There’s a distinct beauty to a winter landscape – the light much lower in the sky – cuts out silhouettes and drops long shadows as the cyclist rides along. There’s less tourist activity, and you’ll have most of the back-lanes to yourself. Rides tend to be ‘punchier’ as you know that you’ll have to get out and back before the short day closes in. What can be more rewarding after a few tough frozen hours on the bike than coming home to a hot bath and open fire? (especially if it happens to be the one at your friendly local boozer)

P.S Returning readers will notice that the design of the website has completely changed – I hope you like it; there are more changes planned in the near future. Have a great festive period and I look forward to hearing from you all in the New Year.

Remember: a bike is for life, not just for Christmas…

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