Think back to the first time you remember riding a bike.

It was magic; pure and simple.

Floating in complete freedom and independence. Do you remember what groupset you were running? What your tyre pressure was?

Or do you remember feeling like you were flying, with a grin from ear to ear?

Decades pass, governments change, road bikes have disc brakes, but the sense of elation is exactly the same. The friendships, the places, the adventures. As clichéd as it sounds, for most of us, riding bikes has amounted to so much more than a simple act of balance and fitness.

Cycling before we could drive was our ticket to freedom, exploration and adventure. It presented us with mechanical issues that shaped us and taught us how to problem-solve, keeping us fit and igniting a spark for grit and determination.

But you know all this, so why am I telling you how great cycling is?

For one reason — don’t let winter steal your bike time!

Riding is a remedy to the short days that the colder months bring. Rarely, if ever, do you regret getting out on the bike.

Here are some reasons to embrace the off-season.

Who doesn’t want another bike? Read on if you love a bargain.

The bike industry marches on with its new-fangled tech, and the dream machines from yesteryear are quickly discarded and branded redundant.

We love our summer race bikes with the latest and greatest tech, and you might even have a winter setup already, but who doesn’t want another bike? Who doesn’t want a little project to wile away the winter evenings?

Right now, and every winter, there are some serious bargains to be had. Scouring eBay can bring a certain joy when it results in restoring a once-adored bicycle to its former glory.

Who doesn’t love a project?

If you have been on the fence about buying a gravel bike, now could be the time to pick one up. With newer gravel bikes sporting huge tyre clearances, magnificent machines from just a few years ago, that are still brilliant to ride, are being sold for a relative pittance.

What about a winter road bike? Or a cross-country hardtail? Brush up on your mechanical skills, employ the help of YouTube and ChatGPT. Worst case, when the sun’s back out, you’ll probably sell it for a profit. Who knows what future adventures you might unlock?

I picked up this Cannondale Cross bike for £150. Tyres, mudguards, brake pads and cables were needed, but in just a few hours, I had a sense of satisfaction flying along on my new winter hack. It was disappointingly good — maybe I didn’t need DI3 after all? All the more rewarding for the effort it took to find, service and bring back to life.

Cross bikes make great winter road bikes because, not only can you fit chunky tyres on them to deal with the potholes and the muck, but the more relaxed geometry can provide some welcome comfort when you’re riding in colder conditions. Who knows, I might even do some cross racing.

Go on, find a bargain! N + 1 and all that. Get on the group chats if you want some second opinions on something you’ve found.

Winter Reading

You might be an avid reader or you might just prefer getting out there and riding bikes. Either way, another top tip to boost your motivation and maximise your riding buzz is to utilise your winter evenings by reading some riding literature.

I’m currently halfway through Geraint Thomas’s book, which I was reading when the message came through to say that it was looking like the Forge ride would be rained off this Saturday.

There was talk of a reschedule for Sunday. With a head full of G’s enthusiasm for a tough day out on the bike, I suggested a chaingang. Alex, Dan and I jumped on the bikes and in blissful sunshine, floated through the Sussex lanes, taking turns on the front.

Superb. Thanks for the inspiration, Geraint. Thanks for the ride, Dan and Alex.

Next on the list is In Pursuit of Spring by Edward Thomas, a travel memoir in which the author cycles from London to the Quantock Hills in the looming shadow of the Great War, capturing the spirit of the English countryside on the brink of spring.

It Doesn’t Really Rain That Much Anyway

“It just hasn’t stopped raining this week”, a colleague remarked. “Really?” I returned.

It can be easy to take the weather forecast as gospel, but the reality is, most of the time, there are some pretty long rain-free windows to get out on the bike, even when Mr Met Office says it will rain all day.

The majority of my riding comes in the form of commuting, and only once since September have I been caught in proper rain.

Top tip: look out the window, as well as at your screen. Sunrise is more attainable at this time of year too, meaning that getting out at the crack of dawn isn’t really all that early.

Dawn and dusk bring a sensation of adventure, and with leafless trees, wildlife is easier to spot. I shared my commute with buzzards, kestrels and an owl last week. All alongside the A27 — that’s reason enough to wrap up and get out on the bike.

I fully appreciate the benefits of a turbo trainer, but for me, part of the reason I love riding bikes is because of the time outdoors it gives me. To let that slip away in the colder months would be easy, but what a shame that would be!

Sign up for a Summer Event

A summer event to look forward to will keep you riding. Recruit some fellow Wanderers and find something to get in the diary.

Find a cafe, castle or village you’ve never visited, get on Komoot and plan a new route. It’s winter, it’s zone 2, or even riding without numbers. The pressure is off, and you can ride for the sake of it, particularly when you know you are building your base for that event you’ve signed up for!

Return to The Tea

You know what I mean. The Tea. It tastes different after a brisk bike ride, and I have yet to find a better way to enjoy an afternoon brew than post-ride.

Michael put together a great article recently with lots of practical training tips that you could use to ride through winter. When Neil was on the hunt for content for Rolling News, I thought I could throw together some helpful words, looking at winter riding from a different angle. I hope they spark some inspiration, too.

I know I’m new around here, so I want to take this opportunity as well to say thank you to you all for making me feel so welcome in the club.

So, what now?

1. Go for a ride. Wrap up warm, take lights.
2. Enjoy The Tea.
3. Read a riding book / scour eBay for a bargain bike / sign up for a 2026 riding event.
4. Repeat.

See you out there!

Chris