As the nights get shorter and the temperature drops with the onset of winter, the enthusiasm you had to jump on the saddle and get out there at every opportunity may dwindle. This is understandable given you probably have warmer choices when it comes to spending your time.

If you can spend time on the saddle in the cold months your cycling benefits considerably in the forthcoming season, as you will maintain fitness and your techniques sharper.

With this in mind how can you motivate yourself to climb on the saddle when the nights are long and the days are cold?

This post will give you some ideas.

Keep riding in the winter months to maintain cycling performance

Set a Goal

Setting a goal could be the perfect way to ensure that you keep your motivation levels high especially if you are a goal driven person. Goals could be anything from cycling to work a few times a week to riding so many miles in a month.

Goals provide an objective and you can track your progress using Strava. In fact the winter is a good time achieve a KOM or QOM. (King or Queen of the Mountain award).

Explore New Routes

Riding a new route can also provide the motivation needed. Arguably, there is an explorer in all of us so why not ride different roads and discover what’s there? This is particularly useful if you’re finding the same views a bit drab.

Plan your route in advance and check Strava to see if other cyclists are riding routes you have never explored. You will not only have a new experience you may also find an awesome cycling route with plenty of challenges.

Enter an Event

Most regions have events that run in the early part of the season and some may even run in the winter. Entering an event provides almost a perfect incentive to keep cycling and maintain fitness. If you feel this could be a little difficult do not forget you can use turbo trainers to stay in good condition.

Ride with a Friend or Cycling Club

Riding with a friend or cycling club will not only provide good motivation to ride in the winter, but will provide camaraderie. None of us like to let people down so even if you do not feel like getting up for that early morning ride, you will not to let down your buddy or club.

Track Cycling

If you do not like the idea of riding on roads during the cold months, why not ride on a track. Traffic free and a good surface, tracks can be a good option in the winter months.

Give yourself a Treat

After braving the weather and cycling in less than favourable conditions reward yourself with something you like. Many cyclists go for cake.

When riding in the winter months ensure you have lights and weatherproof cycling gear that makes you more visible to traffic. Ensure you have winter tyres and that your bike is in a good state of repair.

Early Season Training

One way to beat the winter blues is to book a Cycling Training Camp. Specific Early Season Training Camps will help you build base miles and perfect technique. Most run February to March and based on Mallorca where the professionals will be training hard preparing for the next season.

Submitted: 13/12/2017