After a lovely dry summer I had my first experience of cycling to work and getting well and truly drenched in what feels like a long time.
It got me thinking about the winter ahead and how hard it can be to motivate yourself to leave your cosy bed and jump on your bike on the winter mornings.
As the mornings are getting colder and the radiators in the office are being used to dry wet cycling gear more frequently I turned to my amazing colleagues for some of their tips on how to stay motivated and carry on enjoying cycling through a bleak northern European winter.
1. Warm feet are key
There’s nothing worse than frosty toes or wet feet – get a decent pair of socks and waterproof shoes (or overshoes) and keep those tootsies toastie.
2. Gloves
Same goes for your hands, a decent pair of gloves (cycling specific or not) make your winter bike ride much more pleasant. If you're particularly susceptible to the cold go for a pair of ski gloves - just make sure you can still brake and change gear safely.
3. A toasty head = a happy cyclist
If it’s really chilly then I stick on a warm hat, a buff or a knitted headband.
4. Get ready at the office
If it’s raining then I wait and put mascara on at the office to avoid that panda eye look.
5. It keeps me fit
I have lots of food-related events planned in the run up to Christmas, staying on my bike means I can stay fit and still enjoy myself.
6. Cycling wakes me up
Cycling means I arrive feeling ready for the day; a train with the heating on in winter sends me back to sleep. Riding to work makes me nicely energized and motivated.
7. Rewards and bribery
Fuelling myself with coffee and cake is usually effective.
8. Great for relaxation
I find it’s a great way to de-stress and clear my head after a long day.
9. Lots of thin layers
Layers! It’s easy to get hot and sweating when I’m cycling, even in the depths of winter, so I wear a few thin layers and bring a cardigan or sweater to wear at work.
10. Warm feet at work
I keep work slippers at my desk to change into in case I have wet socks or shoes.
11. Quality waterproofs
I make sure I have good waterproofs, including waterproof gloves. I keep dry clothes at work too because waterproofs can make you quite sweaty.
12. Often it's just the best option
I always remind myself that it’s faster than walking, cheaper than driving, healthier than getting the bus and more fun than all three!
After reading these tips I feel more than ready to keep cycling throughout the winter - I feel excited. So many of the tips mentioned how much people enjoyed winter cycling once they’d found a way to keep warm and dry that worked for them.
I’ve bought myself some new lights and gloves and so many people recommended buffs that I’m seriously knitting one as a creative project for those long winter evenings.