{"id":375,"date":"2021-12-24T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-12-24T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=417321"},"modified":"2021-12-24T17:15:12","modified_gmt":"2021-12-24T16:15:12","slug":"10-tips-to-stay-motivated-through-winter","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/10-tips-to-stay-motivated-through-winter\/","title":{"rendered":"10 tips to stay motivated through winter"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Charlie Allenby\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 24 December 2021 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Riding your bike in the winter months is hard. It can be cold, wet, windy \u2013 often all three at once \u2013 and that\u2019s before you factor in occasionally cycling in the dark<\/a>. But that doesn\u2019t mean it isn\u2019t worth it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Training throughout the winter is a great way to keep your base fitness ticking over, while also preparing you for next spring and summer and any exciting goals you\u2019re looking to achieve on two wheels. What\u2019s more, getting outdoors and staying active through winter is good for the soul.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are 10 ways to stay motivated through the winter, to help you through those moments when it can seem easier to stay in bed\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Have a goal<\/h2>\n
\""Road\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Setting goals will give every training session a purpose.<\/span><\/figcaption> ClarkandCompany \/ Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

\u201cThe main thing for anyone is having a goal,\u201d explains Matt Bottrill of <\/span>Matt Bottrill Performance Coaching<\/span><\/a>. \u201cYou\u2019ve got to have a motivation. It could be something that\u2019s happened to your family, your health, lose weight. Whatever that is, you need that goal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019ve got that in place, every time you do a training session you\u2019ve got a reason for doing it \u2013 you\u2019re not just going through the motions. You then feel good about it because that stepping stone is working towards your big goal.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A great way of determining goals is to create a training plan<\/a>. Just make sure you don\u2019t make any winter training mistakes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

2. Have the right kit<\/h2>\n
\""High\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Having the right kit can be a real psychological boon in the colder months.<\/span><\/figcaption> Russell Burton \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Heading out into the cold is made a lot easier if you\u2019ve got the <\/span>right winter gear<\/span> in your wardrobe, especially if you\u2019re riding in the rain.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

It can be hard to get motivated if you\u2019re imagining the next few hours to be as cold as sitting in a fridge, and staying in bed is going to be a lot more attractive.<\/span><\/p>\n

Investing in foul-weather kit, whether that\u2019s a good waterproof jacket<\/a><\/span>\u00a0or a pair of overshoes<\/a>, will turn a training ride from unbearable into enjoyable, and will have you jumping out of bed and onto your bike.<\/span><\/p>\n

Check out our guide to the best winter cycling clothing<\/a> for an in-depth look at what to wear when it\u2019s less than appealing outside.<\/p>\n

3. Buddy up<\/h2>\n
\""Buddy\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Buddy up to stay motivated through winter.<\/span><\/figcaption> Robert Smith \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Struggling to get motivated to head out on your own? Find another rider who is keen to get some winter training in and buddy up, instead of trying to tackle the elements solo.<\/span><\/p>\n

Not only will it make the miles whizz by as you chat away between stops, but it\u2019s a lot harder to bail when you\u2019ve got someone stood on your doorstep all kitted up and ready to go.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Join a club run<\/h2>\n
\""Lincoln\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
It\u2019s always good to have people to chat to on long winter rides.<\/span><\/figcaption> Joseph Branston \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

If your cycling buddies are now in hibernation until the spring, then it might be an idea to join a club run.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many cycling clubs run a range of rides at the weekend that vary in pace, while some offer early-morning, pre-work sessions in the week for the extra keen.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re new to club runs, check out our guide on how to ride in a group<\/a>, which talks you through how to ride safely and efficiently.<\/p>\n

5. Try something new<\/h2>\n
\""Could\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Could a gravel bike help keep you riding through winter?<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Even if you consider yourself a road cyclist, that doesn\u2019t mean you have to live and die by the sword of tarmac. Winter is a great time to try off-road pursuits that will not only help with your training but could also be beneficial to your overall riding technique<\/a>, too.<\/span><\/p>\n

Equally, if you\u2019re a mountain biker looking to improve your endurance, could you be tempted out onto the road this winter?<\/span><\/p>\n

For both roadies and mountain bikers, gravel riding<\/a> offers a happy medium. Gravel bikes<\/a> combine speed on the road with the ability to venture off the beaten track \u2013 ideal for steady winter miles.<\/p>\n

Another great thing to try out is cross-training<\/a>, which will inject a dose of variety and fun, as well as making you a stronger cyclist without a pedal stroke.<\/p>\n

6. Join the Rapha Festive 500<\/h2>\n
\""cyclists\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Festive 500 challenges riders to tackle 500km between Christmas Eve and New Year\u2019s Eve.<\/span><\/figcaption> Mick Kirkman \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Is your winter training just not, well, challenging enough? Try your hand at the <\/span>Rapha Festive 500<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

The Strava challenge has become a legendary way for riders to up the endurance (and test the patience of family members) over the festive period, with participants set the task of riding 500km between Christmas Eve and New Year\u2019s Eve.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not 500km or nothing, however. Strava<\/a> has a number of December challenges, such as a 400km distance challenge and a 7,500m climbing challenge.<\/p>\n

7. Train inside<\/h2>\n
\""Man\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Use a smart trainer and the wet and cold don\u2019t have to enter the winter-training equation.<\/span><\/figcaption> BikeRadar \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Whisper it, but it is possible to train over the winter period without subjecting yourself to the harsh conditions that come with it. Invest in one of the best smart trainers<\/a>\u00a0and swapping one outdoor ride per week for an indoor workout can revitalise your training and help keep you motivated.<\/span><\/p>\n

Plus, interval training<\/a> and sweetspot training<\/a> are actually more time-efficient when done indoors \u2013 ideal if you\u2019re juggling riding with family, work and social commitments.<\/span><\/p>\n

Still not convinced? We\u2019ve put together a list of indoor cycling benefits<\/a>.<\/p>\n

8. Listen to music<\/h2>\n
\""Aftershokz\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Listening to music can make up for the lack of visual stimulation when you\u2019re training indoors.<\/span><\/figcaption> Warren Rossiter \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

If you do opt to train inside this winter, there are things that can soon start to irritate you during a session \u2013 most notably the lack of visual stimulation that you get when out on the road. <\/span>But there are ways of overcoming this. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI always listen to music,\u201d says Bottrill. <\/span>\u201cI listen to dance music and I love the rhythm of it. I match my pedal stroke to the beat of the music. You can break it down to phases, so \u2018this song is four minutes, I\u2019ll listen to two songs and then I\u2019ll look at the time\u2019. It\u2019s a great way of zoning out.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n