Well the week is going really well thus far. I have managed tow rides and one gym session so far! And it is only Wednesday! Monday it was off to the gym - a cardio workout (to be honest only worked upper body and core strength) Then managed to do a ride with the lads on Tuesday - it was good that everybody was out and about as the weather wes really cool at 5:45 - the minimum was 2 deg on the bike with the average ride temp being 6 degrees. What I have learnt is that the right clothing is so important when riding in the cold. There is a fine balance that needs to be achieved. Too little - and without stating the obvious you freeze your kahoonies off! But equally important too much and you will start to sweat too much which leads to accelerated cooling - i.e. you can actually be more cold with too much clothing.

That said - I have now perfected my winter riding gear. This morning the ride without windchill was 4 degrees. Full length tights over my bib shorts, to ensure that my legs stay warm. Initially I thought my legs did not get cold - but once I wore my tights I realised what I had been missing in my previous rides. Instead of a normal cycling shirt I have been wearing a charcoal top from Cape Storm - this seems to wick the moisture away from the skin and keeps you really warm and dry. On top of all of this I wear a good wind barrier - the top issued last year in Sani2C works really well - keeping my really comfortable. Full length winter gloves and ear warmers - and although I feel like a nerdy kid been set outdoors by his over protective mother - it really does work.

So if your only excuse to getting out on your bike is the weather - go and do some shopping - I have been surprised at how the cost of some new entrants into the market have become. It is money well spent - the vista's this morning out on the bike were really breath taking!