I used to hate winter cycling - here are five ways I made it bearable

As someone who feels the cold and hates daylight saving, I have learned a thing or two about keeping morale high when the sun is low

Rider in black tights and red jersey riding on the road with heath background
(Image credit: Future)

Cycling has always been more than a sport for me - it's been a full-time pursuit, passion, and, occasionally, a bit of a battle, especially in winter. Though my full-time riding days have been and gone, I have put in countless hours and miles through bitingly cold months, and trust me, I’m no natural winter warrior.

Feeling the cold keenly, coupled with a tendency toward the winter blues, means that I’ve had my fair share of tough rides in cold, dark weather. Winter for me often became a balancing act: training hard enough without risking illness, navigating short days for the few hours of daylight, and making sure my sleep wasn’t upended by overtraining.

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Joe Baker
Tech Writer

Joe is Cycling Weekly's tech writer. He's always had a love for bikes, since first riding a two wheeled steed before the age of four. Years down the line, Joe began racing at 16, and enjoyed great experiences internationally, racing in Italy, Spain and Belgium to name a few locations. Always interested in tech, Joe even piloted his Frankenstein hill climb bike to a Junior National Title in 2018.  After taking a step back from elite level racing in April 2022, Joe joined our team as a freelancer, before becoming Tech Writer in May 2023.