Winter cycling might seem to have its challenges but there are significant benefits in persevering when it might seem easier to hang up your bike. Here are seven reasons why you should stay motivated this winter.

Winter is traditionally not a time for maintaining fitness, at least that’s the accepted wisdom. Even professional racing cyclists tend to splurge out and eat maybe a whole chocolate biscuit at some point during winter. But one of the beauties of cycling is that it promotes individuality, so who needs accepted wisdom?

Do you enjoy being herded in stuffy and musty public transport with other desperate, sour-faced travellers, beholden to the vagaries of the weather, workforce whims and other unpredictable events? No, us neither. At the other end of the spectrum, would you really want to be locked away at home, hibernating under the duvet for months on end? No, that’s not really living.

Far better for both your physical and mental equilibrium to get an invigorating dose of fresh air and marvel at the sights and delights of this time of year. There’s just so much to enjoy in winter. From the frosty jewels of the countryside, to the rainbow lights of urban Christmas decorations in, there’s nothing more exciting than observing the winter world by bike.

Once you’ve got your bike, cycling is free – give or take a few spares and maintenance costs, which are still far more reasonable than other modes of transport. There’s no monthly gym membership, no other demands on your finances. Go a small step further and commute to work, and you’ll find that cycling actually saves you money. The best bit about this is that it’s easy to calculate the money you save by cycling and the benefits are cumulative.

Every day you commute by bike is an easily quantified extra amount in your wallet or bank account. (Don’t forget, if you want to save money when buying a new bike and your employer is signed up to a Cycle to Work scheme provider, your local Gazelle dealer will be able to sort out a tax-saving deal paid for in monthly interest-free instalments.)

Christmas isn’t always an easy time. Whether it’s tricky memories or trickier here-and-nows, to the free flowing of alcohol or the even freer flowing of money out of your pocket, this time of year can often present some general life challenges. But when you ride your bike, you reduce your body’s levels of cortisol (or stress hormone) while stimulating the release of endorphins, which can help reduce anxiety and make you happier. Essentially, whatever problems winter and Christmas may bring you, cycling is a very effective way to help you deal with them. 

Finally, if you really need the ultimate inspiration to ride this winter, go even deeper than New Year’s resolutions or general sentiments about health, wealth and happiness. Sign yourself up to a major challenge in 2021. Maybe it’s a significant charity event. Maybe it’s just the active holiday you’ve always dreamed of taking. Maybe it’s just that you want to regain the same waist measurements you had when you were 18. Whatever it is, write it down, tell as many people as you can, commit yourself to that one specific goal, and let your bike help you achieve it. You can do it!