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This has been my lowest December riding total for 5years and I was wondering why. I’ve just looked at the solar yield for this month and it’s HALF of last year. It does seem to have been an almost relentlessly dull, windy and rainy December. Very mild in terms of temperatures, but rubbish for riding as it’s windy and wet on the roads and VERY muddy on the trails. Anyone else struggling?
Yep. Bought a kayak. Improvise and adapt…
Same here. <br />I don’t ride as much as I used to anyway but the MTB hasn’t been out at all through December. I don’t ride on the roads at all now so it’s been a zero cycling month for me this year. <br /><br />
Yep. Bad weather events plus dull and wet generally has meant very little riding here.
Anyone else struggling?
I get genuinely cross about the weather in a way that's completely irrational, I feel like I'm being robbed of something that's rightfully mine. Crazy. But yeah, I think there was a period in the 'summer' when I had 7 rides in a row ; one weekend after the next, when I got soaking wet and the theme seems to have continued through autumn into winter this year. I think the jet-stream has just stubbornly refused to budge and we're right in the firing line of that border between low and high pressure and its just one more warm anti-cyclone after the last.
Depressing.
I’ve been ok this winter, done a good few off-road rides but it has been a lot wetter than last winter. Can’t decide if last winter was abnormally dry or this one abnormally wet. I think the former.
I was doing ok until in stopped work on I think the 19th. I’d done 6 rides. But I stopped over Christmas as I was knackered and busy with family
I’m hoping to do a llandegla lap in a few hours. I don’t mind being wet for 2 hours but the winds been terrible so closures might be an issue
Yep I've had a pretty crap December. I've done about the same in a month as I normal do in a week.
Mainly due to illness though not the weather.
On the plus side at least the weather has been crap while I've not been well.
If we include cleaning time as part of each ride I'm not doing too badly.
Not used the mountain bike since Oct - perpetual rain in W.Yorks - been wet through on the road commute to work despite full length mudguards and waterproof gear ...... bring on some consecutive dry days please........
Not sure I've done an outdoor ride besides short errands since early October! Possibly doesn't help that my turbo is setup for my hybrid, which I'd be less bothered about getting mucky, rather than my road bike.
Bought a winter hardtail for the first time in years, great timing! Somehow, it feels ok to potter round the roads and tamer stuff, so scratches that itch. I definitely haven't ridden as much though, inspite of this.
The bigger thing for me though has been creating a covered outside space to workout under. I've been raiding the local recycle place to build a mismatched dumbell collection to add to my kettlebells, add in an anchor point or two for exercise bands and a pull up bar, hey presto, regular instant satisfaction.
I love mountain biking but I've finally worked out that its outdoor exercise that I need. Doesn't matter if it's a garden workout, trailbuilding or bike riding.
And by the time the weather inproves, I'll be stronger and stretchier 🙂
its been horrendous recently, difficult to motivate especially with the strong winds, wet skies and bogging trails, the couple of offroad rides each week in december i've spent far too long hosing down rinsing and then drying boots.
hence stuck to tarmac on gravel bike, even then i've had to rinse my shins from the spray
Yep, haven’t touched a bike all month. It feels like Pembrokeshire has been rained on every day and wind speeds haven’t dropped below ridiculous.
Grim.
It has been really shit this year, all the days I booked off to try and go riding it's pissed it down so haven't bothered. Forced myself to go out on Boxing Day though and even though it was muddy AF everywhere I had a good time. With local rides I don't mind having to hose the bike down afterwards, can't be bothered if I've had an hour's drive home!
I was just thinking I'll get out today. Then the wind rattles the windows and I know that the trails won't be sensible.
(*honestly not taking the p)
So glad I have an ebike, it honestly has kept me going out in gale and swamp conditions, (swapped from 29” summer tyres to 27.5 2.5 maxxis shorty, grip and mudguard clearance), I still try and do some motor off and avoid turbo (using about 2 to 3 times as much battery as in summer) but knowing that you can get leg help if needed is a true enabler for me so I’ve been out most weeks, do adjust my routes to avoid the really bogged tracks but once I get up the ridgeway and into the views and space I just relax into the enjoyment of it.
Then the wind rattles the windows and I know that the trails won’t be sensible.
I was going to head over to Ladhope today and see if everything is damage free.
I have the opposite problem. Normally over the Xmas break I’d do a couple of 100km mixed gravel/dirt/road rides. This year it’s so damn hot it’s miserable and I’m not sleeping well enough to get out at dawn. Was totally cooked after two hours of singletrack yesterday. We tried to go early this morning to beat the heat but it was 30 degrees already and very humid so an hour was enough for the kids.
Don’t think I’ve been outside on a bike, e or otherwise, since October. I do have a Wattbike though and have been doing Zwift rides a few times a week throughout.
Rear wheel on the gravel bike broke and I'm not about riding the MTB in this so riding has come to a total halt for me. I did try riding the MTB on Boxing Day morning but lasted half an hour before I got bored as its too big for anything round here and the hard trails are all ruined.
I was hoping to capitalise on some fitness and skills gains from the Alps in September, but the weather's been almost constantly rubbish since then - so I'm probably riding less than 50% of my normal autumn/winter level.
And running 200%+ of my normal level, in an attempt to compensate.
Particularly can't be arsed to do night riding when it's so sloppy.
Yeah it's been a bit shit. Seems like it has either been pissing it down or a howling gale since October half term. So both MTB and Road/gravel and jump bike/pump track have all been rubbish options.
Has also coincided with extreme busyness otherwise (work, birthdays, Christmas) so motivation and time have been at an historic low.
Having said that I have got a reasonable amount of running in, and in the brief weather windows we have had, I've done 3 excellent and memorable rides.
Evidence:
Also it's never as bad as you think once you've dragged yourself out.
Plus there's been the CRC fire sale to keep everyone entertained.
Yep. Bought a kayak. Improvise and adapt…<br /><br />
Blimey. The trails are really wet around your way.
The one good day we had, a week ago last Saturday, I was unwell with the winter vomiting virus.
We've had to cancel a day at Llandegla due to high winds.
There's been quite a few days when I've had to take the car to work too, because the road is flooded.
I'm off to the Lake District tomorrow, looking at the weather forecast I'm not going to bother taking my bike with me.
All in all, a shit winter so far.
The trails are really wet around your way.<br /><br />
dartmoor init
Tried to get out twice a week. Had some pretty decent rides considering how wet it's been. Almost half my riding in Dec/Jan/Feb is on turbo.
Still Gap ride tomorrow. Postponed a day due to 65mph forecasted winds and rainstorms. Tomorrow 'improved' forecast says 50mph max gust and possibility of sleet and snow!
Still it can't be as bad as last year 🙂
I am breaking out all the 'emergency' waterproof gear. And hopefully someone is bringing a hipflask! Local riding tho... think I'll be wearing the 'shed roof' as my rain jacket for at least another week!
I honestly can’t complain about the local Shropshire trails, I got two rides in earlier in the week and the trails were dry, similar last week and no bike cleaning needed for a few weeks. Off out in a minute and I’m guessing after yesterday I will need to clean my bike for a change! <br /><br />
We have a really good jumps area in the local woods, it’s normally a bog from October with none of the big jumps rideable for several months. This year, the jumps have been rideable most weeks, and up until a few days ago, running as well as they ever do in the summer 🙂
When we are out, we can frequently see the wall of water that is Wales, not too far away…
I've been out on the pub bike a couple of times in the gaps in the seemingly endless torrential rain, but a couple of weeks ago I gave up and set the turbo trainer up and reactivated Zwift, just to keep my legs moving a bit
We headed up to the Lakes for a week yesterday and I always take a bike with me. I had my bike and all my winter gear ready to go but looking at the forecast, it was just so unremittingly grim, I didn't think it justified the room in the car. A couple of pairs of decent hiking boots seemed far more worthwhile
Its presently absolutely lashing down horizontally, blowing an absolute hooley, most things seem to be underwater and you can't see a bloody thing. Apparently there are loads of fells behind the zero visibility
AGREED...
WET..DARK..WINDY..
can't be bothered, so happily plod along on the turbo!
DrP
I'm doing the rides, but the cleaning is dragging me down. Not just the bikes but the kit, shoes, jackets etc too. It's relentless
Hopton tomorrow but I'm not sure I've got it in me to take my bike.
Went out yesterday. The first half was fine, the second half was into the teeth of the wind, and then it started smashing it down. Got wetter in the last 10% than in the rest, and the feeling of the bike sliding sideways across wet cobbles was unpleasant.
Having an Ebike and a drysuit definitely helps with the motivation to get out in adverse conditions - we've been out in some stinkers. Fair play to the others on normal bikes that have been out too.
So, whilst I haven't been out much in December, it's more due to the nasty cold I've had, rather than the weather.
Absolutely minging weather today, but given it fine for tomorrows Christmas group ride/beers/curry (20+ riders)
Will be cleaning the Ebike in the morning ready for it in - state of it from last Thursday's group ride
420 miles so far this month......... all outside.
just a different coat kinda month.......... or MTFU fella's.
Not been out for nearly two winters, but it's time!
Agreed, long muddy dog walks are fine. My better half has borrowed a treadmill. I tried 30 mins of that yestrday while watching YT. It's even more boring than Zwift!
Looking at Met Office data for England; 2023 has been pretty wet. Jan, Mar, Apr, Jul, Sept, Oct, and Nov were all wetter than average, and August was 100% of usual rainfall. March and July more or less twice as wet as usual. Only Feb May and June had less than average rain.
Sucks to have an outdoor sport sometimes.
Mainly just running, trail running and turbo here, but I do that most winters anyway. Like others have said, when it comes to cycling in winter its as much the cleaning, logistics and maintenance that stops me going out as anything else.
Get used to it. Climate change impact in UK is very likely more wind and more rain.
I have cycled my usual amount though (because a bit obsessed with cycling) but got much wetter than I used to.
Mainly just running, trail running and turbo here, but I do that most winters anyway. Like others have said, when it comes to cycling in winter its as much the cleaning, logistics and maintenance that stops me going out as anything else.
Agreed. But the cleaning even puts me off of trail running in the slop as well TBH.
Considering going out on the road bike anyway, despite the wind.
Down on my usual monthly distance this December, but only due to crappy cold/virus which I've had for almost 3 weeks...almost shaken it off.. Haven't ridden over the break at all which is a bit crushing, today would have been great, the sun was out this morning...
Done more road than off-road as the local bridleways have more drive train destroying gloop per mile than smiles at the mo.. have had the odd Rouvy session when I really can't face going out..
I don't mind being wet, I cycle commute all year around and as long as I'm warm and keep moving and it's not insanely windy, I enjoy the ride.
It’s been shite for ages but still prodding through winter - Weds night rides too.
The local trails are swamps and it’s all really fkn hard work.
A few of us went to Wharncliffe today which was as bad as I’ve seen it but it was FUN!!
The monster clean up operation after every can piss off but I’d miss going out on rides so it’s worth the aggro after - I think!
4000 miles done this year (none virtual) but the miles per week will inevitably drop off even if the regularity only drops a little. There’s a lot to be said for long summer nights that’s for sure!
If you don't count Zwift I've done very little this December. In fact it's been a pretty poor year generally for riding - weather, illness, injury, and a couple of annoying mechanical problems. I think I only wore my summer jersey a handful of times.
Last decent ride out was late November, the travel and cleaning time was more than riding time. Then got a trail centre ride in mid-Dec which was nice but so bloody windy. Other than that just quick lap of local cycle paths and odd bits of track on the rigid MTB (full guards) from home.
One road ride and one mtb ride, both at the start of the month
November and December have both been total washouts for me. I hate the faff of cleaning everything after each ride, I hate riding in shit conditions...
I mean there are times (like the Festive 500!) where you can sort of pretend that it's all character building and Type 2 fun but that wears very thin after a week.
It's what you make of it, highest December total for 10 years for me. Take every opportunity you can to do little and often - all rides count. 90 mind x 4 a week is easier to achieve for me than 3-4 hours in a go
It’s what you make of it
Not really. No amount of positive mental attitude is going to make the weather less shit. I've been cycling too much for too long, the novelty of simply being out has long worn off and I don't like being shoved about and having cold water blown in my face any more.
embrace it whenever you can, because one day, you will not be able.
Not really. No amount of positive mental attitude is going to make the weather less shit. I’ve been cycling too much for too long, the novelty of simply being out has long worn off and I don’t like being shoved about and having cold water blown in my face any more.
I dunno, I'm 52, been (properly) riding for over 40 years (30+ MTB) and I've been out in more foul weather this year than any other. I guess it's where your head is at. Next year, I'll possibly say 'sod that', who knows 🤷
Whoop two big hitters agree with me 🤣 cheers @ton and @TheArtistFormerlyKnownAsSTR
In reality one of our group would love to be out in this weather, but he can't as he died in Feb, every chance I get I ride for him 👍
@molgrips - 3 kids of dissimilar ages is a great catalyst for me to get headspace
Just got out and made the most of it, been asked a few times "why do you go out in this weather?" And always reply, it's the only weather we've got.
Still OP it's January in 3 days so December will be over.....you might be glad of those balmy December days by the time February comes around
it's topsy turvy weather here...
yesterday
today
There'll be a few crisp days over the next few weeks no doubt, then......
...there'll be that ONE day, probably in April, when you realise it's all over and we have a few weeks of bliss through May. Before it pisses it down most of June and July 🤣
*Edit, first time I've been called a big hitter 🤣 it's normally much worse than that
I missed the s off mate
I definitely need headspace, but slogging along the same old trails in shit weather isn't the best way for me right now. I'd rather go climb a hill.
When people claim it's too wet in the UK to commute by bike I would normally counter that as the chances of it actually raining during commuting time normally only adds up to a handful of times per winter. This year though I've got wet on the way to work multiple times a week for the whole of autumn and winter. It's been a grind.
I've fixed a mechanical on the MTB that's been ignored for 2 months though, so I may brave the wind tomorrow to get some sun!
I read this thread yesterday and decided I needed to get out. I’ve not ridden in ages thanks to it being wet, grey and miserable. The weather today looked ok, no rain forecast so I got all my kit downstairs ready to go as soon as I was up. <br />I was out on the bike by nine and almost as soon as I turned the pedals it started to rain. I had just less than an hour on the bike, it was very boggy in places and surprisingly well drained in others. It was great to be out, just me, the bike and wooded singletrack. Typically as soon as I got back to the car the rain stopped the sun came out. I think what I’m trying to say is the thought of getting out is almost always the worst bit. Try and get out if you can OP, if you’re down in the SW I’d be happy to pedal with you. 
Yep its been grim out, but still managing 2-3 rides per week just tend to stay away from the woods which makes the rides a little more XC than I'd usually like TBH. Its still good to be out though... winter miles=summer smiles and all that 😉
If it was just this December it'd be manageable but I get the feeling that it started raining in around October 2022 and hasn't really stopped.
We certainly didn't get a decent Autumn in 2022 (usually a lovely season for cycling if it's bright), in January roads on the Somerset Levels were heavily flooded and I was ploughing through with the bottom bracket submerged (then it froze).
We had no Spring this year, just constant rain and I reckon we got no more that 3 or 4 reasonable weeks over the Summer. I don't recall September or October being any better and last month I was back ploughing through deep floods (the roads and fields still haven't recovered).
December's just been a continuation and another wash out and things don't seem to be showing any likelihood of changing; it's getting really hard to keep going.
I am by preference a fairish weather rider but I do ride in all sorts of conditions; the rain seems never-ending and it's getting thoroughly depressing.
well this pretty much says it all...
"Autumn rainfall has brought rainfall amounts to above average for most of the UK, following some notable and impactful rain, especially in the east of Scotland."
looks like earlier in the year was no better either 😕👇
from
https://blog.metoffice.gov.uk/
Bit of classic South Wales big hill action... proper wet weather gear and a good bunch of mates. Best ride of December by miles. Looking at forecast tho, wearing "shed roof" as rain jacket until 2024!
Subbing an ebike for the old winter hardtail has helped me keep riding more through crap weather
Got out this morning too first time this week - 25 miles on the road - dry and windy in W.Yorks - more rain in the afternoon.
19 rides in December, 18 windy, 17 rainy, but over 500 km covered with 14000 m ascent. It's definitely been Type 2 fun, and I now think I have dry rot!
Climate change. Suck it up buttercups and amend your lifestyle to deal with it. After a wet start today had one of the most enjoyable 5 hour rides of the year. Good company, interesting terrain and plenty of laughs. @ton very well said.
If it ain’t raining it ain’t training 🙂 I love riding (off-road) in the challenging conditions that winter brings, just got to change the mindset and go for it. I ditched Strava years ago so no clue on metrics - just if it made me smile or not, just go out and get loose, it’s still fun in the wet. Decent winter tyres and a radiator and shoe drier in my shed help make life infinitely more bearable this time of year.
If it’s windy it’s a woods day, if the wind is down we have a nice local old mining area with plenty of nice jump lines that takes the rain really well, ride and dig in equal measures there at the minute.
The clean up is a pain but it makes you appreciate those dry days that bit more. We had a great June and a bit of Sept. Hopefully the bit in between will be a bit drier and less windy next year!
Think it's where you are in the country.
GF is from Yorkshire and it was very wet and windy when plain sailing down South.
I've done two days this week, so above average.
New bike helps!
Mudhugger too!
I now think I have dry rot!
After two very wet rides in three days, I’m starting to fear for the state of my bike’s bottom bracket.
Also putting on a pair of Defrosters that are still soggy after the last ride isn’t pleasant. Should really have put my other shoes on as my feet would still have got soaked, but they’d have dried out…