Lord love climate change.  It’s turned the seasons upside down. We get sunshine and winter rideouts at the beginning of January, then cold and snao three weeks later, and then…… who knows.   But on two wheels, we have to be more prepared for any change.   In terms of riding, the cold and wet is going to affect you, how your bike reacts and it’s not going to be as much of a laugh.

In wet weather allow double the distance to brake, and avoid pools of water on the road.  When a tyre can’t displace water quickly enough, you lose grip on the road and can aquaplane.  So slow down and remember manholes, drain covers and white lines get especially slippery when wet.

In the cold, your concentration can suffer and riding in snow and ice (yep, it could all reappear in February) can again seriously affect your tyres’ grip which in turn messes up your accelerating, cornering and braking.  Avoid riding when the temperature’s below freezing whenever possible, and especially if there is ice or black ice on the roads.

In the fog, keep your distance from vehicles ahead and behind, check your lights are in good working order and…. Slow down.

In windy conditions keep an eye out for places where gusts could throw you off course:  If you pass lorries or high-sided vehicles, gaps in hedges or buildings and on open, exposed roads.