Morning frosts are now a regular sight and Oxford is once again a cold cycling environment for the remaining winter months. Those of us who cycle all year round have to think about our barrier defences against the deep freeze. We can no longer pedal out the door forgetting our extra sweater.

We need to be clever about the day’s cycling ahead of us and what we intend to wear for it.

A large part of my difficulties with dressing appropriately for winter cycling is although you start cold, after minutes you will have warmed to a point that if you’d assessed the layers needed incorrectly you will be overheating and sweating like a gym bunny. Not good if you don’t have shower facilities at the other end of your commute like me.

I am also not one to dress like I’m entering the Tour de France and prefer civilian clothes over Lycra for commuting.

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I also do not want to get changed the other end so a sweaty base layer will ruin your day once you are off the bike and no one wants to work with a clammy, smelly cyclist anyway.

Hands and feet at this time of year will suffer if you don’t think ahead. Waterproof boots and thick socks are my choice but toe or boot covers will suffice if you like to be clipped in. Any good cyclist will have a range of gloves and ones that you can layer. Waterproofing is a must unless you plan to have a spare pair with you. Ears and necks are better covered up. A lot of the trendy cyclists have snoods, this is one item of ‘80s clothing that is still acceptable to wear and the serious peddlers favour the lighter materials. But I like a something big and woolly to keep me snug. All that worrying about your attire is secondary to the one thing that will keep you moving, yes don’t forget to care for your bike.

Transmissions suffer from the gritted roads, condensation in your cables can leave you with frosted gears and brakes and tyres and tubes really hate extreme weather.

So lube your chain regularly, change your cables if you can and keep tyres at or above your minimum pressure. And get the kit right.

Everyone except the craziest hipsters love a mudguard in the winter, a dry bum is taken for granted until you experience the annoyance of a soggy backside for the day.

Finally don’t give up cycling because of the cold.

There are too many fair weather cyclists already and cycling in winter is actually a joy once you master keeping warm and dry.

There is nothing nicer than the scenery with Jack Frost’s little touches here and there, you don’t have to spend hours defrosting your windscreen and you don’t spend precious time freezing while waiting for a bus. And finally when you finish your ride or commute there is the promise of a hot drink.

Trust me a hot chocolate or cappuccino never tastes as good as it does after a frosty ride across town.

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