Technique

Five reasons to keep riding outside when the weather’s bad

The temptation to stay indoors can be overpowering as winter draws in, but there are more than a few reasons to head out and brave the elements...

You'll be hard as nails

If you're going to ride through autumn and winter then you better get used to the idea of getting wet
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The only way to learn how to ride in the wet... is to ride in the wet
Summoning the motivation to get out and ride is often the hardest part (Pic: Deborah Malin/Media 24)
There's something very peaceful about riding in the rain
The 2013 edition of Milan-San Remo was beset by bad weather (Pic: Sirotti)

You'll be hard as nails

Let’s be honest, who watched the apocalyptic 2013 edition of Milan-San Remo and didn’t think the guys looked hard as nails?

Looking past the fact that the majority of the peloton didn’t enjoy that race one bit, there’s definitely a level of kudos to be gained by being spotted out riding when the weather’s bad.

If you’re out in driving rain, snow, minus temperatures or similar, that’s something legit to brag about to your clubmates (unless they were there, of course, then the story might get a little boring). Hell, even number nine in the Velominati’s crazy rules says riding in bad weather is badass.

But remember, looking hard when riding in bad weather doesn’t mean going out in zero degree temperatures or driving rain wearing just a jersey and shorts and getting hypothermia after an hour. That’s just stupid.