Most of us at Yorkshire’s Finest have metaphorically and some actually, hung up our bikes for the winter. Whilst one or two hardy (or is that foolhardy), continue to pedal the lanes of North Yorkshire, most of “the finest” have packed away their bikes until warmer Westerlies arrive sometime in April. However, whilst cycling might have been abandoned, rumour has it that some of YFs, have been spotted on the golf course, (grinding down their handicap), others are spinning in a gym or ploughing the lanes of a swimming pool (one is even doing all 3, but then he could never sit still), with a few still getting in the virtual miles in their “pain-caves” (you know who you are). Still others are comforting themselves with bracing walks with their partners and then hunkering down in front of the wood burner (the author has no idea whether anyone actually has a wood burner), with a bottle of the red and a Netflix film or two. And of course there are plenty who are seeking warmer climes, to absent themselves from the two coldest months of the year, in search of winter sun. (Yes it’s true Jan and Fed are in fact our coldest months, with December a poor third). So what of actual winter cycling on proper roads? Well let’s face it in many respects winter cycling is often no fun at all, and on most days a real chew. Just preparing to ride takes forever, with layer upon layer of clothing, winter cycling mitts, that render you enable to do any tasks requiring dexterity, a beany to keep your head warm that you would not normally been seen dead in and then a variety of outer waterproof garments shoved into your back pocket in case, it rains, snows, get colder or you have to stop. Add to this that said clothing either makes you so hot you sweat, or so cold that no matter how hard you cycle, you still have to have 10 mins in the shower to defrost, it simply ain’t fun. And the feet simply never get warm, despite two layers of winter thermal socks and themal overshoes and a liberal application of deep heat (yes apparently muscle rub is used by some to keep their feet warm). And then you have to contend with the weather; rain, fog, frosty roads, mud and leaf mulch, along with the regular danger of punctures, as farmers across the county come out in force to cut the hedgerows in advance of spring nesting birds (don’t tell me this blog is not educational). And finally the “beast from the east” or rather dreaded cold Easterly and North Easterly winds, that no matter how carefully you plan, riding firstly out into the headwind, it never seems to return the favour on the way back. So it begs the question of why cycle through the winter at all. Well the truth is all the above applies and thus makes it a real “royal” pain the the ass. It really does take some effort and willpower to get out from under the cosy duvet, fill up the water bottle, shove an energy bar in your back pocket and drag the bike from the garage. But, and here’s the secret that winter cyclists share; when you get some days like we have had in late January and early Feb, where the low winter sun shines bright in a cloudless sky, flooding the landscape with that special light, when the roads are empty of tourist and day-trip traffic and you find yourself almost alone in the emptiness of a Yorkshire Wold, atop a Howardian hill or pedalling a winding lane in the Vale of York, there is a moment or two of joy as you lose yourself in the natural landscape and feel at one with nature!! (Ok the “one with nature” thing might be pressing the metaphor a bit too hard, but you get the point). And when you come across a fellow winter cyclists you a nod a good morning in the knowledge you share the winter cycling secret.