Wrap-up warm

The temperature is likely to be at its lowest once the sun goes down so wrap up and layer up. Bear in mind that the mercury is likely to drop further once you leave an urban area – one of our recent night rides saw the temperature drop from three degrees to 1.5 degrees as we rode from the outskirts of London into the countryside, only for the temperature to nudge back up as we returned.

Check the weather forecast and ensure you wear the right clothing for the conditions. Prepare for the unexpected and take an extra layer. A lightweight jacket takes up very little room in a jersey pocket but will provide a vital extra layer of protection if you ride into a rain shower, or will help keep the chill at bay if stranded at the roadside fixing a mechanical. Read our winter clothing guide for more advice.

Choose your clothing carefully to boost visibility and pay particular attention to reflective detail.