While bicycle manufacturers seek to eek every aerodynamic gain out of their latest, greatest machine, the rider remains approximately 80 per cent of the frontal area, so get low in the drops and tuck your elbows in to reduce exposure to the wind.

If riding into an ever-present headwind then you may be there for a while so it pays to have your position dialled in.

If your handlebar is set too high then moving down to the drops will have little effect, too low and it will be uncomfortable to remain there for long. A bike fit is a worthwhile investment at any time of year.

Ensure that your clothing is close-fitting. That will already be the case for most performance-minded cyclists, but make sure your jacket also has a slim fit to stop it billowing in the wind and effectively acting as a sail.