Make a training plan

Set yourself a summer goal? Make a training plan to ensure that becomes a reality. It needn’t be scientific, but by setting yourself small, measurable goals through winter – whether that be riding a certain number of miles a weeks or making sure you join at least two club runs a month – you can measure progress and maintain motivation.

Here are our top five tips to creating a winter plan – or you can find stacks of training advice here.

If, however, you need an additional hand to steady ship then a coach can be a worthwhile investment. Professional coaching may seem just that – for professionals – but it’s relatively inexpensive compared, say, to a set of carbon fibre wheels and is more likely to make you faster come summer 2014.