Explore new roads

Cycling is about exploration and winter, when long, steady base training rides are on the agenda, is as good a time as any to explore new roads.

One technique is to pick a point on a map, perhaps a previously unvisited village or climb, and to link up the lanes and roads that allow you to get there. Strava’s ‘explore’ function also allows you to pick out new segments to tackle – and join the RoadCyclingUK Strava club while you’re at it.

We’ve already divulged the benefits of joining a club but, chances are, by letting someone else lead the road you’ll also head into uncharted territory that you can later revisit on solo excursions.