Eleven reasons why we’re looking forward to cycling this summer – Road Cycling UK

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Eleven reasons why we’re looking forward to cycling this summer

There's lots to look forward to...

The light at the end of the tunnel...

  • RCUK jersey, summer, sun

    Summer is coming...

  • RoadCyclingUK/RCUK jersey, climb, climbing, seated, summer, sun

    Extended daylight hours and improved weather make it easier to get out on the bike for a quick loop

  • Morvelo à bloc jersey, back, pic: Timothy John, ©Factory Media

    Clothing choices are much simpler in summer

  • Kinesis Racelight T2 winter bike (Pic: George Scott/Factory Media)

    It's at this time of year that riders retire the mudguard-equipped winter bike and pull the best bike from the garage

  • Vincenzo Nibali, Tour de France 2014, stage 21, podium, Paris, pic: ©Sirotti

    Vincenzo Nibali will return to the Tour de France as defending champion but he'll face stiff competition from Chris Froome, Alberto Contador and Nairo Quintana (Pic: Sirotti)

  • Trek Domane 6.9 Disc (Pic: George Scott/Factory Media)

    Disc brakes will debut in the pro peloton this summer

  • Alpe d'Huez sign, pic: ©Media-24, submitted by Mike Cotty, used with permission

    Peter Cossins' looks at 'cycling's greatest climb' in Alpe d'Huez (pic: Media-24)

  • Bicycle chain jet wash, Ride 2013, Pic: Timothy John, ©Factory Media

    Summer means less time washing your bike, and more time riding it

  • Mike Cotty, clothing, climbing, mountain, summer (Pic: Media 24)

    After a hard winter's training, summer is the time to reap the rewards (Pic: Media 24)

  • The perfect recovery drink, right? (Pic: Don LaVange via Flickr Creative Commons)

  • Have you set yourself a summer challenge?

  • RCUK jersey, descent, descending, summer, sun

    Practice your descending technique in the build-up to the Etape du Tour

The light at the end of the tunnel...

This is an exciting time of year as a cyclist.

It’s during spring that, after toiling through yet another long, hard winter, we break through into the light at the end of the tunnel which during the cold, dark months gone by seems so distant.

The days get longer, nights shorter, and the weather steadily improves. Summer – and all it brings – is on the horizon. This week’s fine weather, venturing comfortably past 20 degrees in some parts of the country, has given us that first, sweet taste of what’s to come.

And it got us thinking. What are we most looking forward to about summer on the bike? Here are eleven things for starters. Add your own in the comments below.

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