Every now and again we all need a little kick in the saddle to get out and ride, not least in winter.

Strava run a number of challenges throughout the year, with the severity of the challenge often dictated by the season, and having a specific mileage or time target at the back of your mind can help you get out of the front door and on the road when the weather says otherwise.

Daylight hours are growing ever shorter and the current ‘Competitive Cyclist Short Days Long Rides’ challenge tests riders with the task of completing 20 hours between November 22 and December 5. If you fancy a tough challenge over the Christmas period then Rapha’s annual Festive 500 challenges riders to clock 500km between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Game on!

If you take on a challenge, your progress (in 25 per cent increments) will be displayed on the feed of users who follow you and if you complete a challenge then an award will be added to your virtual trophy cabinet.

Otherwise, if you want to create your own targets through the winter, premium members can set time or distance goals to track progress week-by-week, as well as goals for individual segments. Want to crack a PB on a particular segment? Set the target time and date and get training!