It?s January and it?s raining outside. It rained yesterday, and the day before that and the day before that. And it?s easy to use the excuse of ?bad weather? to stop us going out on our bikes. I?ll be honest, I?m as guilty as the next man for it. I don?t like getting cold and wet. But there?s a gentleman who lives in my village who doesn?t see it that way. He gets up every morning, rain or shine, and rides his bike the 15 miles or so to work. And then rides it back again at home time. I was having a pint with him over Christmas and I asked him how he manages it, and he told me his philosophy. He said ?There?s no such thing as bad weather, there?s only the wrong clothes?.

And that struck a cord with me, because he?s absolutely right. Particularly if you live in the UK. Because we really don?t get any properly ?bad? weather, do we" When was the last time we had tornado?s ripping cities apart" Hurricanes causing flash floods" More than a couple of inches of snow at a time" I can?t remember.
Anyway that?s besides the point. The point is that you can dress appropriately for 99% of all possible weather conditions. That?s what my mate does every day for his commute into work. And according to him, it?s not even that difficult even in the deepest darkest winter months. The trick to it, he says, is keeping the water out. If you can keep yourself dry, keeping warm is the easy bit.

Undies

And I?d be inclined to agree with him. I?ve done a few lo...