There are a few things you may need to look doing to make winter cycling safer and more bearable!
Clip on Mud Guards - Today you can buy a whole range of snazzy 'clip-on' front or rear mud guards. No more turning up to work with a racing strip on your backside! If the weekend ride ends up being a sunny one, simply unclip them 5 minutes before leaving to get that racy look again!
Oil your Chain - Wipe your chain with a clean cloth and apply a thin layer of fresh oil before each ride during these winter months. Rain, dirt and grit wear down your chain and the other components of your drive-chain quicker in winter. You may have to use a specially formulated 'wet' grade oil for your local bike store as the thinner 3 in 1 varieties seem to wear away quickly in wet conditions.
Rear Red Light - Have a good flashing light at the ready! Or even better...two. These are very light weight and you have instant visability from passing cars at the end of your finger tips. Don't get caught out riding to work in the fog or in the dark!
Heavy Duty Tyres - Ever noticed that this time of the year you get more flatties? It's because when your tyres or the road surface is wet (or even damp) the grit and small pieces of glass stick to your tyres...and can even hang on for a joy ride and slowly start embedding into the rubber surface of your tyre. So it's a good idea to put a heavier reinforced tyre on during this time of the year and quickly check your tyres for small cuts or embedded glass prior to leaving for a ride. Also, if your wear gloves riding and you notice that you've just ploughed straight through a pile of glass...quickly place the palm of your gloved hand on the top of the tyre and try and keep the glasses joy ride down to only one lap! (be aware not to use bear fingers though!!!)
A decent Water Proof Rain Jacket – Invest in a quality seem sealed water proof jacket that will fight off the most heinous weather! Not only does it rain…but you have a bike that throws water strips on you and traffic that drives past and sprays you! Investing in these jackets are a long term investment and should last you years, so think long term when looking at the price tag! The material should be breathable and the seams sealed you no water can sneak through to your under clothes. Also…for cycling…buy cycling specific models…and the tramping version you may find in the camping store may not work that well bent over a bike!