Even professional riders and seasoned ambassadors struggle with motivation when the temperature drops and the nights draw in. The difference? They've developed strategies that work when willpower alone isn't enough.

When riding becomes work, or when January feels like an uphill battle, these are the people who still show up. Here's how they engineer motivation, break down barriers, and keep the wheels turning through Britain's toughest cycling months.

Ribble Ambassador and four-time national champion Tom Couzens doesn't rely on willpower to get out the door in January. He's built a system that makes riding easier than staying inside.

"It's that time of year when just showing up feels harder than ever," Tom admits. His solution? Five practical strategies that remove the barriers to winter riding.

1. Set a tangible goal. Whether it's a spring race like the Traka 100k or simply riding three times per week, having a target makes all the difference. Without something to aim towards, it's too easy to skip that ride.
   
2. Plan new routes. "Nothing beats that sense of adventure, like discovering a new gravel track." Combat training monotony by exploring unfamiliar roads or turning left instead of right. Keep your mind engaged when conditions test your legs.
   
3. Prepare the night before. "Get everything ready the night before to take away any obstacles that stop you getting out." Pump tyres, lay out kit, charge lights. The less morning friction, the more likely you'll ride.
   
4. Refresh your equipment. Tom acknowledges this costs more, but new kit "brings back the buzz you had when you first started riding." Whether it's a new bike or fresh bar tape, sometimes a reset sparks motivation
   
5. Reframe the weather. This is the crucial mindset shift. "Instead of seeing it as a barrier, I try to see it as part of the challenge." Accept the rain, embrace the mud, treat difficult conditions as opportunities to build resilience.
   

Tom's message is clear: motivation isn't accidental. It's engineered through preparation, goal setting, and mindset shifts that make riding more appealing than staying inside.

Sophie Wright made a stunning transition to gravel racing in 2025. After six years on the UCI Women's WorldTour racing at events like the Giro Rosa and La Vuelta, the former Junior European MTB Champion and National Cyclocross Champion joined the Ribble Outliers for their debut season.

She's been through UK winters at the highest level. Here's what she's learned.

1. Stay somewhere warm if you can. It's the easiest route and the one most pros take when possible. Training camps exist for good reason. If you can escape British January for even a week, your training quality improves dramatically and your motivation stays high.
2. Get proper mudguards, not selfish ones. Full coverage mudguards that hug the wheel aren't just about keeping you dry. They protect the riders behind you. Those short clip-on fenders might save your backside, but they spray road spray directly into your training partner's face. Be considerate.
3. Don't be macho about the cold. Forget the competition to see who can ride in shorts the longest. Cold muscles increase injury risk, and paying a physio to fix problems caused by tight, frozen legs isn't hardcore. Wear bib tights and a good quality jacket to keep your core warm.
4. Be nice to your body and dress warmer than you think. Sophie's philosophy is simple: better too hot than too cold. Keeping your core warm helps your extremities stay comfortable too. High intensity intervals with goose-bumpy legs and cold muscles aren't fun, and they're not effective training either.
5. Consistency beats toughness every time. Many people will skip training days because of weather. Intelligent preparation with the right kit and mindset ensures you're not one of them. That's the difference between those who build fitness through winter and those who just survive it.