The number one reason I am devoted to winter cycling is that I always seem to lose a bit more weight during the winter months, and I am still working on getting the last of my excess body fat off, so this is an important factor for me. When the temperature starts to go up, the weight loss ends. I think it is because my body has to work harder when cycling in the cold and wind and rain, thus I burn more calories, and thus I lose a bit of body fat. It keeps me motivated, that is for sure.

I have learned not to take the bike out on high wind days, when the temp is below freezing, or when the sky is black with rain clouds. I live in a moderate winter climate, so I can put in a lot of miles during the winter months. On the off days I do other activities. I've had quite a few winter rides where the rain was coming down so hard and fast that I had to seek shelter for an hour or more, waiting for the rain to get less fierce.