Stepped out of the front door this morning to be greeted by easily the coldest day of the autumn so far, a sure sign, if one were needed, that winter is just around the corner.

But once wrapped up in some of my warmest cold weather clothing, the ride to work wasn’t that bad. A sharp blue sky overhead and a dry trail underneath the tyres, and it was a perfectly pleasant journey into the Bikemagic office. Enjoyable, I might even say.

This got me thinking, what kind of winter are we in for? That’s one for the weather forecasters to debate and argue over in much detail, but some reports today suggest that it might be another “harsh” winter for us all. Who knows if it will be as cold as the last winter, one which was proved the coldest since the late 1970s?

So does that mean it’s time to stock up on tinned food and anti-freeze for the car? Not I, I’m looking forward to some crisp winter rides, possibly a dump or two of snow to liven up an otherwise gloomy and murky winter. Digging out the narrow mud tyres in anticipation of some deep snow to ride through. I can’t wait.

Are you ready for the winter? What are you most looking forward to?