Winter – cold weather, darker mornings and evenings, wet and often slippery roads – it’s not really a season that’s kind to us as bikers!

Whilst many people put their bike away or start dismantling bits of it on their kitchen table, many of us still keep riding throughout the year - either because that’s our main form of transport or just because we love the thrill of riding and have no intention of giving it up.

It goes without saying; wear the correct kit to keep warm and to protect yourself from the elements. With British weather as unpredictable as it is, it’s also worth regularly refreshing your Roadcraft knowledge, and always perform the 'POWER' checks before getting on your bike.

You may already know this but it’s always worth reminding ourselves that over the next few months, if we encounter difficult conditions we need to reduce our speed to give us more time to react and brake. It can take double the distance to stop in the rain, and ten times the distance in ice, so try increasing the distance between you and the vehicle in front by at least this amount.

Some road surfaces such as cats eyes, road markings and drains can get slippery when wet, so avoid them whenever possible.  Watch out for diesel spills which often appear as a rainbow pattern in the wet, avoid leaving manoeuvres until the last minute, and above all do everything you possibly can to get home safely to your family after every ride.