Suddenly it's November...

...and all dark and gloomy. The summer felt a long way away on my wet and windy run home tonight. I generally run into work one day and cycle the next. Commuting into the centre of Leeds on my fixie gets an extra dimension of challenge in the dark. Car drivers don't need much excuse not to see you at the best of times. I may look iike a right wierdo in my commuting kit; big daylow jacket, a few flashy rear lights, one on my handlebars and a really flashy one on my helmet, but at least they've got no excuse not to see me! 

The trails are all gloopy but that's ok. My singlespeed bike comes into its own in the winter. Cos it's only got one gear there is almost zero maintenance, I go out and get really muddy and then just lob it back in the shed, perfect.  

Whilst it may be dark and cold, there are plenty of things to help keep warm over the winter months.  Night-time mountain-biking, orienteering, cyclo-cross and scottish winter adventures to name but a few. I am off to Torridon next week for the first time and can't wait!