Over the years of my racing career many people have asked me the same questions: “How to you Brits manage to train in the winter when the weather if so bad?” and “Where do you train in the UK as you have no mountains?”

I have to say that there are many times when I’m mountain biking in the winter when I do wish I was somewhere a little more sunny, with some slightly drier trails and the thought of just being able to wear a pair of shorts and not tights, overshoes, thermals, gloves etc. seeming like a dream! However in the last month I have been back into full training with lots of off-road and have had the chance to answer both of those questions and experience just how much riding the UK has to offer.

We are pretty lucky in that we rarely get enough snow to really stop us riding our bikes for more than a few fays at a time, so we really can ride all year round, unlike many of my race competitors who live in the mountains of Europe and can only ski for many months so have to travel to ride their bikes or spend hours indoors on their turbos. Once you have invested in some good quality biking kit, learnt about layering, waterproofs, windstoppers and got some overshoes or winter boots and some mudguards you are set for mountain biking in the winter in the UK.

I have had the opportunity to visit some of the best riding spots we have on offer, from the natural terrain in the Lake District to the purpose built trail centres of North Wales. Both deliver a very different mountain bike experience but both perfect destinations for winter riding.