A RIDE on a winter's day can be exhilarating, but you will need to make some preparations for seasonal cycling. The main ones are:

Comfortable and waterproof clothes;

Regular bike maintenance checks;

Reliable and effective lights.

A good coat can make all the difference, keeping you warm and dry, and if it 'breathes' it will allow you to endure rain without becoming a mobile sauna.

The Goretex material coats provide these functions and, fortunately, affordable alternatives also exist in most outdoor stores. Your outer layer should be bright for visibility or you should add a fluorescent belt, or vest.

Check your bike regularly, paying particular attention to the brakes. It's worth having a service from a local bike shop who will also check the wear to bearings etc. (see a Richards' Bicycle Maintenance book for easy-to-follow advice)

Autumn and winter can be hard on bikes so a few simple steps are worth pursuing to keep your bike operating smoothly on the road.

Oil the transmission (chain and cogs) regularly.

Look out for grit and debris stuck in the transmission and remove it an old toothbrush is quite effective at doing this little job.

'True up' brakes and replace shoes regularly.

Keep tyres up to a firm pressure.

Buy some quality lights your life may depend on it! Batteries can be a chore but rechargeable ones are available in any size now; just be sure to carry some back-up spares.

The LED red lights are useful support for rear lights but you really need a full cycle light at the front (to cast a beam). If you want to be very green and save buying batteries, you can invest in a dynamo (light generator).

Their main problem is that they go out when you stop cycling so another rear light (e.g. LED) is an essential.

Finally, try to avoid the temptation of cycling on pedestrian ways it's scary for the elderly and visually impaired and reduces the argument for specific cycling facilities.