Angus Young
Lives Dorset Age 24
There is nothing quite like a cold, clear frosty morning to get me going. But for the most part, winter cycling comes down to a sense of escapism: riding in the cold and the dark is such a stark contrast to your day-to-day warm lifestyle, so that sense of doing something di erent is amplified. When I head out in horrible conditions, the sense of achievement is much higher than on a summer’s day. That feeling will last the rest of the day and boost my whole outlook on life.
My primary focus is ultradistance riding, so long, fourhour-plus rides are essential all year round. If I wasn’t able to get out in the cold and put away steady base miles, I would struggle in the summer. I also love that feeling of knowing that most of your competition won’t be out riding in this weather.
During the o -season, I find it important to mix up my training. So, for the last few years, I’ve travelled to Europe for a few weeks to train and race crosscountry skiing and winter triathlon - a niche sport that involves running, cross-country mountain biking and crosscountry skiing, all on snow. So in a way, my yearly training plan is flipped, with more short-intensity work in winter and an endurance focus in summer.
I’ve just moved to Dorset to start a new teaching job and I’m looking forward to exploring its roads and bridleways this winter. For endurance-based rides on back roads, I take my Mason Bokeh gravel bike. I also have a Mason (steel) InSearchOf for o - road rides. If the weather is clear, I’ll use my summer race bike.
On cold days, it’s all about layering. The amount of heat you put out can vary massively, and so can the weather, so having the option to adapt is essential. One thing people can overlook is keeping your extremities warm, so a winter-specific cap and gloves go a long way. If it gets below freezing, I sometimes fill my bottles with warm water. Occasionally, I will take a stove, bikepacking style, and make a co ee or a meal out on a hill. It’s a real boost to morale and provides an extra purpose for the ride, which really helps with my motivation.
“When I head out in horrible conditions, the sense of achievement is much higher than on a summer’s day. That feeling will last the rest of the day and boost my whole outlook on life”
Angus Young , ultra cyclist