June! Already! Can you believe it? The sixth month of the year signifies the beginning of winter down here. We’ve been pretty lucky with the weather so far (he says, watching rain splatter against the office window). It has been relatively dry and mild for this time of year. No sub-zero nights or morning frost just yet.

I’m sure that will change over the next couple of weeks. The days are far shorter, dark and chilly mornings, but the afternoons are still clinging onto the last threads of warmth from the sun hanging low on the horizon. I’ve even enjoyed a few short sleeve rides! Only borderline mind you. There won’t be many more of those here in Tasmania for a while I’d imagine.

Barely short-sleeve weather. Rocking the Polti Visit Malta pro kit!

Heading into winter there’s always plenty to be done around the property in preparation for the cold. That work, plus my actual work, plus the shorter days, means less time for the bike. I’m still hitting some productive training sessions and the legs feel relatively good for this time of year. The new bike is still riding like a dream too, so that definitely helps with motivation!

What’s in store for the coming months you may ask? Winter usually means it’s time to wheel out the gravel bike! I have been getting a few good rides on the Trek Checkpoint already. Some local gravel explorers and even taking it on the weekly bunch ride (that’s hard work).

I like the gravel bike in winter for a number of reasons, namely it’s more comfortable, I can take different roads and trails on a whim, and tubeless means there’s less chance of mucking about with roadside punctures in the freezing cold. Yes, I could go tubeless on my road bikes, but that’s a whole other discussion.

So if you’re up in the Northern Hemisphere, I trust you’re enjoying the first says of a long summer. Spare a thought for me way down here in the cold. I’ll be rugged up, still riding, and hopefully still with a smile on my face.