The reasons I continue to ride through winter are the same as the reasons why I choose to ride at all: shorter journey times, easier to filter through traffic, a far more adrenaline fuelled journey than I'd have in a car.

Of course, winter weather poses potential problems for us bikers – comfort being the immediate one that springs to mind – but I refuse to let that stop me. If you can't beat the winter, then you may as well join it, in my opinion, and motorcycling is one of the best ways I can think of to do that.

Nothing pleases me more, for example, than going down a hill on a freezing day, watching both mirrors get covered by condensation, which then gradually disappears as the bike goes back uphill again. It's the little things...

Motorcycling helps me to appreciate the change in seasons, and you don't have to feel uncomfortable just because it's cold, because: there's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing! The process itself of purchasing, fitting and using my winter biking gear has become a sort of winter ritual that I now look forward to each year.

Armed with all the right comforts, as the old summer riding season ends, a new season of motorcycling begins. It might not be as pleasurable as summer riding, but at least the contrast helps me to appreciate the latter even more!

Don't get me wrong, motorcycling is a big passion of mine. I love my bike so much, in fact, that I don't want to ride it through winter... this is not for my own benefit, but because winter riding can, and does, cause damage to bikes.

Perhaps not those Northern European-built bikes, which are purpose built to withstand our climate, but those built in Japan, like mine, are going to suffer through a European winter. Subject your bike to a winter ride and you also subject it to all the elements of winter ride, including salt; all of which can cause corrosion. Yes, I probably could lace my bike with ACF 50, or some similar product, and this would certainly help to prevent  corrosion – but I choose not to.

Better safe than sorry is my motto. This is also true of riding conditions, which are a lot more dangerous during winter. Frosty mornings and darker evenings both play a part in lowering your visibility on a bike. Wet and slippery roads are also potential accident risks.

I can't deny that comfort plays a part in the decision, either. It does not matter how many layers I put on, I'm still cold. And the change in wardrobe that comes with winter riding is not one that excites me.

All this in mind, you'll excuse me for saying that my winter ritual is, instead, one of preparing, cleaning and storing my bike; putting my feet up and comfortably watching the winter months roll on by, until spring.