Cycling over winter

David100

Just wanted to see what most people do over winter about cycling. I've not seen that many on the roads recently.

I know personally I've not been out since the beginning of November. Weather dependent I'm hoping to get out at the weekend.

So what do most people do? Suck it up and ride what ever the weather, take a few months out or go the gym/turbo trainer?

Thanks
David

peejay78

at the end of november i tend to drop off; riding only once or twice a week. if the weather is really icy i don't ride at all.

around the 20th december i start riding again, to get a few in before christmas. this time of year i try and get my mileage up to proper levels, at least 100 miles pw.

i loathe my turbo trainer with an absolute passion.

red dragon

For me it is totally dependant on the weather, for the last couple of years I have joined the local gym, then on days when it is not to bad I can grab the bike and get in a few miles. Trouble is the older I get I have noticed that that I do not bounce to well.

seanoconn

I'm on the bike all year round, apart from when it snows or if very icy. Quite enjoy cycling in the winter.

robmurr2000

If it's really cold/icy I use the turbo trainer and the Sufferfest videos.

flipp

still commute and occasional rides dependant on weather + short sesions on trainer

markos1963

I enter a triathlon so I have something to aim at in the spring. If the weather is very bad I go swimming, if it's frosty/icy I go running and if it's just wet and miserable I cheer myself up by going cycling.

AndyF16

Personally I've been out all through winter apart from when properly icy

Might sound a bit perverse, but I've really been enjoying the very cold days if dryish too

Omar Little

I'm still going out regularly but have to pick the times a bit more carefully. Not so much the weather but the dark nights and mornings - love the summer nights being able to go out for a couple of hours in the evening or getting up at 7 and going on a long ride and be back in time for lunch.

meanredspider

I just MTFU and jump on the MTB with ice tyres - I've done just under 200 miles since last Tuesday.

I'd like to say it's nice that the there's no other bikes out - but there's no bikes out in the summer either!

danowat

Over December and January I have done......

3 Audaxes
1 Time trial
1 50mile reliability ride

and roughly 150 miles a week commuting.......

I missed about a week or so when the weather was really, really bad (thick ice on the roads), but apart from that, its all fair game IMO

SBezza

Carry on as usual, unless the roads are icy, on my bike nearly every day.

Get the right kit and it is fine, again apart from when keeping the bike upright because of ice becomes an issue.

simon_e

SBezza wrote:

Carry on as usual

Same here. I can use a route to work via main roads (not my first choice normally) which are treated. In the snow and ice the worst bit has been the 200 yards from my front door. After that it's plain sailing, I soon warm up.

For me the right kit isn't anything fancy: Altura's fleecy winter tights, merino base layer instead of cycling jersey, silk liner gloves inside full finger gloves, an extra pair of socks and/or neoprene overshoes, and a buff for my ears below 0°C. Gloves and shoes on the radiator for 10mins before putting them on. Mmmm, toasty!

I don't miss de-icing the windscreen, the door locks and sitting in a freezer for 20 minutes (which only starts warming up when I'm nearly at work), queueing through town and getting to work still feeling cold. I find I'm much happier after being on the bike, regardless of the temperature.

briantrumpet

Simon E wrote:

SBezza wrote:

I don't miss de-icing the windscreen, the door locks and sitting in a freezer for 20 minutes (which only starts warming up when I'm nearly at work), queueing through town and getting to work still feeling cold. I find I'm much happier after being on the bike, regardless of the temperature.

Yep, that just about sums it up.

I've only had one complete day off the bike because of the snow, but on the other hand I don't 'worry' that my mileage is down (lack of longer evening and weekend rides). If I can get in one moderate push ride per week as well as commuting, I'm happy. I also keep up regular swimming to keep heart & lungs working.

MikeWW

Missed a couple of weeks when there was a lot of snow and ice about before Xmas(and used the turbo and rollers instead) Since then it tends to be 4 road sessions and 1 to 2 turbo/roller sessions.Been great the last couple of weeks as its started to get a bit warmer.
Do the first of the pre season reliability rides Sunday-can't wait