To be honest....

Jcjblackwood
Jcjblackwood Posts: 24
edited October 2013 in Training, fitness and health
Once I get on the bike and out on the road I couldn't be happier. Tyler hamilton suggests telling yourself "let's just go for a ten minute ride". BUT....my question is, what goes through your mind when you get home to a warm house from the dark / cold, to get on the bike and get back out in the dark / cold. Brrrrrrrr.

Comments

  • bahzob
    bahzob Posts: 2,195
    Nothing because I don't.

    I've done more than my fair share of training through the winter in foul conditions in the past and decided its a mugs game.

    I've got myself an VR turbo and do all my winter training on that. It may be blowing a gale outside but I don't care because I am climbing some mountain in sunshine somewhere or other in the world.

    And to boot the quality of the training is way better, every minute is spent productively, non is wasted putting on umpteen layers of clothing, fixing punctures, cleaning the bike etc etc.
    Martin S. Newbury RC
  • buckles
    buckles Posts: 694
    I'm not bothered about the warm house, I enjoy going out in the cold and/or rain. I don't feel the cold anyway as I dress to keep warm.

    If there was nobody else in the house I would make sure the heating is off when I get home from work, so it's not comfortable enough to make me want to stay in.
    25% off your first MyProtein order: sign up via https://www.myprotein.com/referrals.lis ... EE-R29Y&li or use my referral code LEE-R29Y
  • Jcjblackwood
    Jcjblackwood Posts: 24
    Turbo's cheating isn't it? Surely we can't spend November to March spinning indoors :?
  • petemadoc
    petemadoc Posts: 2,331
    Best to mix things up a bit. Turbo is great when it's really cold, blowing a gale or torrential rain. Stick a sufferfest video on and dig in.

    On the other hand, get some super bright lights and go off on a night ride adventure. The right clothes help too.
  • overlord2
    overlord2 Posts: 339
    bahzob wrote:
    Nothing because I don't.

    I've done more than my fair share of training through the winter in foul conditions in the past and decided its a mugs game.

    I've got myself an VR turbo and do all my winter training on that. It may be blowing a gale outside but I don't care because I am climbing some mountain in sunshine somewhere or other in the world.

    And to boot the quality of the training is way better, every minute is spent productively, non is wasted putting on umpteen layers of clothing, fixing punctures, cleaning the bike etc etc.

    So what happens when you either race, do a sportive, or do a long ride and the weather turns bad? To me winter is as essential to training as is summer. You like it really you are just been facetious. :wink:
  • BillyMansell
    BillyMansell Posts: 817
    Overlord2 wrote:
    bahzob wrote:
    Nothing because I don't.

    I've done more than my fair share of training through the winter in foul conditions in the past and decided its a mugs game.

    I've got myself an VR turbo and do all my winter training on that. It may be blowing a gale outside but I don't care because I am climbing some mountain in sunshine somewhere or other in the world.

    And to boot the quality of the training is way better, every minute is spent productively, non is wasted putting on umpteen layers of clothing, fixing punctures, cleaning the bike etc etc.

    So what happens when you either race, do a sportive, or do a long ride and the weather turns bad? To me winter is as essential to training as is summer. You like it really you are just been facetious. :wink:
    I imagine that in a race or challenge ride that is not in winter they'd got on with it as such events are often time constrained and the conditions the same for everyone but we're only talking about training here and not those types of events.

    There appears to be a very simple-minded, black and white view prevalant when it comes to weather - either you're an aspiring hard man who goes out in any conditions or you're a softie fair weather rider. The reality is there's a continuum of weather and we're all free to pick and choose when we want to go out.

    Back in the day there were all sorts of cod psychology about what made you a better racer that focused on toughening people up - training in all weathers was one, training without hydration was another - but the benefits of pursuing such cod psychology have been brought into question.

    I also have a VR trainer and it's not a matter of it replacing road riding but complimentig it. It's nice to have the freedom to choose.
  • phreak
    phreak Posts: 2,953
    I'm much the same as Bahzob. Just more time effective to train indoors, especially as I spend a good 30 minutes just getting out of London. I tend to use outdoor rides purely for the enjoyment sake of it rather than any specific training.
  • bahzob
    bahzob Posts: 2,195
    Overlord2 wrote:

    So what happens when you either race, do a sportive, or do a long ride and the weather turns bad? To me winter is as essential to training as is summer. You like it really you are just been facetious. :wink:

    Fortunately (or otherwise) I have a very large reservoir of hellish experience to fall back on and bolster my courage. A torrid time in the Low Countries stands out. When things get bad, no matter how much I tell myself "It could be worse, I could be in Belgium"

    (No offence to Belgians, I love the people (and the beer), it's trying to ride through the country in the face of a howling gale that's the problem)
    Martin S. Newbury RC
  • mile muncher
    mile muncher Posts: 30
    Being outside is infinitely better than being in a spare room or garage having my soul destroyed by tedious turbo, for me anyway, you go places and see things and its just more fun. Pretending I'm cycling up mountains like playing a computer game whilst not going anywhere just does'nt cut the mustard.

    And on a proper ride you can have sneaky stop offs in the pub or cake shops and no one would ever know :wink:

    We are lucky to have 4 seasons and I love cycling in all of them. There is no bad weather, just the wrong clothes.
  • mpatts
    mpatts Posts: 1,010
    I love riding in the rubbish weather. Makes you feel alive.

    Nothing quite like a shower after a long cold ride.
    Insert bike here:
  • diamonddog
    diamonddog Posts: 3,426
    Don't mind the cold weather but the dark with nutty drivers is a no no.
  • ozzzyosborn206
    ozzzyosborn206 Posts: 1,340
    I am rubbish about going out in the dark, when i get home from work and its already dark i find it much easier to get the motivation to train on the turbo than on the road. But at weekends when i like to do longer rides sitting on the turbo/rollers drives me mad
  • fish156
    fish156 Posts: 496
    bahzob wrote:
    ...
    I've got myself an VR turbo and do all my winter training on that.
    I'm a cyclist. Turbo training isn't cycling (IMO). I gave my last turbo away.

    The only exception is icy weather. Not worth wasting training with a needless crash.
  • chrisaonabike
    chrisaonabike Posts: 1,914
    mpatts wrote:
    Nothing quite like a shower after a long cold ride.
    Couldn't agree more.

    I particularly enjoy the excruciating agony from my feet, having got into the shower before they've regained their feeling.
    Is the gorilla tired yet?
  • 99thmonkey
    99thmonkey Posts: 667
    In the depths of winter I stand in the garden in my speedos after having an ice cold shower then I put on my usual cycling kit and feel lovely and warm and just get amongst it.

    If its icy I paint my tyres with a mixture of sand and wood varnish and it makes them extra grippy
  • napoleond
    napoleond Posts: 5,992
    Anyone who thinks turbo training is for softies isn't doing it right...

    I can jump on my turbo and do a very high quality workout in an hour. Or, I can get all dressed up, get my kit together, ride in sh1t weather dodging commuters rushing home where I am just a disposable obstacle and 'get a few miles in'...
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  • diamonddog
    diamonddog Posts: 3,426
    NapoleonD wrote:
    Anyone who thinks turbo training is for softies isn't doing it right...

    I can jump on my turbo and do a very high quality workout in an hour. Or, I can get all dressed up, get my kit together, ride in sh1t weather dodging commuters rushing home where I am just a disposable obstacle and 'get a few miles in'...
    ^^This^^
  • jjojjas
    jjojjas Posts: 346
    I'd guess its entirely individual and probably also depends upon how serious you are. I'm no roadie/racer. I might look like one, but I'm just a bloke who likes riding bikes to keep fit and because its fun....get this...I often go out for a few hours with no electrical gadgets on me so I don't know how far or how fast I went!!!! :mrgreen:

    I only pedal a bike outside, I don't possess a turbo trainer so for me I just accept if the weathers crap then I make the choice - go for a ride or slack off and do something else.
    No macho thing, but I don't mind the cold or dark. Not a fan of heavy rain and wind though.

    Each to their own and good luck to them all. :D
    it looks a bit steep to me.....
  • manxshred
    manxshred Posts: 295
    During the week: Turbo for bad weather, MTB for outdoor night rides

    Weekend: depends on the weather. If it is terrible, turbo. If okay but misty, too wet or icy probably MTB, else road.
  • diamonddog
    diamonddog Posts: 3,426
    Out yesterday, rain,thunder and windy but today is worse where I live so turbo tonight.

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