Winter weather stopping me.

mike7382 said:

Its winter here in Pennsylavnia. Its the worst time of year. I cant get a ride in at all. my cousin tries but it is only a few feet before getting stuck in the snow. I feel like im getting out of shape. I mean doing 1500 miles in a summer is not bad but quitting all of the sudden. Anyway I was wondering what some of u other people do in the winter? I try to get in some rides but they are really not worth it. So can someone help me out here?

I've been getting 1-2 outside rides in during the week, and the rest of the week is filled with rollers sessions. I keep my short-medium length rides reserved for those cold outside days so my fingers won't ice cube on me.

mike7382 said:

Its winter here in Pennsylavnia. Its the worst time of year. I cant get a ride in at all. my cousin tries but it is only a few feet before getting stuck in the snow. I feel like im getting out of shape. I mean doing 1500 miles in a summer is not bad but quitting all of the sudden. Anyway I was wondering what some of u other people do in the winter? I try to get in some rides but they are really not worth it. So can someone help me out here?

I'm right there with you. You need to get an indoor trainer for your bike. Or go to the gym and lift lots of heavy weights so Ric can say weight training is worthless except for maybe track cyclists :-) Seriously though, you can curcuit train to get at least some aerobic and muscular endurance training or use some of the cardio machines. Something is better than nothing...

Rollers, bike racing videos and stubborness.

Personally I can manage ok in the cold as long as the wind isn't too bad. Really it's all in having the right clothes. A few layers of arm warmers, long sleeve jersey, wind vest, fleece tights, neoprene shoe covers etc will work wonders. I live in Albany, NY and today was about 28 degrees but sunny so I got in a aride. Sunday was about the same only cloudier but less windy - So I got in a ride.I guess I am pretty determined but I usually find that the hard part is getting out the door. I have yet to go out for a ride and wish I had stayed home. Like the poster above said, a few shorter outdoor rides can do wonders to keep motivation up for indoor suffer sessions.

NW

mike7382 said:

Its winter here in Pennsylavnia. Its the worst time of year. I cant get a ride in at all. my cousin tries but it is only a few feet before getting stuck in the snow. I feel like im getting out of shape. I mean doing 1500 miles in a summer is not bad but quitting all of the sudden. Anyway I was wondering what some of u other people do in the winter? I try to get in some rides but they are really not worth it. So can someone help me out here?

Go for an indoor trainer. I live in Northeastern PA, so I feel your pain 🙁. I broke down and finally bought an indoor trainer. Then the trick was just staying motivated by riding on that thing. Whenever I can I still sneak outside to get in some miles before it gets too cold, but the indoor trainer is the way to go.
Enjoy!

mike7382 said:

Its winter here in Pennsylavnia. Its the worst time of year. I cant get a ride in at all. my cousin tries but it is only a few feet before getting stuck in the snow. I feel like im getting out of shape. I mean doing 1500 miles in a summer is not bad but quitting all of the sudden. Anyway I was wondering what some of u other people do in the winter? I try to get in some rides but they are really not worth it. So can someone help me out here?

It's a bit late now 😉 but try cross-country skiing next winter. Both skating and classic techniques are great for cycling muscles. Also skiing is a great upperbody workout. Also skiing is alternative rest from intense biking season. I hope you have good skiing tracks in Pennsylvania.

I've fallen in love with winter riding this year. In the past I didn't really like it because I wasn't really set up for it, but I found a half decent combination that works for me this winter. First off I'm riding my old beater bike. It's an old Raleigh bike with a flat bar and bar ends. There's no way I'm riding one of my nicer bikes with all this salt and [censored] on the shoulders. But I've got the beater set up so I'm pretty much in the same riding position I would be on my summer bikes. The thing is pretty indestructible. It's covered in dirt and sand/salt all the time but never misses a shift. I'm running mountain bike tires with a pretty aggressive tread on them. I use old no-clip pedals so that I can wear a pair of insulated hiking boots with good quality socks, gotta keep the feet warm. I wear a camel back so that my juice doesn't freeze. Good quality base layer is a must. Goretex jacket with a fleece vest.

It has to be reeeeeal bad outside before I'll take rollers/trainer riding over an outdoor ride, and on nice days, when the sun is out and stuff, it's just glorious. The snow is crunchy, the traffic is light, the air is still, the scenery is beautiful, riding in the winter can be a great experience. And you can get a great workout also.

Seek for local spinning class, health club or indoor trainer.

Here weather is not the best but I get to ride outside maybe 1-2 a week.

Good luck!

I'm in southeastern PA and getting a trainer has allowed me to beat the weather constraints. Check the other threads in this training forum. They have good advice on avoiding the boredom of indoor training. Also there are good recommendations for trainers.

Obviously if you are in the Poconos or other more challenging PA climes, I have heard that X-country skiing and skating are the way to go to maintain cycling fitness. Eric Heiden transitioned from being a gold meadalist in speed skating to professional cycling.

I ride in the snow regardless but then again I'm addicted.
But if you're really stuck use rollers and then ride when the snow thins out. Buy some continental tyres for your bike for added grip. This Winter I've just ridden no matter what the weather.

mike7382 said:

Its winter here in Pennsylavnia. Its the worst time of year. I cant get a ride in at all. my cousin tries but it is only a few feet before getting stuck in the snow. I feel like im getting out of shape. I mean doing 1500 miles in a summer is not bad but quitting all of the sudden. Anyway I was wondering what some of u other people do in the winter? I try to get in some rides but they are really not worth it. So can someone help me out here?

mike7382 said:

Its winter here in Pennsylavnia. Its the worst time of year. I cant get a ride in at all. my cousin tries but it is only a few feet before getting stuck in the snow. I feel like im getting out of shape. I mean doing 1500 miles in a summer is not bad but quitting all of the sudden. Anyway I was wondering what some of u other people do in the winter? I try to get in some rides but they are really not worth it. So can someone help me out here?

I haven't ridden outdoors since November 5th, 2004. Probably won't even attempt a ride outside until late April. It's snowing outside right now! I'm a firm believer of indoor trainers.

Edit: Screw cold weather. I'm moving to Florida as soon as it becomes a possiblility.

hampster wheels are ok as a last resort, but I too fell in love with winter cycling this year.. It's just awesome.. started when I got a new full suspension mt bike, then the guys I was riding with rode at night in the fall so i picked up good lights.. then as winter approached I started looking at my old mt bike in a new way.. I put on the fenders, look pedals, lights, and studded tires.. and I am having the time of my life usually in the middle of the night after the kids are asleep... I have a perfect 1mi loop around my development with no stops and I just do laps for an hour at a shot.. anywhere from 9-10mi in the real cold stuff to 14-15mi if and when I can get out during the day when its warmer.. It's an awesome feeling of freedom to know all the people are tucked into their warm living rooms getting heavier while I have the road to myself outside.. in the middle of winter.. no bugs, no pollen,... and as long as no cars come by and kick up the salt dust, clean crisp air!! Embrace the winter... it's all part of the cycle... need a down season to regroup and lay new plans.. and start the metamorphisis all over again from a new base level...