Winter Projects

[Lifesgreat]

For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, winter is on the horizon :mad:
Do you have a bicycle-related project you are going to work on while the snow flies (supposedly this weekend here in Utah)?

I have a 1978 Raleigh Grand Prix 10 speed I want to renovate. I got it when I was 14 years old and have been the only owner. The seat and pedals are the only things that are not original (meaning bar tape and tires are original too). I love its lugs. . . Overall, the paint is in pretty good shape, but I may paint it a different color. I am looking forward to learning to do something new.

Another winter project is to lose about 35 lbs so when spring comes, the distance between me and AuntieK and Sulis will be less. Never ridden with Yellow, but I understand she will be so far ahead of me no amount of weight loss will help :rolleyes:

I am also going to learn to snowshoe as that is what my bike club does during the "off-season".

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, winter is on the horizon :mad:
Do you have a bicycle-related project you are going to work on while the snow flies (supposedly this weekend here in Utah)?....
.....I am also going to learn to snowshoe as that is what my bike club does during the "off-season".

Hi Lifesgreat,
Last winter I started snowshoeing, and in fact I started a whole thread on snowshoeing here on the forums:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=12727&highlight=snowshoe
You may find some good info there, and I hope to continue the thread this winter too. :) Feel free to post there specifically concerning snowshoeing.

I absolutely LOVED snowshoeing last winter. I shoed through town (before the plows and shovelers came through) and I shoed through a trail near ius in the woods, and once I drove and met a girlfriend in a nature reserve where we shoed over windy fields and around ponds.
Shoeing over fresh snow with no trail yet is a HUGE workout for your heart and legs.

I "might" order a custom bike this winter...so that would keep me plenty busy too- worrying about and planning all the details. :o

Losing 35 lbs is a BIG goal. I find it really hard to lose weight in winter- i get to craving fats and hearty food too much. My appetite is less when it's hot out. Good luck with that!

[annie]

Well, this is kinda bicycle-related and fun to do during the cold season. I make bike-themed necklaces out of Sculpey clay. I used to just make them for the enjoyment of creating them and to give them to friends. Now I've got orders to fill from this summer and need to get caught up! So that will keep me somewhat busy on the cold and dark nights of winter.

I'll still be on my bike whenever possible!

Annie

[boy in a kilt]

Part of my job at work is Erosion Control so six and seven day weeks will be the norm for the next several months.

I just want to maintain what I have this winter. Maybe drop 20 pounds.

And I want to ride in at least one rain storm where it's raining so hard I can hear the drops pinging off my top tube.

Maybe get a little snowshoeing in or try cross country skiing. I haven't been on my snowshoes in three years. I haven't even managed to go skiing in three or four years.

[Zen]

I'll be back on the spin class circuit. There's a class at a bike shop where they ride trainers instead of spin bikes, I'd like to try that.

My first decent bike was a Raleigh Record, probably bought it around 1973. I wish I still had it, I remember it fondly.

[annie]

I'll be back on the spin class circuit. There's a class at a bike shop where they ride trainers instead of spin bikes, I'd like to try that.


I did that for a few years, till the bike shop quit doing the classes. :( I liked it because it was on MY bike, not a spin bike, and it was with other people, instead of a trainer alone in my basement. Much more inspiring. I've occasionally invited friends to bring their trainers and bikes to my house for spin sessions, but I guess it was too much of a hassle, 'cause it never happened very often.

Annie

[yellow]

LG, when you start working on that Raleigh, I found the BEST shop for hleping with old bike renovation projects...Saturday Cycles in Bountiful. A little far for you, but totally worth the trip when you figure out what you want to do and what you need. I've been working with them to modify my *new* 1976 Bob Jackson and they have been awesome to work with. I will go back to them in a heartbeat. They have many, many beautiful bikes there, all (or the vast majority) of them steel.

Catch is, they are only open on....Saturdays (hence the name). Or by appointment. :p

My goal this winter is to get rid of a couple of bikes (so that I can fit in a new cyclocross bike, which will likely be purchased from...Saturday Cycles)!

P.S. I'm working on becoming a couch potato, so you may eat your words, missy!

[teawoman]

My bike club cross country skis in the winter, so I am gonna try that. I'm also going to go do some spinning/trainer work with a tri club and maybe go to a workshop in the Spring.

[Bron]

All of our bikes need a good old clean. I also have my early eighties peugeot racing bike which I want to restore to its original condition (if I can work out what that was, I bought it second hand). I haven't ridden it since I got my bianchi. I think this is going to take longer than one winter.

DH and I are already planning which cross-country ski races to compete in. Maybe the Engadine ski marathon.

[Susan126]

Hi Lifesgreat,
Last winter I started snowshoeing, and in fact I started a whole thread on snowshoeing here on the forums:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=12727&highlight=snowshoe
You may find some good info there, and I hope to continue the thread this winter too. :) Feel free to post there specifically concerning snowshoeing.

I absolutely LOVED snowshoeing last winter. I shoed through town (before the plows and shovelers came through) and I shoed through a trail near ius in the woods, and once I drove and met a girlfriend in a nature reserve where we shoed over windy fields and around ponds.
Shoeing over fresh snow with no trail yet is a HUGE workout for your heart and legs.

I "might" order a custom bike this winter...so that would keep me plenty busy too- worrying about and planning all the details. :o

Losing 35 lbs is a BIG goal. I find it really hard to lose weight in winter- i get to craving fats and hearty food too much. My appetite is less when it's hot out. Good luck with that!

Hey thanks for the snowshoeing link Lisa! I never realized there was one! I too snowshoe during the winter months. Joe and I LOVE it!

Snowshoeing Pictures (http://home.comcast.net/~krezes/snowshoeing.htm)

and we also love to mountain bike through the winter months. I also go to the gym a lot during the winter. Last year I was pretty lame and did not do my usual winter activities and it showed in the spring when I started riding again. This year I hope to keep on track and keep active through the winter to keep my conditioning! :D

Also, my hubby breaks down all of our bikes (all seven) and completely over hauls them. He does this twice a year; in the spring and in late autumn early winter. It's something to watch. I think he loves working on bikes as much if not more than riding them!

Yea, we have snow here in the cascade mountains already! An early winter or a freakish storm? :confused:

Main thing . . . keep active, be safe, have fun this winter, and look forward to a great spring summer 2008!

Anyone have any big rides planned for 2008?

[Tuckervill]

A 1983 Centurion Elite GT touring bike. It's in really good condition and all I really need to do to it is upgrade the brake levers, grease the moving parts, and get a little superficial rust off. :)

Karen

[SouthernBelle]

My plans include going back to the gym, riding on the trainer, riding outdoors when the weather is half way decent, and prettying up my new trailer.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Hey thanks for the snowshoeing link Lisa! I never realized there was one! I too snowshoe during the winter months. Joe and I LOVE it!

Snowshoeing Pictures (http://home.comcast.net/~krezes/snowshoeing.htm)

I look forward to hearing about your snowshoeing adventures on the snowshoe thread this winter. Those are INCREDIBLE BEAUTIFUL pictures!!! :) :) :)
What is that bird?? Where on earth do you live? Those snow covered trees and mountains are incredible. :eek: :D YOu must have long winters there?

As we speak my DH is outside with one of his bikes all taken apart, cleaning around the brake parts with Q-tips. He too loves working on his bikes. ...Sure is nice to have a good looking bike mechanic in the house, that's for sure! :p

[East Hill]

Gray Jay! Or, Whiskyjack or Camp Robber.

We live in the beautiful PNW, so I would suspect that Susan and Joe snowshoe somewhere around this:

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k317/East_Hill/IMG_1507.jpg

Mount Rainier, in alpengow.

East Hill

[roadie gal]

I'll be on the trainer in the loft. I'm hoping to talk myself into getting on it twice a week.

Snowshoeing is the best! That's what we do all winter to exercise the dogs (and us).

[onimity]

I'm packing up my bike and going to the southern hemisphere! (touring in Patagonia...it will still be cold!)

Actually, the weather in Colorado is good for cycling year-round assuming that we don't have big snow storms like last year.

Beautiful snowshoeing pictures!

Anne

[short cut sally]

My winter goal..ride outdoors if possible depending on road conditions. I usually x-country ski, walk on the treadmill or do the eliptical. I would love to learn to snowshoe. Actually thinking about it. I think I could get more use out of them than the ski's. My Thursday riding partner is thinking about snowshoes also, so maybe we will venture together. No bike restorations here. Not mechanically inclined at all. I can clean my bike and that's it. The bike shop does everything else. My personal goal is lose 10#'s over the winter..but that's a challenge in itself.

[Trek420]

Winter bike project? I'll be remodeling the condo. :o

[crazycanuck]

Heee heee...winter's on it's way..heeee.:p

Snowshoeing :) x-country skiing :)

C

[Bklynmom]

My winter sport will be running on the treadmill in the gym and lifting weights - got to get some serious power in those legs for the Spring. I am hoping the running will help the aerobic fitness and help continue the weight loss too.

I plan on getting winter biking gear, but I am skipping hard core winter riding -- too much of a princess, I hate being cold and stiff:).

Anyone actually try those places where you put your bike on the trainer and they have a DVD of a ride? There's a new one near us, and I figure once a week on that for December through March would help keep the bike brain and body going. Spinning too, which comes with the Y membership we pay for anyway.

[northstar]

Hopefully getting the road bike up on a trainer...continuing to run...

But I think I'm going to give Nordic Skiing a whirl this year. We have two golf courses within three miles of our house and they both groom trails. I really enjoy being outdoors in the winter, but haven't gotten into any specific activity (other than snowmobiling when I was a kid...not an option anymore!).

Snowshoeing sounds intriguing too...might have to try both before I start acquiring equipment...

I'm depressed thinking that autumn will be so fleeting, but my Norwegian blood loves snappy winter air and snow. Can't help but look forward to it...

[sulis]

LG, when you start working on that Raleigh, I found the BEST shop for hleping with old bike renovation projects...Saturday Cycles in Bountiful. A

P.S. I'm working on becoming a couch potato, so you may eat your words, missy!


I loooove Saturday Cycles. That is where I purchased my Bianchi. I 2nd thats its worth the drive. The owner obviously loves bikes...thats why he has the shop. He works full time and the shop is his hobby.

Yellow, a couch potato. Yah right! We all know that as soon as the powder is deep enough you'll be the first one out there. :p Good one...he he he...nice try though.

As for winter plans, I am going to be taking some time off the bike. I haven't ridden in two weeks - since Heber Valley Century. I'll be fighting like crazy not to balloon over the impending holidays (they should rename the period from Oct through Dec as the food-days). I also plan to try out more classes at the gyms other than spinning. Once the snow falls I will be snow shoeing and hope to learn how to skate ski.

[7rider]

I've snowshoed a few times on rented 'shoes in Colorado and had a fun time (one was a full-moon 'shoe, which was really cool). But, alas, there just isn't enough snow in Maryland to justify them. However, I do get to use my cross-country skis every so often - primarily after a biggish storm when the plows don't show up in my neighborhood (which is usual).

But I hope/plan to ride through the winter - commuting and fitness - barring poor road conditions and weather. And when it gets bad, well, then the rollers get unfolded from their corner.

DH and I will also be pulling up carpets and exposing the hardwood floors in our house this season.

[indigoiis]

Winter hiking, cuz with global warming, there just isn't enough snow around these parts anymore to warrant snowshoes.
(Watch it snow like mad this winter after saying that.)

[ibcycling]

Annie - We need to see pictures of those necklaces!

This will be my first winter here so I'm not entirely sure what to expect. I do know it will be warmer than Nebraska so I'm hoping to ride as much as I can. I've only had my new bike 2 weeks, can't stop now. :D Cold doesn't bother me too much and it sounds like a few members of my club ride through the winter.

I've got a horsie that needs some training and lots of miles. I've got to work with him so I can go trail riding and to clinics with my daughter next year.

Lora

[GLC1968]

I'll be riding through the winter since in the three years I've been here, I haven't seen snow yet!

My 'project' is myself. I need to drop about 25 lbs, get my core and upperbody back into shape, and improve my overall diet (in general). I also plan on doing my first Tri next summer, so I need to start running again. I've got lousy feet, so it takes me FOREVER to build up the miles without pain...I need to start NOW. :rolleyes:

I'd be intersted in seeing Annie's necklaces, too! I make beaded jewlery and I just placed an order for a bunch of sterling bicycle charms to work with...I can't wait to get started. It's been SO long since I've had time to bead like I'd like to. :)

[Geonz]

Working on making riding in winter work rather than breaking down and replacing the car :-)
Getting storm doors? (mebbe this weekend...) and taking "ownership" of my own house? (painting the walls my colors? actually putting things on the walls?)

[Eden]

And I want to ride in at least one rain storm where it's raining so hard I can hear the drops pinging off my top tube.


hmmmm trust me its over rated.... (not so bad if you live out east and that kind of rain happens in the summer when its hot, but out here brrrrrrrrrrr, been there, done that, will be stuck doing it again this winter, sigh.....) oh - and hail HURTS!

I think I'd like to finish up our upstairs bedroom this winter. We'll see. I'll actually be training more this winter, since I upgraded at the end of the race year.

[Susan126]

Gray Jay! Or, Whiskyjack or Camp Robber.

We live in the beautiful PNW, so I would suspect that Susan and Joe snowshoe somewhere around this:

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k317/East_Hill/IMG_1507.jpg

Mount Rainier, in alpengow.

East Hill

Ding ding ding ding . . . give East Hill a cigar . . . errrrr . . . a latte! :D She hit the nail on the head. Yep, Joe and I snowshoe on Mount Rainier. Those pictures were taken the day we drove to Narada Falls Parking lot and started from there. It was a glorious day as you can see! Beautiful. I know those birds as camp robbers. I don't know their real names. They are little beggers! LOL Always looking for a handout and very bold! At least in the winter and on that day! We had sat down for lunch and they showed up!

By the way . . . beautiful picture East Hill! Did you take it?

[Beane]

hopefully, my winter activities will include learning how to skijor, riding on a trainer, and perhaps a downhill ski trip or two.

[Mr. Bloom]

I'm joining the "Y" and going to work on core muscle groups. Silver and I suffer from SAD and struggle through January, so I want to be in good shape before we get depressed!

[sundial]

Like the Silvers, I suffer from SAD too and I hope I can cycle through most of the winter. Late January through February are the coldest months here and we *usually* don't have snow.

I wonder what the Farmer's Almanac is predicting. Hmmmm. :rolleyes:

[quint41]

1) Get on the trainer and get back to the gym.
2) Upgrade shifters.
3) Upgrade wheels.
4) Lose 10 lbs.
5) Come out of the chute like a thoroughbred next spring!

[Pax]

Since I live in a state of perpetual hot flash and this summer was back-side-of-the-sun hot here in Central IL AND my allergies were just rotten, I plan to ride this winter. I'm layering up and heading out! :D

[DirtDiva]

I'm so with Krazee on this one... :p


And I want to ride in at least one rain storm where it's raining so hard I can hear the drops pinging off my top tube.
Believe me, you won't hear a thing over the sound of it drumming on your helmet!


...oh - and hail HURTS!
And leaves bruises. (I so wish I'd taken a photo to prove it. :D)

[ChickWithBrains]

1. Wind trainer. The traditional love-hate activity of our living room in the winter.

2. Cross country skiing!

3. Core/abs.

4. Massive cold weather outside warm weather inside SNUGGLING.