winter training

[shewhobikes]

I'm a newbie and very interested in what everyone is doing when they can't/won't ride outside, or in the interim between rides.

For me it's spin classes 3 or 4 times a week and weights 2 or 3 times.

My goals at almost 49 are to slim down a few pounds (aren't we all?:) ), improve fitness and endurance/strength for what I hope will be a fun spring/summer of group rides and exploring mountain trails nearby.

I'd love to hear what your routine is!

[caligurl]

i was actually into aerobics (step and hi/lo) and lifting weights before i became a cyclists... so i've never given that up... even in the summer! just have to watch which workouts i do when the weekends and looooong rides are coming up!

i absolutely hate the trainer and will make every excuse in the book not to use it! :rolleyes: however we do have spinervals and the 5 CTS workouts and i've ridden while watching my taped soaps!

i'm fortunate enought to live in cali where i can still ride weekends outside!

[nuthatch]

I'm still biking exclusively but I'm starting to feel the need to do something else for my top half, which is weak and puny. Don't ask me to wash windows!

I do try to ride six days a week (60 to 80 miles) but I've noticed that my cardio health doesn't carry over to other pursuits, i.e. I can run across a parking lot and be winded before I reach the store even though I can ride for 30 miles without a problem. Time to diversify!

[CorsairMac]

I'm another lucky one - I live in the southwest and the winter weather just hasn't been bad enough to stop me. I ride 5 days a week to work, weekends when I can, hike the mountains, run the dogs and lift weights for my upper body plus abs/back. I have never tried a spin class - it just hasn't been cold enough to force me to stop riding a real bike!

[kpc]

I get on the trainer before work a coupla times a week. And go to the gym and use the elliptical machine or treadmill three times a week. And lift light weights once a week and yoga once a week. I try to do something, even if not much, each day, mainly for my mental health. When it's really cold like this (yes, I can hear New Englanders snickering) I don't enjoy going out.

[DeniseGoldberg]

I'd much rather be outside on my bike - but it's much too cold for me these days, to say nothing about the lack of daylight. Most winters I ride my bike on a trainer, but that's just not working for me this year. My exercise during the week is a combination of using an elliptical trainer at the gym, and walking outside. By walking, I mean at a fast pace - not strolling. I try to get some biking in on the weekends during the winter - but I have to admit last weekend was too cold for me. Bummer... I can get myself outside on the bike if the temps are in the 30s (fahrenheit) or above, but the teens and 20s are a bit too cold for me. I can walk outside in that temperature, but biking just seems to generate too much of a wind chill.

I also use a FitBall and some hand weights on a regular basis. I used to go to a Pilates class several times a week, but the class morphed into more of a Yoga class - and it's the Pilates that I like. So I do some of that on my own too.

[pedalfaster]

XC ski babyyyyyyyyy!

Love the snow. It's a great workout.

I also run 4-6x per week and swim whenever I'm tossed in a pool.

I avoid the trainer like the plague....

[Veronica]

What do you wear when you run in the cold?

V.

[pedalfaster]

Luckily, most cold-weather cycling gear also works well as cold-weather running gear( and xc ski wear).

High 20s to high 30s I usually wear thin tights, a sleeveless base layer (e.g. UnDeeshirt), long sleeved base layer, windfront vest, magic-finger gloves, wool socks and a fleece earband.

When the temps drop below low 20s and/or there is severe wind-chill and/or precipitation I'll wear: heaver tights, a second ls base layer, full shell, mittens (wool socks work in a pinch) and either a full ski hat/neck gaiter combo or a balaclava.

I really like my short, waterproof gaiters from xc skiing when I run in deep snow. It's nice to have warm DRY socks!

I find that my trail-running shoes provide more grip on slick surfaces. They also provide more protection from the elements (not as much mesh). I bought my last pair 1/2 size larger so that I can wear nice thick wool socks.

Oh and if you have easy access to trails, I'd much much rather run in the woods in the winter. Great wind protection.

[Veronica]

Thanks for the motivation, our morning have been too chilly, or so I thought, for running. But, I need to get out.

V.

[DeniseGoldberg]

Originally posted by pedalfaster
XC ski babyyyyyyyyy!

Love the snow. It's a great workout.

pedalfaster -
Now you're making me jealous. I used to do a fair amount of cross-country skiing, but I haven't in a long time. Why? Because I can't wander out of my house and put in an hour or two of skiing. It would be so nice to live somewhere near a groomed track with consistent snow so I could make xc skiing a part of my daily routine instead of making it a weekend trek. (Oh, you're right, my job is here...)

Hmmm... every time winter rolls around I start thinking about a dream place to live. That dream place is somewhere that I can happily ride all year round (on dry roads, yes - I am picky!) and now I realize I could compromise a bit on that if I could ski out my door!

Yep, I'm dreaming... but thanks for helping me dream!
--- Denise

[DeniseGoldberg]

Originally posted by Veronica
What do you wear when you run in the cold?

V.

Veronica -
I just bought an awesome pair of tights for my fast walking in the cold weather, and I'm sure they would be equally good for running. They are from REI, and they are made out of Polartec Power Stretch. Comfy and just right from a temperature standpoint

You should be able to find them by searching the REI site (http://www.rei.com) for
REI Power Stretch Tights - Women's

--- Denise

[emily_in_nc]

I do Spinervals videos on the trainer 3-4x a week, plus hit the gym 3x a week for light weight training (upper and lower body) and occasional elliptical or treadmill time. I ride outside when I can, but am pretty wimpy - temp has to be at least mid-upper 40s and sunny before I'll even consider riding outside. Haven't had much of that in NC lately but maybe by next weekend, sez the Weather Channel!

Emily

[CorsairMac]

Hmmm Denise: sounds like you need to retire to Albuquerque. Its high desert so it stays very dry - as a rule - year round. The temps aren't too cold in the winter so you can pretty much ride year round, and if you want to go XC skiing - just ride the tram right here in town to the top of the mountain (11,000) where there are downhill and XC routes at the Sandia Ski Resort. In the summer when the snow has melted - there are hiking trials all over the mountain, and MTB trails.

[shewhobikes]

Let's ALL retire to New Mexico! So pretty.

I feel like a real weenie hearing about people riding, walking, etc., in the 30s and below. Maybe it's just my Alabama blood that's too thin!

So what are these Spinerval videos y'all are talking about? I'm guessing an exercise tape that you watch while on a stationary bike?

[JanT]

Yes, will everybody please move to New Mexico? Arizona is getting way too crowded.

[spazzdog]

Corsair, its time to open that commune for grrl cyclists.

I'll get to work on a house design, you find the land.

We'll all pitch in $$ from selling everything but our beds, bikes and cars and move there.

spazz

[emily_in_nc]

Originally posted by shewhobikes
So what are these Spinerval videos y'all are talking about? I'm guessing an exercise tape that you watch while on a stationary bike?

Yes, basically. They are structured like "spin" classes, I guess (having never taken an actual spin class). "Coach Troy" takes a group of cyclists riding bikes on trainers through various intervals, out of saddle, super-spin sets, tempo sets, etc. There are many different videos and even more DVDS (new ones are only available in DVD format). They are really great workouts! They range from 45 minutes on up to one killer 2-hour one I have called "Have Mercy" (no kidding!!)

Check out www.spinervals.com. You can also buy them at places like Performance, Nashbar, etc and your LBS may have some too.

Emily
(no affilation with the company, just a customer)

[Trek420]

winter training I tend to spend more time at the dojo (Aikido) but it is situated on a major route that people bike on so as the days get longer I've been told it's dissrespectful to whine when I'm on the mat and see bike riders go by.

I also have a cycleops, no tapes, I just sprint during the ads. d*** there are a lot of ads.

[RoadRaven]

Well... apart from cycling (on the road or on a trainer...) I do aerobics and tai chi

I also work in a multistory building - does runnning up the stairs count? (I usually take the elevator down to save my knees)

[CorsairMac]

walk downstairs backwards! and no I'm not kidding. actually try walking Upstairs backwards too......talk about a workout!

corsair "geez I can't type today" mac

[RoadRaven]

Hey there Corsair... I walked backwards down the stairs every time yesterday (holding on tight to the rail - was worried I'd lose balance)... no knee pain! WooHoo!

BUT... I had to explain to several people that I wasn't crazy!!!

[bikerINco]

skate skiing was the best thing i found this past winter. for those of you how don't know what it is...it's kind of like cross country skiing, except the skis are a bit shorter and the motion is more like rollarblading.

it's a great whole body workout and it's also very aerobic. i found that it was much easier to get on my bike when the spring came around. My lungs didn't hurt as bad either. has anyone else tried it?