Four season fitness - what weather will you ride in?

[staceysue]

Will you ride when it's windy? If so do you head out into the wind so it's at your back on the way home, or vicey versey?

When it's drizzly?

When it's freezing cold but the roads are dry? What about when the roads are a little slick?

Right after it rains? How about in the summer - will you ride in the rain when it's warm?

Right now it's windy and cold but it's going to be this way for another month yet and skiing doesn't usually get good until after Christmas. . . . .

What do you do for fitness in the winter, and how about during those in-between times (like when it's slushy so you can't cycle or ski - or when it's very cold and windy but there's no snow on the ground?)

[krisl6]

When I first started riding I only rode in dry, not-too-windy weather. But over the years I've aquired a lot of good clothing to go out in all types of weather and now I'll pretty much ride in anything (though I did skip my usual Friday ride last week due to gale force winds..didn't seem very safe to me). I actually really love riding in the rain now..call me crazy!

[tulip]

When I commuted by bike to work, I rode in all weather because I had to get to work. I had studded tires for the rare times when I needed them in the mid-Atlantic.

I made an exception for pouring down rain, but that's because I wear glasses and cannot see when it's pouring down rain. So in those cases, I waited for the bus in the pouring down rain! Argh!

Now that I don't have a commute, I ride when it's nice out...I've become rather soft in that regard. I will ride in the cold, however, down to the mid-20sF. But not rainy or sloppy. And in summer, the heat doesn't keep me off my bike, although I'll time my rides earlier in the day. That's just common sense.

I take spinning classes, Pilates, yoga, and tai-chi. I also have a border collie who demands two hour-long walks every day, rain or shine.

[Cataboo]

I typically won't go out for a ride if it's raining heavy outside - misty rain is okay. Typically in my area, we get thunderstorms - so short heavy rainfalls, so it's usually easy enough to wait till after the rain. I do ride after it rains but I take turns & descents a lot more carefully than I do on a dry road.

I do have warm gear to ride and I'll commute by bike when it's cold out (okay, I have no desire to ride in the snow or an ice storm - around here, I'm more worried with how terribly people drive in those conditions).... But I tend to get a lot less riding in in the winter just because it gets dark so early - so I can't get out as easily for a pleasure ride after work. yes, I could ride in the dark with headlights and such... but I guess I'm just not that hardcore in general. I'm more likely to just put the bike on the trainer once it's dark. And if it's ski season, I usually have an evening lift pass, so I can just run up and ski for the evening instead of riding...

So that means biking in the winter is more weekends only (aside from my short commute ...

[HoosierGiant]

I didn't used to like riding in the wind, but I see it as a challenge now. If it's blowing over 25 mph, I plan an out/back route that minimizes the amount of time I'll have a cross-wind -- put a light-weight weakling on a carbon fiber bike and things can get a little dicey! Road in 41+ mph winds when the remnants of Hurricane Ike moved through Indiana -- a little scary at times, but the tailwind was a blast!

I generally plan routes so I head into the wind at the beginning, but will occasionally do the opposite for a little "suck it up" practice. I like to think of a headwind as just a really long hill. :)

Did a 35-miler just the other day in a drizzle with the temperature at 38 degrees and the wind at 12 mph. In the Cycling Has Made Me Crazy department, I couldn't wait to get out there!

Love to ride in the rain but hate sacrificing the time to detail the bike afterwards, so I don't do it as often as I'd like. Summer rains are the best, but the hail that sometimes accompanies them is not. OUCH! I generally avoid riding directly after a rain -- one time of having to clean a bike/drivetrain that was covered in a mass of wriggling, slimey worm goo was enough for me. :(

DH and I ride year-round, but when the temps drop into the single digits we generally break out the trainers. It's not uncommon for winter rides to include windchills below zero. Yuck! That's just mind-numbing.

Will not ride on roads that are slush/snow-covered, but we did once ride 15 miles on ice when the temps dropped during a ride, and the rain turned to freezing rain. One of the scariest things I've ever done! Fell during that ride because my cleats were actually frozen to my pedals, and I just didn't have the strength to break them loose.

Many times the roads will be clear of snow, but there's so much sand, salt, and grit from the county highway department that we can't take the bikes out on the local roads. Luckily, we live 5 miles from U.S. 40 (the road we use for RAIN -- Ride Across INdiana). The state does an exceptional job of keeping it clear, the high-volume traffic blows the road grime away, and it's black asphalt so it retains heat and dries quickly. When we can't ride here, we load the bikes in the truck, drive into town, and take off from there.

I must admit, however, that it's a struggle to make myself get out there some days. I HATE being cold, and that means anything below 80 degrees for me. I pretty much spend most of the winter with 'bricks' for feet and am still searching for the sock/shoe cover combo that will keep my toes warm for longer than two miles on a winter ride.

[Crankin]

I ride a outdoors in November, especially if it's sunny out. I really don't like riding in temps below 40, but I do. If it's wet forget it... anytime, unless I get caught out there. Strong winds, like 30mph sustained or frequent gusts, no. I am light weight and so is my bike, and there have been times I've been blown into the road! But Novembetr is kind of a transition time for me, until the snow falls. I do a lot of hiking and this year will be running. If it's horribly cold and windy or raining/snowing, I am buying a treadmill for the house. Usually, don't put the bikes on the trainer until December. I do yoga, core, and weights at home, too.
I try to stay outdoors, but use the bike on the trainer 2-3 times a week, run, and add in snow shoeing and x country skiing once it snows. I used to do spin classes, but the trainer has replaced that.
If there's a sunny day in the winter where it's 30 or above and the streets are OK, I'll take my Jamis Coda or mountain bike out on the road for a short ride. But, I actually like the break from riding, so I am ready to start again around March 1st.

[ny biker]

I avoid rain all year long if possible. During the summer I study weather forecasts and radar maps and will rearrange my ride schedule to be out at the times when it's least likely to rain.

In fall, winter and early spring I only ride when temps are above 50 degrees. If it's colder than that, it hurts to breathe and my toes get too cold.

[limewave]

Warm and dry: Road bike
Everything else: Mountain bike!

Although, there are times I decide no to go because I don't feel like putting in the maintenance work after a muddy ride.

Last year I biked in a snowstorm for a race. I thought it would be horrible, but turned out to be a blast. I felt like a kid again! It was so much fun.

I run in all weather, unless its a down-pour. Two years ago I'd take DD (who was 2 at the time) in the jogging stroller. I'd put her in a snow-suit and wrap her in blankets then head out for a run: whether there was an inch of slush on the road, ice, snowing, blowing, raining, whatever . . . we went out. I need that fresh air to keep me sane in the grey winter months.

[lph]

I ride all year round, in all weather excepting thick newfallen snow, but to be honest - if I weren't commuting by bike I'd probably think of a more pleasant, indoor type of exercise on the worst days. Wind I don't mind, cold I don't mind, light rain is fine, heavy rain is bad, rain plus wind is worse, wind and wet falling snow/slush is the worst.

[channlluv]

I'm sorry, but I wouldn't even want to drive in subzero temps, much less ride. Those of you who do are better women than I.

I fully admit and confess that fourteen years living in San Diego has turned me into a total weather weenie. We have two weather patterns here: Perfect (Again) and Fire Season.

Late November through early August the weather is beautiful; some mornings the blanket of marine layer has us snuggled in for what we call May Gray and June Gloom, nut this usually burns off by 10am. Mid-august, though, the Santa Anas kick in- winds from out of the desert- and it can feel like you're walking around with someone firing a heat gun in your face.

I will ride in all but the hottest wind- that of the sub-10% humidity variety. It makes me feel like all the moisture is being baked out of me.

Roxy

[nscrbug]

Will you ride when it's windy? If so do you head out into the wind so it's at your back on the way home, or vicey versey?

Yes, I'll ride when it's windy. Around here, it's kind of hard not to...since it's windy all the time. Sometimes we head out into the wind, but I try not to let the wind dictate the direction I ride in...unless it's a really brutal wind.

When it's drizzly?
Yup, I've done drizzly rides. As long as it's not too chilly, I don't mind a drizzle. Of course, when the drizzle turns into a steady rain...then it begins to suck.


When it's freezing cold but the roads are dry? What about when the roads are a little slick?
The last 2 weekends here, the temps have been in the high 20's to low 30's when we started our rides. I'm a little cold at first, but once we get going and the blood starts pumping...I'm okay. I won't do slick roads at all.


Right after it rains? How about in the summer - will you ride in the rain when it's warm?
I won't start a ride in a full-out rain shower...but I've gotten caught in the rain during a ride. On warms days, it actually feels pretty nice. But wet and cold wouldn't feel so nice.


Right now it's windy and cold but it's going to be this way for another month yet and skiing doesn't usually get good until after Christmas. . . . .

What do you do for fitness in the winter, and how about during those in-between times (like when it's slushy so you can't cycle or ski - or when it's very cold and windy but there's no snow on the ground?)

When we start to get "measurable" snowfall", I'll be at the gym 7 days a week (I'm currently there 5 days a week in addition to my weekend cycling). I run, spin, do other cardio machines, and lift weights...so I have plenty to keep my busy at the gym.

[Lakerider]

I love to ride in a drizzly rain on a hot summer day.

I'd rather not ride in the wind but sometimes I do if that's when I have time to ride.

I haven't ridden in really cold temperatures yet, but I probably will this winter with the right kind of clothes on.

As far as other ways of keeping fit - have you tried "Zumba"? It's Latin dancing - lots of fun and a great workout! I also work out some with weights.

[staceysue]

You are all such an inspiration! I was proud of myself for heading out when it was in the 40s and windy but I've got nothing on you! I XC ski unless the temps are below -20F, but for some reason I always thought of cycling as a fair-weather sport. Not anymore! I am going to be a cycling machine until the roads get slippery!

[shootingstar]

I have changed abit since moving from Toronto where it is colder and has more snow. I did not cycle at all in winter months when there was snow /ice on ground. I had less tolerance to even light rain so did not actively choose to ride in light rain unless I had no choice, ie. as part of a multi-day bike trip.


Will you ride when it's windy? If so do you head out into the wind so it's at your back on the way home, or vicey versey?

In Vancouver, if you are cycling a route that is even over 10 kms., you could easily get the wind head and tail, our streets aren't entirely grid straightforward due to how city has developed around water bodies. I will ride when it is windy up to approx. 35-40 kms. but if it's just a fitness I might choose a shorter route and exercise caution going down long hills (which we do have a number of them.) Of more serious consideration is either avoiding, taking extra care or walking with bike if there are higher speed winds on major bike road bridges. I don't really enjoy cycling when it's windy in the winter. Read further on for my reasons.



When it's drizzly? Yes, on weekend when it's light. And if no choice when there are no other transportation options at time of drizzle during a work-commute.

When it's freezing cold but the roads are dry? What about when the roads are a little slick? Yes, I will cycle at freezing cold or a tiny bit less. Not much more. There is the ongoing danger of black ice... When roads are slick...only at the side of roads and bike is short/is partially protected from cars or low volume traffic. It's a judgement call. It makes it easier if the cycling is done in daylight. It helps if I know several hrs. during the day, sun will burn off the slickness. Harder to gauge black ice at night. I also do not trust Vancouver drivers, many don't know how to deal with ice and snow. Sounds wierd but not all local drivers drive regularily in the mountains where there is snow nor do they have the proper tires. Due to our lack of snow on mainland vs. mountains, not all local drivers get trained how drive safely in snow and ice. Very different from other parts of snowier Canada.

Right after it rains? Absolutely yes. Doesn't matter how wet/dirty i get, I have fenders and wet clothing gear. Vancouverites rejoice any minute or second post-rain.

How about in the summer - will you ride in the rain when it's warm? Yes, but only a light rain.

Right now it's windy and cold but it's going to be this way for another month yet and skiing doesn't usually get good until after Christmas. . . . .

What do you do for fitness in the winter, and how about during those in-between times (like when it's slushy so you can't cycle or ski - or when it's very cold and windy but there's no snow on the ground?) I don't cycle when it's very cold or very windy on certain wintery days. We only go snowshoeing in mountains several times per year (if we organize ourselves properly). Otherwise it's just stretching, etc. exercises at home. Could improve in this area. At minimum, during winter, I try to cycle each day on weekends.