winter's a-comin'

I would definitely recommend cross country skiing. There are good trails in several places in Wisconsin. I went to Kettle Moraine park when I lived in Madison and they have a lot of prepared trails. Shouldn't be too far from Milwaukee either if I remember correctly.

I of course also rode my bike year round when I lived in WI and in IL and in Norway so I don't see snow as a reason to stop riding, but I can understand people being a bit more cautious about it. If you want to keep riding, but worry about the ice, get studded tyres for your bike.

Another option that I really enjoy is ice skating. I know there is at least one good rink in Milwaukee if that is where you live, and probably many other places in WI too. Or if you find a frozen lake, that will work too.

This will be my first autumn and winter riding and I am very much looking forward to it. I do not have any Spinervals or winter clothing-yet. My section of the state does not get much snow. In previous years this bothered me as I missed the snow terribly, but now it will work in my favor and allow me to bike. :)

My commute-to-work-by-bike days are already over for the season, driven by the shrinking daylight as opposed to the cold and ice.

I try to ride year-round, but my riding in the winter months is limited to the weekends. I hate trashing my bike with sand and salt, so in addition to limiting my riding to the weekends, I look for dry days. I ride down into the mid-20s (brrr!), but on days that cold I'm pretty much limited to an hour on the road. My hands and feet just get too cold. Still, it feels good to be on a bike on the road, even for a short jaunt.

My (cardio) exercise in the off season is a combination of walking outside, and using gym equipment (my current choices there are an elliptical trainer and a treadmill). I used to set my bike up on a trainer at home, but within the last couple of years I realized how much I hated that, so I stopped using the trainer. I'd rather not end the off season with no desire to be on my bike!

--- Denise

I go to spin class, snow shoe, and x country ski. Last winter there was not much snow, so I did a lot of hiking on the trails in local conservation areas. If it's 40 or above I try to get on my bike for an hour. We mountain bike down to about 25, if the trails aren't icy/wet.

Robyn

First winter here in the mountains...everybody says you can ride year-'round SOOOOO we stocked up on winter sales last year and hopefully we will be able to ride thru the winter!!! I am stoked to ride in the snow (mtb)...

I LOVE SEASONS!!!!!!! Always something new...woooohoooo....

I hike (on snowshoes) and xc ski in the winter. I've never been consistent about indoor exercise, so I really need to get outside. But the hiking and skiing are never as consistent as the bike commute and mostly limited to weekends. I do have a ski/hiking trail in conservation land that leaves from my back door, so I can take a spin on the skis before work if the snow is good. Otherwise it's driving to the mountain on weekends.

I usually lift weights and do cardio on an elliptical trainer - hoping this year to ride for most of the winter.... I'm such a cold weather wimp...

OK, so I'm totally clueless about "spinning" and here are my questions:

WHERE does one typically look for "spin classes" to be held? I live in a rural area but there are scattered gyms and a Curves here, nothing much.
What are spin classes like? What is the typical regime?
What is a "spinerval"?
Do you need any special gear for spinning?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bicyclette

I usually lift weights and do cardio on an elliptical trainer - hoping this year to ride for most of the winter.... I'm such a cold weather wimp...

---

this is what I do also plus add in swimming (laps) and yoga. I feel it really helps my core and upper body strength that has gone a little by the wayside during cycling season.

I too am planning on adding x-country skiing to the itinerary. The Wednesday night club riders switch over to weekend cross country skiing outtings and I found a couple of other cyclists who x-country ski (AND own a lake cabin)

the main reason I don't ride in the winter besides the ice is I HATE riding in the cold almost as much as in the wind (but I CAN ski when it is -15F :confused: )

Skiing (DH) for me.

I'm feeling alternately smug and jealous that The Boy got a 6 month transfer to Colorado during ski season.

Smug because that means I'll be visiting at least on a monthly basis and jealous because he gets PAID to live about 1.5 hours outside a bunch of major Western resorts. Punk.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lisa S.H.

OK, so I'm totally clueless about "spinning" and here are my questions:

WHERE does one typically look for "spin classes" to be held? I live in a rural area but there are scattered gyms and a Curves here, nothing much.
What are spin classes like? What is the typical regime?
What is a "spinerval"?
Do you need any special gear for spinning?

---

hi Lisa,

I take a Spin Class at our local YMCA. It's an aerobic class on stationary bikes that usually lasts 45 min to an hour. Curves will not have a spin class. But, you could call around to your other local gyms to see if they have classes.

Spinervals, I think, are workout tapes or DVD's for riding on your trainer indoors. We used to host our own "spinerval" session in our basement to MST3K--everyone brought their own bike and trainer.

~Heather

This winter, I plan on doing some winter riding but mainly just riding indoors on the trainer.

Our shop will host a number of trainer nights to keep people on the bike. We're getting a TV, and will play different spinerval DVDs or watch TV (depending on the night) and ride at the store after hours. A lot of shops do that in this area. It could be something worth checking out in your area. Like any other group ride, it's free, you just need to bring your own equipment (bike, trainer, and mat).

It's much more motivation and fun when you ride with people, instead of alone in the basement

This winter, I plan on doing some winter riding but mainly just riding indoors on the trainer.

Our shop will host a number of trainer nights to keep people on the bike. We're getting a TV, and will play different spinerval DVDs or watch TV (depending on the night) and ride at the store after hours. A lot of shops do that in this area. It could be something worth checking out in your area. Like any other group ride, it's free, you just need to bring your own equipment (bike, trainer, and mat).

It's much more motivating and fun when you ride with people, instead of alone in the basement

great ideas everyone!
I am already looking and skis and snowshoes online to gage what prices will be like...not too bad actually....

My husband and I I xc-ski too. However, you do have to be careful - first we had old skis, the sort that you can use in the park and not worry about scratching, then we decided to enter a citizens race. Obviously if you race then you need new skis....and wax.....and a racing suit.....and then stiffer poles because the first ones were too soft......and a water bottle belt........I think you can see where this is leading!

Enjoy,
Bron