What have you done instead of riding your bike?

It is a whopping -5 here.

Last week I cleaned the oven.

Last night I cleaned the knobs on the oven, the burner pans, and that creepy place under the stove top that collects water from over boiled noodles.

Today I shampooed my carpets.

All the while thinking, if it was warm out, I would live happily with a grease infested oven and grimy carpets while I rode my bike.

Tree Up - check
Presents Purchased - check
Presents Wrapped - check
Christmas Cards Mailed - check
Cookies baked and in the freezer - check
Christmas Candy Made- Saturday with the girlfriends

Work Medicaid Billing done - check
Appointments scheduled - check


What do you do to pass the time??????
Will this winter ever end??????

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Originally Posted by Flybye

What do you do to pass the time??????
Will this winter ever end??????

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Why, the winter has hardly begun!!!! :eek:

Having a house full of in-laws this coming weekend makes it "easy" to stay home on icky days to dust, vacuum, do laundry, and the like. Oh...and the tree is up and the lights are up and most of the holiday doo-dads are out of their boxes and scattered about in an attempt to balance "festive" and "kitchy".

As long as hideous weather is rain or ice, and not snow, I intend to become much better on rollers this winter.
If we get some real snow, or cold with no rain, we'll be heading for the mountains - or hills, in the case of MD - to go skiing.

Pass the time? Oh, if only I had more time to pass!
Aside from my regular day job work.... DH and I play music with friends, or play music for community events. I do most of our shopping, cooking, and cleaning. I do some writing on occasion, and interact a great deal with friends and fellow village dwellers. I garden a little.
When the weather is too cold, snowy, or sleety to bike, I either go fitness walking or snowshoeing.
I had to put aside my knitting, which I used to enjoy a great deal, because I just don't have enough time to do it all since I took up biking and fitness walking.
Perhaps some volunteer work in the community would be something to do if anyone has extra time? Animal shelters, nursing homes, hospices, food pantries, schools, adult education programs, churches, meals on wheels, all these places are struggling and would be thrilled to get a few precious hours of help from a willing soul. :)

Instead of biking? Oh, I've been shoveling snow :( and more snow :( and then more snow :( Building up strong arms and back. Looking out the window at great big lake effect-sized flakes...I'll be out for a second and maybe third time today.

Will winter ever end? Nope...got a nice new bike designed for riding on clear, winter roads (wet, but snowless) and the roads haven't been clear since it came home. And, spring will never come....the shop is slowing building up a new Waterford that can't be ridden until late spring. So, no, I don't think the winter will end :rolleyes:

But spare time? Nope. I know of no such thing.

gosh, Thorn, where do YOU live?
I've been doing more watercolors, socializing kittens, and catching up on household stuff.
I'm also going to a spin class 2-3 times a week, which beats riding on a trainer in the basement.

Riding the trainer.

Our weekly women's ride has switched over to a weekly hiking group. A few more inches of snow and we'll be a snow shoeing/cross country ski group.

And I signed up for a yoga class :)

I live in Wisconsin, Mimi (20 minutes from Waterford)...right now the standing joke is "well, it didn't snow yesterday so today we'll have snow". Can't complain too much--at least we haven't gotten any 12" dumps of snow, but we get enough about every other day that the roads are not getting down to pavement except in the drive lanes. And, it is enough you have to shovel.

We've been in our house for about 15 years...this is looking like it is going to beat out our snowiest winter. Most people don't remember trivial details like that, but since I refuse to buy a snow blower, I can pretty much tell you how deep the drifts at the edges of the driveway were each year. I'm surprised how tall they are given that our biggest single snow fall this year was only 4-5".

Riding on the trainer. Jogging outside. Begging my DH for snowshoes for Xmas.

Oh, and eating a lot. :(

wow, Thorn, according to this map, Wisconsin is the snowiest state!


http://www.wunderground.com/US/Region/US/SnowDepth.html

Becoming more and more inactive as the days go on. I hate it. It's my own fault. I procrastinate awful. I eat more. I get lazier and lazier. My clothes are getting tighter. I've bailed out on trying to lose weight, And this is just the beginning of winter. I've decorated though, haven't done that in a couple of years. Have decorated the tree now twice-(have posted a thread about my cat and the destruction of my tree, he's managed to do that another time)! I can't bring myself to ride that stationary bike that I thought was really great up until I realized what a bike should fit like, and I don't have a trainer or rollers. It indeed is going to be a long winter. I wish we would get some snow so at least I could x-c ski or something. Nothing but rain or sleet or ice. YUCK.

The riding is taking longer - studded tires and the caution in our yuck (which isn't *that* yukky - we've dodged the worst of it) - but I'm still cycling. That's how I get to work.

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Originally Posted by shellyj

Becoming more and more inactive as the days go on. I hate it. It's my own fault. I procrastinate awful. I eat more. I get lazier and lazier. My clothes are getting tighter. I've bailed out on trying to lose weight, And this is just the beginning of winter. I've decorated though, haven't done that in a couple of years. Have decorated the tree now twice-(have posted a thread about my cat and the destruction of my tree, he's managed to do that another time)! I can't bring myself to ride that stationary bike that I thought was really great up until I realized what a bike should fit like, and I don't have a trainer or rollers. It indeed is going to be a long winter. I wish we would get some snow so at least I could x-c ski or something. Nothing but rain or sleet or ice. YUCK.

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Shelly, If i lived closer to you I would take you on my 3 mile brisk walk around the town where I live. Even when it's cold and grey and drizzly, I'll bundle up and get my lazy butt out of the house and go for a walk. Do you have any friends or acquaintances that you could set up walking dates with? It's very motivating and fun to have someone to walk with. :)

Been off the bike since a little accident on 9/26, but I am getting better. Starting outpatient therapy tomorrow! Finally out of the house every so often. Can't wait to be able to get my leg over the bar and get on the trainer in a couple of months. Enjoy each day you have, it is all that we are guaranteed.

Pass the time? Wow, I wish that was the issue!

Right now instead of riding, I'm mostly doing the gym. These days, mostly cardio circuits...15 minutes each on the bike, elliptical, cross trainer, and rowing machine...as many circuits as needed for the scheduled time frame. Also abs & back, which helped a LOT last year.

Unfortunately, I don't currently have a 4WD, or I would be up snowshoeing and X-country skiing a lot more.

I'm liking riding in the cold..layers of wool and a wind cutting jacket, a buff, gloves and I'm happy. I take my big dog trotting for about a mile a day on the bike and I walk her 2 miles a day. AM and PM.
She's my personal trainer.:p

Of course I do live in a rather temperate zone. 30-45 degrees, overcast, drizzle or flurries...If it's RAINING hard...I just do the walks.

By now I' get it that I'll feel ALOT better about lying in bed reading all day if I've gotten out and MOVED...that's the bottom line. It's just the getting out the door part that's hard...;)

Since i've been off my bike i've mainly swam 2 or 3 times a week plus water walking and modified pilates.

I start physio on my knee on friday! I look forward to being able to bend my knee to 90 degrees in due time.(atm about 20 degrees)

We don't have a christmas tree nor any decorations...I can't be bothered buying them nor putting them up...It's not christmas without snow.

C

Bought a trainer and started running again. Taking swim lessons in january. Joining the gym soon too.

Am working on running and swimming. Once a week I do a spin class.

It seems like I have less time than what I did before!!!

DH would like to hike more. Our house needs organizing and we've been traveling.

Oh and I started going to yoga and then got busy but I'd like to go back. I think working on balance and flexibility would really help :D

I'm walking my dog more often, ripping out horrid carpeting, packing boxes and moving nearly everything in the condo to one room in preparation for a remodel. A little gardening. And I'm getting to the dojo once or twice a week, should do more. Flexibility, balance and strength there.

We've been having unseasonably WARM weather the past couple of weeks. And I haven't been on my bike.

But I have been taking my dog, Nala, for longer walks when I get home from work. Am not burning enough calories, but Nala is happier. Apparently the cold weather cometh - we might hit 40 (low) on sunday. Frankly I'm getting tired of summer clothes.

I took monday off with the intention of going for a good ride, getting Christmas packages sent out, but was on day 2 of a migraine instead. Life isn't fair.

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Originally Posted by Lisa S.H.

Shelly, If i lived closer to you I would take you on my 3 mile brisk walk around the town where I live. Even when it's cold and grey and drizzly, I'll bundle up and get my lazy butt out of the house and go for a walk. Do you have any friends or acquaintances that you could set up walking dates with? It's very motivating and fun to have someone to walk with. :)

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Take me, too! Since mid-October I have been completely unmotivated and I can't figure out why. I have gained weight, gotten lazy and am so tired when I get home from work that I don't have the umph to get on the bike or anything else. Today is 64 degrees and sunny (snow forecast for the weekend) and now I can't ride because of hand surgery.....poor me.....whine whine whine.....HELP ME GET GOING AGAIN, PLEASE!!! :eek: :mad: :eek: :(

Shoveling snow
running
walking the dogs
skiing
knitting
visiting TE forums

riding (a little) when the roads are clear. this may not be until 2008 if the current storm pattern holds. Yikes!

sarah

Snowshoeing with the dogs, cross country skiing, riding on the trainer. I still can't run because of the plantar fasciitis, but at least I can ski.

You know Lisa, you must read my mind sometimes. I"ve thought, how far apart do we really live? I was actually thinking of you when I posted that reply to this thread. Boy, wonder if Lisa would want company snowshoeing! My riding partner, I haven't heard from her since the beginning of November..we plan on xc skiing this winter- but no snow here yet. She's a runner, there would be CPR involved if I ran. Last year we rode our bikes to mid-January then started riding in April. I actually thought about getting bundled up and put my Brooks night life apparel on and going for a walk outside today, but the wind is so bad and being 30 out I was optimistic about going outside. It was dreary and sleety. The cold doesn't bother me, it's the driving force behind the wind that makes it even colder is what gets to me. I am actually looking towards walking out in the snow at least once this winter..reminds me of youth. IFJAne you can come up for a visit, hopefully we'll get a horrible snow storm, you'll be stuck here for days, I wont be able to work, and we can bum around the country side on xc skis and snowshoes and eat hearty. Then we will be out of our funk, I hope!

Jane and Shelly-

Yes, we must just get ourselves bundled up and WALK, even just for a mile. The more often I walk, the more energy I have and really the more I enjoy it. The less I walk or bike, the less I feel like doing it and the more listless I become.
Today we had a break in the weather after the past few days of ice and cold...it is 40 today and not raining! But still too many salty puddles and mystery ice patches to bike. So I extended my usual walk by doing some of the loops around various blocks twice- I was very inspired today because the forecast is for more nasty sleet over the next few days. I turned my usual 3.6 mile walk into 5 miles!! :p On the last leg I go down through our village Main street- bought a few xmas decorations and then trudged the last leg up our steep hill to home.
So I got some decent exercise in- yay! This afternoon and evening I'll be working at my desk to make up for my morning adventures and playing hookie. :cool:

Just because we all live far apart doesn't mean we can't walk together....in a cyber sort of way. :)
Nothing but frustrating snow "dustings" so far here- I can't wait to get the first 6" snowfall to go snowshoeing in. :o

I haven't ridden outside all month. In fact, I heard on the news today that we've had precip every day this month. Sigh.

So, instead I've been upping my yoga practice again and hitting 3-4 classes a week, including a two hour one on Saturdays. This past Sunday, my riding buddies at I met, along with our bike trainers and did a garage ride. That was less than fun, let me tell you.

I've been trying to make it to spinning class, but it's been a bit of a challenge. The Y I went to last year--and the one that's five minutes from home--got new spin bikes that are made for someone taller than me (or with longer arms) because I can barely reach the handlebars. My back got kind of screwed up from it so now I'm going to a Y that's about 10 miles from home. Grrrr.

I'd really like to start running again, but don't know where to start. A lot of my cycling friends get together to run on the weekends and I'd really like to join them. I ran off and on for years but have had a mental block about it for some time. It's not fun like cycling is to me, so I don't know that my motivation is in the right place.

Other than that, I've been doing some rainy day things. I've been trying to declutter my house because it's sort of driving me crazy. I took a day off work last week to get all my holiday shopping done. I finished my holiday cards yesterday and got them into the mail--which is always a relief. I've been to the movies a few times and went to see an exhibit on Roman art from the Louvre at the Indianapolis Art Museum. Oh, and I've been reading again a bit more.

Actually doing the work I've needed to do for my business since last Spring--
Total re-design of web site, developing mailing lists and a whole new marketing strategy.

I have been running on the treadmill at the gym and sometimes outside. Today here in Brooklyn is actually pretty warm, but rain is imminent. I have discovered I am a fair weather biker -- but maybe I'm a cold weather runner, which would be OK.

We also took up Salsa dancing and we try to go out one night a week and to class one night a week. It is really fun, a bit of exercise and actually a good complement to biking. Really great to learn that the person you've been marrried to for 20 years is often the best dancer in the place - go DH:) .

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Originally Posted by Lisa S.H.

Jane and Shelly-


Just because we all live far apart doesn't mean we can't walk together....in a cyber sort of way. :)
Nothing but frustrating snow "dustings" so far here- I can't wait to get the first 6" snowfall to go snowshoeing in. :o

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Exactly - and I think this is just what I need. In fact, I think I will leave the office now, go home and go for a walk! Thank you Lisa & Shelly - maybe I'll get those extra pounds off after all!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lisa S.H.

Jane and Shelly-

Just because we all live far apart doesn't mean we can't walk together....in a cyber sort of way. :)
Nothing but frustrating snow "dustings" so far here- I can't wait to get the first 6" snowfall to go snowshoeing in. :o

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Right! I sometimes hesitate to post a "walk report" or "something other than a ride report" in the ride report thread.

But it all counts! :cool:

I got me some xc skis. When the trails are a bit better, I will be able to go out there. :D Also been doing some treadmill running since it was -26C last weekend :eek:.

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Originally Posted by IFjane

now I can't ride because of hand surgery.....poor me.....whine whine whine.....HELP ME GET GOING AGAIN, PLEASE!!!

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Ride one-handed? ;)

I am also a big fan of fitness walking, especially in the winter. Also waiting for some snow to try out my new x-c skiis. Oh, and then there is the endless Christmas cookie baking, and the resulting "cookie blubber" that results from a little too much "tasting". :eek:

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Originally Posted by Trek420

Right! I sometimes hesitate to post a "walk report" or "something other than a ride report" in the ride report thread.

But it all counts! :cool:

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Yes it does all count! :p

And let's not forget that there are great threads already under the TE "other sports" category that include threads specifically on running, fitness walking, x-country skiing, downhill skiing, snowshoeing, as well as other sports and exercises. We can always post our non-biking activities in their own special threads! :) A lot of good information accumulates there for special interests.