How Will You Get Through Winter?

[Susan126]

By the time I get off work it's almost dark. The long sunny, warm, beautiful after work rides are over once again until spring's return in 4-5 months. Of course I will keep doing my weekend rides but my weekday rides are definitely over. So how will I stay fit through the winter? How will I get my time on the "bike"? For me it's back to my gym and my Tuesday and Thursday late afternoon spin class. It got me through last winter and it did help because when spring finally did return I jumped right back into my after work rides without much suffering. I wasn't starting from scratch. Those two weekday spin classes helped. All last winter I did the weekday spin classes and rode on the weekends. I also did snow shoeing throughout the winter months too.

So what is your plan for getting through the dark short winter weekdays when darkness greets you at 4:30 PM? And rain and/or snow?

[Blueberry]

I'm lucky - I live in NC, and we won't get too much snow. On a heavy snow year, I might lose a week to slick roads. I'll ride outside (with lights!) for the most part, although on the most brutal days, it's spinervals in my living room...

CA

[Tater]

Since I work from home, I can make my own schedule. Therefore, as long as the roads aren't icy, I ride.

[tulip]

Since I work from home, I can make my own schedule. Therefore, as long as the roads aren't icy, I ride.

me, too.

[OakLeaf]

I go to Florida <g,d&r>.....

[Crankin]

I chose # 3, even though my answer is really 1, 2, and 3. I mostly hike outside, snow shoe, x country ski, but I also go to the gym, do spin, lift weights, and ride my trainer. If it's decent out, I will ride my hybrid for a shorter ride, since even when it's nice, the road conditions are usually not.
I usually ride my road bike a couple of times in December, but it's on the trainer in January and February.

[Aggie_Ama]

I live in Texas, we see snow so rarely the whole town comes to a grinding halt. In the winter I do a lot of running during the week, I am not a fan of night riding so I get really fit running. I am probably overall in better shape when I run more than ride.

Weekends we plan to road ride one day and hit the dirt the other. But we already have some hiking weekends planned as well. For us the weather is more an issue of our thin blood than sleet, snow or rain. The heavy rains happen in the spring when we get rain. I would love a crazy rainy winter because we are in a terrible drought.

BTW- I voted gym because it fit the most but I run outside.

[Aggie_Ama]

I will also mountain bike all winter. Sunny, warm Texas, we usually get in the upper 40-50's during the day. But our summers are practically unbearable.

[crazycanuck]

If i lived up north in the winter, i'd just go mtn biking or xc skiing.

At the moment though, we're waiting for the really warm weather to come. When it does, i'll stick my tongue out at all you folks up north. Nyer Nyer. Now it's your turn to ride in the dark! It's not hard kids.

Enjoy winter.

[Miranda]

I voted go to the gym. But, I will do a combo like some gals have posted.

I take spinning classes at my gym. Actually, I'm certified to teach if I ever get my act together and make it work, vs just for me. I also lift weights regularly at the gym. Sometimes I'll kickboard in a lane in the pool. Sometimes I'll whack a raquetball around.

I do own a trainer. That's hard for me to dedicate doing at home. Too many interuptions despite the best planning.

I bought xc skiis last year. Planning to bust those out. I just got my snow shoe order recently. Hoping that will work out. Thinking my new puppy will enjoy some winter hiking with me. Also, we got indoor rink skates for the kids and I. Not hard cardio, but it does take some balance to skate.

And, from my prior post about buying gear... I do finally own some winter pieces now. So, I can get out on the road and trail too hopefully when there is no snow. Snow is very hit or miss in the midwest.

One of our lbs started CompuTrainer classes. If I want to mix it up more, might try that.

But, spinning is my "main stay".

[alpinerabbit]

Hybrid again...

Commute as long as slush is absent
MTB on a weekend if weather permits
Road if weather permits and I can take the cold
Gym for power units if I can motivate myself, starting FEB
Trainer, (see Gym)

[HillSlugger]

I ride through the winter on my road bike but the road needs to be clean and dry.

[Jiffer]

I will be riding all winter long in sunny Southern California. It can get pretty nippy, but I got it better than many.

[coyote]

We did have ice once. I had to wait till 9:00am, when the ice melted, to ride to work...but then again so did most of Tucson.

[lph]

We did have ice once. I had to wait till 9:00am, when the ice melted

this was really cute