winter's a-comin'

**Ashgarth** · 09-05-2006, 02:18 PM

So....since I live in the cold snowy flat land of Wisconsin....I am curious as to what activities you all do in winter when it's too cold/icy to bike? (I know some people still do it-but that won't be me).
I was thinking cross country skiing....or just joining a gym....

what do others do to not let the muscles get out of shape?

(hopefully this isn't in the wrong forum and hopefully this hasn't been posted already (I'm at work and can't browse))

**betagirl** · 09-05-2006, 02:21 PM

shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....

lalalalalalala...I don't hear you.....

I'm in denial, can't you tell?

I've told myself I'm going to commute all winter here in Chicago. Usually I just slack off for 5 months or so. I have used an indoor trainer with Spinerval DVD's in the past, but riding inside can be quite boring. But that's an option.

**Ashgarth** · 09-05-2006, 02:23 PM

yeah, a friend suggested that too--but said the same thing. Bbbboorrriinnggg. hehe

**Cassandra_Cain** · 09-05-2006, 03:03 PM

Hmmm, I hope to, gasp, RIDE!

Granted this is NM and not known for harsh winters. Nonetheless, I'm from the tropics (really!) and get cold easier than virtually anyone I know. Plus I like riding in the mountains, and at 2 miles up, it can get seriously cold here.

Anyway, It promises to be very, very challenging this coming winter. As should be obvious, I've never done winter riding before, so yes, I'm soaking up all those cold weather gear threads here on the forum

Like the two of you, I'd be bored riding inside honestly - a bit to hampster-on-a-wheel for my tastes!

**7rider** · 09-05-2006, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by Ashgarth

So....since I live in the cold snowy flat land of Wisconsin....I am curious as to what activities you all do in winter when it's too cold/icy to bike? (I know some people still do it-but that won't be me).
I was thinking cross country skiing....or just joining a gym....

what do others do to not let the muscles get out of shape?

(hopefully this isn't in the wrong forum and hopefully this hasn't been posted already (I'm at work and can't browse))

SKIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Got a nifty new pair of K2's at the end of the season and I'm dyin' to strap 'em on and hit the slopes!

**yogabear** · 09-05-2006, 06:10 PM

I ride the indoor trainer...I live in Metro Detroit...Hope to be somewhere warmer very soon though

Also, I like yoga

I can't ride the trainer longer than 2 hours. So, if I have to do longer as a part of my race season training, I'll do a two-a-day and ride 2x that day

I have a TV hooked up in my basement, my stereo kicker box in there, and it's all good...still boring though LOL.

**BleeckerSt_Girl** · 09-05-2006, 06:34 PM

In the bad snow/ice weather I suppose I will go back to what I was doing before I started biking. That is, fitness walking. BB (before bike) I did 3 miles of brisk walking almost every day. Walk all around my town and one steep hill home.
I like walking when the snow is deep or when it is snowing and only the plows are out. It will be interesting to see how much or how little warm gear I require this year when walking as opposed to last year. I think biking has improved circulation over my whole body- I seem to warm up more easily now and no more cold hand syndrome.

**Veronica** · 09-05-2006, 06:42 PM

I actually kind of enjoy doing Spinervals. I have a huge variety of workouts. I know I'll get a great workout in a fairly short amount of time.

V.

**pyxichick** · 09-05-2006, 08:29 PM

If you like a sport with gear (and if you're into cycling, then you probably do) then nordic skiing is for you. See if there are any ski trails near Milwaukee (and I'm pretty sure there are) where they make snow. Sadly, even the upper midwest is no longer all that reliable for good snow.

This is sort of like hedging your bets... if it's a warm winter, you can get on the bike, and if it does snow, you can be happy that you can ski.

And if it's 20 degrees outside AND no snow, then you can get a pair of ice blades to snap onto your ski boots and skate on the frozen lakes

Embrace winter!

Signed,
Kate, skier for global cooling

**Lise** · 09-05-2006, 09:15 PM

I ran all winter last year, unless it was below 20 degrees. That's just too painful. Then I went to the Y and swam +/or ran on the treadmill.

This is another fun thing I discovered last year: http://nordicwalker.com/

My family got me the shoes and poles for Christmas. It's good when it's too icy to run safely. The shoes are very good for running in the winter--much more "grippy" on potentially slick sidewalks.

I'm thinking of getting a trainer and putting my bike in the dining room, facing the TV in the living room...it's a pretty small apartment! I could move the bike back down to the basement when company comes over...I just hate the idea of losing the biking fitness I've gained this summer. I also hate the idea of going to the Y all the time.

I really prefer to be outside, and barring that, in my own house.

But I'm like beta...don't want to think about winter! I won't ride outside if it's at all icy. Too scared of wiping out in traffic.

**velogirl** · 09-05-2006, 09:30 PM

I'm lucky to be able to ride year-round (I'm not gloating, really). But, some of my clients live in snowy climates or just like to go to the snow from time to time. One of the best cross-training activities for cycling is snow shoeing. You can walk, you can run, you can play games and have contests. The cardio is great and the muscular is very complementary to the cycling action. The folks who are really into it are pretty hard core.

**annie** · 09-05-2006, 09:52 PM

ashgarth,

I live in the cold and occasionally snowy not-so-flatlands of northeast Iowa.... pretty much the same weather/climate as you. I x-country ski, if possible, but snowy winters are few and far between, so you can't plan on this as a dependable option to riding. Snowshoeing is also a fantastic option, but the same limitations as x-c skiing - you need snow! And we don't always have that. I will do a bit of running, but since I HATE running, plus have a bad ankle, that's not my first choice.

I do a huge amount of hiking! We have some beautiful areas here, on or off trails. I think of it as cross-training and a needed break from the bike.

Much as I would prefer to be outside, I WILL ride my bike indoors on a trainer, just to be pedaling. I ride to music, but close my eyes most of the time and imagine myself on my favorite summer routes and try and get into a zone of riding. I wear a heart rate monitor so that I know what level I'm working at....... or I can get waaaaaaaaay to lazy!

You can join a club - do spin classes. Cross train. Lift weights. The main thing is to continue to be active.

Oh- did I mention cycling outside if there is no snow or ice on the roads?

With the right clothing, it is very do-able.

annie

**Kano** · 09-05-2006, 11:14 PM

Originally Posted by Regina

SKIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Got a nifty new pair of K2's at the end of the season and I'm dyin' to strap 'em on and hit the slopes!

Regina -- EXACTLY!!! We got the bikes to be in better shape for skiing! At least that was the plan at first....

I have K2's also -- Tru Luv, very pretty silvery gray.... This will be my second season on them, and I think you're going to LOVE your new skis!

We're starting to see the pre-season ski sales, and soon our season passes will arrive in the mail, and the excitement is building -- I need to design and sew my new ski jacket too!

Karen in Boise

**Duck on Wheels** · 09-06-2006, 02:19 AM

Every year I tell myself I'll ski, but every year I find there's only a day or two when snow conditions are inviting enough for me, clumsy skier that I am ... and with my luck those days I'm locked into lectures or meetings or off to a conference somewhere. Last year I did spin classes at a gym. That took the extra incentives of an affordable gym membership, an inspiring spin instructor, and the Cinderella Classic 30th anniversary ride. The big question this year is will I manage to keep up the momentum. Gym memberships are more costly here. I have less time now that I'm back from sabbatical. And there are no organized rides at my level to look forward to, at least not locally. So now I have to be self-motivated

. Well, there will probably be some peer pressure from the family, and from TE friends. Keep nagging at me, gals.

**limewave** · 09-06-2006, 03:32 AM

I take up running in the winter. I also go to Spin class to keep up the muscle memory--it's fun because a lot of people I ride with in the summer go to the same class. And then I go snowshoeing or snow shoe running. I used to ski, but there was no where really close to us and I didn't want to drive a long way every time I wanted to do something active. Snow shoeing is great. Plus, there's no skill involved in it other than knowing how to walk so its easy to pick up.

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