winter's a-comin'

[Bikingmomof3]

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.

[DeniseGoldberg]

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

[Crankin]

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

[bouncybouncy]

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....

[DebW]

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.

[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...

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

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?

[eclectic]

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 )