It's that time of year again : (

[Running Mommy]

I have a spare bedroom just waiting for guests. Ahhh yes, this is why I moved from rainy nor cal to sunny AZ. It can get cold in the winter, but nothing under about 26 degrees. And even then it still warms to at least the mid 50's during the day.
Of course while you are out enjoying your summer rides I'm sweating it out in 110+ degree temps feeling for sure that my tires are going to explode!!

[Crankin]

Not to hijack this thread (I didn't go to the gym... went for a 5 mile hike in Estabrook Woods, much better), but I don't know why people go to spin and just, well spin. Some people have been doing this for like 5-6 years. Do they wonder why they don't get fitter or lose weight? I only go to classes where the instructors say "turn it up," not turn it one turn, or half a turn, etc. How much resistance you want is very individual. On the road, I tend to let the terrain do the resistance for me. I don't like to mash, and I see a lot of that in spin, also. So someone telling me a specific amount to turn it up is not going to do me any good. I'm not always riding in the same gear as the person I'm riding with outside, so why would I be inside?

I was a gym rat for sooo long. Now I am losing the will to go. I know that in about 3-4 weeks when it is gray and dark, I will not mind going there after work. But right now, my plan is to be outside as long as I can. If I'm not riding, then hiking, snow shoeing, or X country. But, I need to do some resistance work...

[CycleChic06]

Yes, this time of year is PERFECT for hiking in New England. That's what I find myself doing on the weekends rather than cycling this time of year, because if there is one season that's shorter than the cycling season, it's the hiking season up here. Those black flies in the spring time keep me away from my favorite mountains in NH. My friend and I decided next year we want to hike Mount Washington (and maybe take the cog railway down).

But anyway, back to the topic...I just came from spinning class and it actually wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The instructor has gotten better and it wasn't TOO smelly in the room. But I definitely got a much better workout that I expected to, even the instructor kept complimenting me on the amount of resistance I used and my form.

Running Mommy - thanks for the offer! You're so right, winter here might be unbearbly cold, but summer where you are is unbearably hot!

Emily

[tygab]

<ramble>I think this is my favorite time of year - it's warm but not too warm, dry, mostly sunny, no bugs, and everywhere you look around here outstanding scenery. I agree, there are still many potential daytime rides/hikes/kayaks on the weekends left, but during the week I've already moved indoors. I had a great kayak this weekend that featured a bit of everything - open water & wind, calmer times to just enjoy the fall colors, and the water almost to ourselves.

Tonight the spin class was full for the first time since I've been going (since mid August when I was on and off depending on local riding options). I may be one of those people who doesn't look like I'm working hard (who knows, I can't see myself), because I don't sweat profusely and I haven't been huffing and puffing as much lately. But my HR monitor says otherwise - spent a good amt of time today in the upper reaches of my hr. I do turn it up when the instructor tells us to, and I usually push myself pretty well. Some of the others emerge dripping and red faced, but I rarely do. I was new to the Monday group/instructor today and he asked if I've been spinning for a while at the end of class. The question kind of took me aback at first, didn't know if he was just trying to make conversation or what. But I answered I just started in September. I like to think that he meant I looked like I was riding a decent workout. I try to have good technique, keeping my upper body relaxed and loose, rather than the death grip it seems like some of the others have. And since I've been doing bricks these last few weeks, as the rest of the class is leaving, I'm heading to the treadmill for a run - maybe they think I am crazy anyway. I run in my bike shorts after class and that does make me feel a little strange in the gym context. They are actually pretty comfortable to run in tho...</ramble>

[Dogmama]

But, I need to do some resistance work...

I don't like to ride when it's cold, so I really hit the weights during the winter. In the Spring, my aerobic capacity needs a few weeks to build up, but I'm climbing hills like crazy.

I'm one of those people in Spinning who are sweating buckets. I, too, watch people who spin 7 days/week and never sweat. And their body composition never changes either. But, they never have to recover during the workout either. I tend to make spinning more of an interval workout. My knees/back/etc cannot handle a constant pound-pound-pound of an ill fitting bike. So, I hit it hard, recover, hit it hard, recover, rinse & repeat!

[sarahkonamojo]

It always feels so icky in the gym.

I tend to ride outside even during the coldest months. Certainly below freezing, maybe as low as 25. But I am fortunate that my schedule allows me to ride during the warmest and lightest part of the day. I look like a marshmallow all bundled up. Of course, this einter could be different...

I do more running and yoga during the winter. and skiing of course. Luckily, on the Front Range of Colorado we have some bright 50degree days in the middle of winter. Everybody gets out.

Spinning sounds like fun and a good workout, but those dark smelly rooms have got to go.

sarah

[hsmpcycle]

This time of year is wonderful in Tennessee. Beautiful fall colors and cool temps makes the perfect ride. Once winter approaches, however, all it does is rain, rain, rain, and rain. Personally, I would rather have the snow. Two years ago I bought a bicycle trainer to avoid the gym, which allows me to workout right when I got home from work or take my bike to the office. It has helped me avoid a spin class, and it helps my bike get a year round workout.