What are your riding plans for shorter days?

[crazycanuck]

Shorter days for you in the northern hemisphere but longer days for us kids down yonder way!!

YAYAYAYAY!!! I might even get to ride in the light one of these fine days!@!!! WAHOOOOEEY!!!! SUmmer is coming..longer riding..I might catch up to Makbike in terms of km's!

C

[Dianyla]

My short-daylight strategy revolves around two key components:

1. Lights. Lots of them. I've got a rechargeable uberbright LED headlight by Exposure, Hokey Spokes on the front wheel, and numerous red blinkies viewable from the rear.

2. Schedule. This is more due to my school schedule than anything else. I can't always afford to spend 2 full hours on bike commuting every day, but I can plan to spend 1 hour. So, I can ride to morning class and then to work afterwards in the midday. In the evening, I'll probably end up multi-mode commuting and using the bus time to get some schoolwork done. I certainly won't feel like I'm missing out on much, especially on those black rainy nights.

[DirtDiva]

Well, I've just plunged myself into shorter days. I plan on making that rather bright, rather expensive light I forked out for earn its keep...

[wiseowl]

I plan to bring my bike to work with me, and ride there after work, rather than driving the 30+ minutes home, and then riding. And after that, I plan to ride during lunch, at least for a few miles. And after that, I plan to ride on the trainer and catch up on some TV!

[shawnada]

I invested in one of those spendy spin bikes. It's not like riding outside but in the winter I still ride everyday. it has helped my conditioning immensely. My work weeks don't allow for outside time. Kids in the morning and then to work and I get off at seven or so

[indysteel]

Denial? Works for me!

This year will be interesting b/c after finally switching over to Daylight Savings Time, the state then decided to extend it into November, so I don't really know from experience how much daylight I'll have to work with in the evenings. I'm hoping that I'll be able to extend my weekday evening riding by a few extra weeks.

I invested in an expensive Light and Motion light last spring for a trip that I didn't end up taking. I'd like to try it out, but I'm pretty nervous about it. It's my understanding that there's a group of local riders who do some night rides in the winter. I'd feel safer in a group so I might try to track them down. Last year, I "contented" myself with taking spin classes 2 times a week and riding on the weekends, weather permitting. For better or worse, there were 10 weeks of bad winter weather during which I didn't ride at all. I was bummed about it at the time, but I ultimately benefitted from the break. I did A LOT of yoga instead, which had some wonderful mind/body effects. Had I forced myself to ride in the worst of the winter weather, I think I would have faced some burn out. Instead, by the time March rolled around, I was more than ready to be back on my bike, physically and mentally.

So, as much as I'll likely miss my bike, I'd like to vary my late fall/winter routine even more this year and incorporate some hiking and climbing into the mix. I've never climbed before, but there's a Climb Time in town that offers women 1/2 price on Thursdays. I'll ramp up my yoga practice again, too.

[Tiffany]

I bring my bike to work with me everyday anyway so no changes in that plan. (I drive a Tahoe and keep the bike with me 24/7) However, once the days start getting really short, I have a route mapped out from my work that I ride. I just change clothes as soon as I get off work and go hop on the bike right away. I can still get in a good 20 miles up until late in the fall almost early winter. After that I use the trainer (which I hate BTW) until about mid February when I can start getting in some real rides again right after work. Usually in Feb/Mar I'm pushing to get in 12/13 miles but hey, at least I'm on the bike.