Hello, my name is Silver and I'm a bike-aholic....

[silver]

It's been 15 days since I rode outside.

I'm unhappy and sad. I'm sure that my perfectly calloused bum is softening up. I gaze longingly at my bikes hanging on the rack and the wheel that sits on my kitchen floor with the tire unmounted as I struggle daily to mount the &*%^$ continental 4000 tire that haunts me.

I spend untold hours peering at the internet in search of the proper rim tape and tire mounting tools, trying to decide which one will help me mount the tire.

I search the internet for the perfect clothing that will make me feel warm and dry enough to want to go out and ride in the cold, rainy, nasty December weather.

Where, oh, where did the sunny, warmer weather go?

My last ride was a lovely 107.5 ride on November 27. Woah....woah...is me.



Please tell me I'm not alone.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I search the internet for the perfect clothing that will make me feel warm and dry enough to want to go out and ride in the cold, rainy, nasty December weather.

Where, oh, where did the sunny, warmer weather go?

But Silver- don't you live in a warm area??

[Popoki_Nui]

You are not alone! I feel your angst: I've been nursing a funk of my own for a while now. I too divide my gaze between my bikes, and the nasty cold rainy/snowy weather out the window. I have zero motivation, not even to climb aboard my indoor trainer setup. I really want to ride, but I don't. I miss the soothing heat of summer like you cannot believe. I haven''t even felt like posting here on TE (although that may not be such a Bad Thing )

*Ack*

[Starfish]

Oh Yes, PN, I totally get the funk. You, too, Silver. I have not been on my road bike since September. Fortunately, I am finally back in the gym, but for some reason I am resisting my bike on the trainer.

Yesterday, I thought we might have a pretty day of white snow. But, it lasted all of a 1/2 hour, then turned into COLD, 34 degree rain all day.

I miss SUMMER HEAT!!!. Fortunately, I only have about 7 more months to wait for summer in these parts.

[Flybye]

Silver, I couldn't have said it better than you. I know exactly how you feel.
I woke up this morning feeling pretty dumpy. I haven't exercised for three weeks because we have had two viruses run through our family of five and I just haven't felt up to doing much of anything.
I just finished with the lovely time of the month crap and thought that today I should feel better, but I really don't.
I crammed some St. John's Wort (I haven't tried this in the past, so we will see if it works or not) into my face and grudgingly pulled out the treadmill. I feel like I have betrayed my poor bike somehow. I can't bring myself to set up the trainer either.
I feel so much better after my 45 minutes on the treadmill.
I hope we can find something else that feels as good as the bike - if you do, let us know!!
In the meantime, I will refrain from indulging in my usual winter pity party and I will determinedly beat this funk this year!!!!

[li10up]

While I can empathize with those of you being kept inside due to bad weather I have to admit that I'm loving this time of year.

After suffering in the Texas heat all summer I'm finally able to ride in comfort. Yesterday was a chilly 48 degrees with some very light rain. I had on a light skullcap, tights, arm warmers and a vest and was still sweating a bit during my ride. It is so nice not to feel wilted after 2 miles. I'm able to ride faster and further in the cool weather without suffering. So while I feel for those of you in the cold and wet, this is the perfect time of year to ride for me.

Here's to a short, mild winter so you can get back on those bikes.

[mimitabby]

it's been below 40 for days and i don't like to ride in weather that cold. I'm going to a spin class 2x a week AND I AM SUPPOSED TO BE GOING TO THE GYM 2x A WEEK so i am getting SOME exercise.
I look at my bike and think; "can i still ride that thing?"

[Melalvai]

I search the internet for the perfect clothing that will make me feel warm and dry enough to want to go out and ride in the cold, rainy, nasty December weather.

Any kind of clothes, if you pile enough on, will keep you warm enough. Multiple pairs of gloves, mittens, and socks on your hands, socks on your feet and over your shoes, minimum 2 layers everywhere. Even a 10 or 20 minute ride can feel great (might take you 10 minutes to put on all that stuff, 10 min to take it off).

The rain sure does bite. I like riding in the rian, I like riding in the cold, I do NOT like riding in the cold rain at all!

I recommend not riding in an actual ice storm. A light snow fall is a beautiful thing to ride in.

Oh, and clean your bike up afterward.

[bike4ever]

Oh for me it's not necessarily the cold, but it sure is my December schedule. Since I am a manager in a bike shop/outdoors store, we are working 6 days a week. In addition, I have three boys that participate in multiple extra activities - basketball, indoor soccer, scouts, school choir, band, the list goes on. Everyone wants to have a holiday concert. Even though we are supposed to receive more ice today, if schools are open then the activities continue. Tonight is a band concert and two in basketball. Husband is doing band - I'm doing basketball.

This morning I had 45 minutes to exercise before getting ready for work. After the kids left, I took a nap. I can't wait until January.

[mimitabby]

and yes, December, the least light month!!! it's hard to get enthusiastic about riding when it's dark when you get home (unless you're raleighdon!)

[silver]

But Silver- don't you live in a warm area??

Yes, Lisa, I live in Southern Indiana. But I'm from Alabama. This is frigid weather to me. I'm just whining a bit, it's really not that bad, and I'm sure that it will get worse before the winter is over. The weather that we've had for the last couple of weeks, has been either two or more of the following types of weather that I don't like to ride in....winds sustained of over 15 to 18mph, raining, colder than 40 degrees. I can usually tolerate one of these conditions, but when it's two or more, I can't motivate myself to do it.

I've been experimenting with different articles of clothing and keep finding annoying things, like sleeves too short so my wrists get cold. Fingers too cold to shift, nose too cold.

there is hope in that we only have about 12 more days of decreasing light and then.....celebrate!!!....the days will start getting longer. I think that as we acclimatize (is that a word?) we will be able to tolerate the conditions better, but it sure is nice to know that others feel the same.

[li10up]

On the bright side, the days will start to get longer beginning December 22nd. I remember getting snow one year in PA on April 15th...that's one thing I don't miss about living in the northeast - the long cooold winters! One snowstorm a year would be perfect.

[Mr. SR500]

Silver,

Me too, off the bike for too long now. Got a cold, getting fat, roads are still wet with some ice and leaves so bad for riding. Time to get out the rollers and trainer.

You gotta check out these rollers:



http://www.insideride.com/

I want one so bad, but $800 - OUCH and we still don't have a !#@ Wii.

Time to ride will be soon...

[Triskeliongirl]

You just need the right clothes. I even surprised myself this morning. Normally I don't ride in the rain, but it wasn't raining, just drizzly, and I wanted to test drive my new rain gear. I put on my craft rain jacket, and goretex rain pants over a shebeest long sleeve dristyle jersey and tights, and rode very comfortably to work in a low 40s windy drizzle. I even unzipped the pit zips about 7 miles into the ride. I also used my new LG helmet cover, together with one of those headbands that covers your ears, and short gloves with full finger liners. The only part I need to work on are the gloves, as the liners got wet, need more weatherproof full finger gloves.

[Melalvai]

sleeves too short so my wrists get cold

Someone mentioned Snocks (on the snot thread): a pair of socks with the toes cut off. If they already have a hole in the heel, stick your thumb through that hole. Dual purpose: covers the bare wrist between coat & gloves, and serves as a hanky.