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

[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!)

[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.

[Velobambina]

Ironically, I don't find that I get as cold when I'm riding in rainy 40 degree temps vs dry 40 degrees.

Silver, layer up and get out there. How can you acclimate if you are in your house, off the bike? Every day that the pavement is clear of snow/ice/slush/snow-debris is a gift this time of year and remember, we still have several months before the threat of snow/ice is over. If you get out there and it's unbearable, you can turn around and go home. I'm betting that you find it invigorating.

The hardest part is getting out the door. Usually when I dread riding on a cold day, I get five miles into the ride and realize that it isn't as bad as I anticipated.

Here's a treat---go out after dark and see all the houses decked out with Christmas lights!

[Blueberry]

Oh...Velobambina - that sounds really nice

I mentioned in another thread, we'll be in the DC area this weekend - we have lights on our bikes (if we bring them) - Any not to be missed, not too difficult rides?? Bonus points if we get to see lights

[silver]

Oh, good suggestions everyone!!!!

And I am working on the garments. I'm sending back the Gore jacket that I'd ordered from Terry. I've ripped out the cuffs of a Nike jacket and am adding a bit of dri fit fabric to the ends to make to give a little extra length.

I have kept up the exercise. But indoors.

Does this work.....linking my bike journal? I input all my exercise.

http://www.bikejournal.com/journal_c...=12&jyear=2007

I ran outdoors last wednesday, 6 miles in 29 degree weather. My fingers froze. I bought some new lobster claw gloves.

Mr. SR500, I just bought a used trainer, but haven't used it yet. I teach indoor cycling and am going to be doing a bit more of that. I'm trying to get permission to have people bring in their road bikes and trainers to use rather than the spin bikes.

I had the opportunity to buy rollers from the same person that sold me the trainer but decided against them. I'm afraid of them.

http://www.weather.com/outlook/healt...480?dp=windsdp

I'm looking at the weather and thinking that I may try a ride tomorrow afternoon. I may have an inlaw errand earlier tomorrow. But, Thursday and Friday look good. Mr. hasn't been bringing his bike home on the weekends now that he has it set up in the trainer, so I'd best not plan any long rides for the weekend.

Yes, there is hope. I'll start gathering the cold weather gear together in anticipation.

What do you all use as too cold, too windy, too rainy?

[Susan126]

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...

I saw one of those inside ride things at the Group Health Bike Expo two years ago. My daughter even got to ride one. Mom (me) chickened out. I would love to have one right now because like many of you out there I too have not been riding because of this stinky weather! I am looking forward to spring! And I am happy that the days will start to get longer in a week! Yippee!

Video of my daughter riding one of those inside ride machines.

Sue

[Bike Goddess]

Rollers aside- check out the bike !

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Rollers aside- check out the bike !

Call me anal, but it bothers me when people don't align their quick release levers neatly with their forks and chainstays.