decisions, decisions....

[redrhodie]

This morning, I had the hardest time deciding what to do; ride my steel "winter" bike outside or ride it inside on the trainer. After much thought, I chose to ride outside. But, the trainer was looking very warm and cozy, like a down comforter .

I'm guessing a lot of other riders were having the same debate, and chose the trainer today. We had steady NW winds, which brought the wind chill temp to 18º when I left. I didn't see a single other rider, not even a MTB, and that's REALLY unusual for around here. I have to say, it was a tough one, but I did around 31 miles. It took around 2.25 hrs, but believe me, I was workin' for that pace.

Anyone else have the same dilemma today?

[woohoo]

Yeah, but I wussed out and went with the trainer - horizontal rain's almost always enough to keep me indoors!

[shootingstar]

Great red, that you got out there despite your reservations initially.

No, we had sun and just a couple of degrees above freezing. Dry and no rain. Time for cycling. Did 45 kms., which included trying out a modified route when I start bike commuting to work. We wanted to avoid zipping through a park which is now littered with large twigs, dirt due to some unknown construction and clearing of some trees/bushes. It's stuff I don't want to deal with a bike with loaded panniers when its low light early morning and with real possibility of unseen ice patches since there is still little lumps /patches of snow .

[Selkie]

Red, that is terrific. Sometimes it's nice to be the only one out there.

This year, it's been so cold that I have had a very difficult time motivating myself to layer up and ride outside. I think having to ride before work--when it's dark and cold--makes it seem worse. I spent most of January inside with Coach Troy, which has resulted in some noticeable improvement in my cadence on flats (I'm a hill lover).

With the arrival of that short-lived thaw, I began riding again outside. Last week was nice, except for the 30+mph gusts on Friday. The last couple of rides have been in progressively cold weather, but surprisingly, I'm just happy to be out on dry pavement and in fresh air.

I'm trying to commit myself to riding outside again when pavement conditions are safe, even if it's below freezing. That means inside when there's ice/snow or it's raining (cold rain just is the pits. I can handle it in warm weather, but no more gutting it out in 39 degrees w/rain!). Also, if the air temp is below 20, I'll be inside.

[NoNo]

I had that exact dilemma yesterday! It was in the 30's, which I can handle, but there was a bit of a breeze and I just couldn't decide if I wanted to put up with it. Plus I'd have to clean my chain again from all the sand on the roads, and it's such a pain putting on all those layers. So I ended up walking to the local trail and hiking in the woods. Got a bit lost and ended up getting home 3hrs later. Would have been better off riding

[redrhodie]

The same dilemma today. It's freezing cold, 25-35 mph winds, making the windchill temp in the single digits. I think I'm riding the trainer.

The other day I rode my ALU bike, first time this winter. Boy, did I feel fast! My plan was to ride the steel bike all winter, but I decided, when the roads are clear, why not ride the better bike and climb some hills? I don't do much climbing in the winter because the sand and ice on the roads makes the descents too treacherous. The downhill was really sandy, but at least there was no ice, so I got down without issue. Getting up was even fun, mostly due to wind direction. It felt like I was being pushed from behind

So tomorrow, I need to decide whether to ride the steel bike or the ALU bike. I think I'm going to do steel, do just enough miles to meet my 100 mile/week goal. I'll save the ALU bike for nice weather hilly rides, and the trainer for unpleasant weather. How's that for a plan?

[Biciclista]

it was 36 degrees this morning, so I dressed extra warmly and got on my bike for my LONG (4 miles) commute. We hadn't gone 1/2 mile when the fog started coming in! argh. That makes the dark commute a lot more frightening; but since i was already on the bike, I decided to go for it. After I got to work, the fog got even thicker! now it's starting to lift, 2 hours later.

I guess that means it's not windy here!

[limewave]

Trainer for me. We're in a Winter Weather Storm Warning right now.

[redrhodie]

it was 36 degrees this morning, so I dressed extra warmly and got on my bike for my LONG (4 miles) commute. We hadn't gone 1/2 mile when the fog started coming in! argh. That makes the dark commute a lot more frightening; but since i was already on the bike, I decided to go for it. After I got to work, the fog got even thicker! now it's starting to lift, 2 hours later.

I guess that means it's not windy here!

I probably would have ridden, too, but the decision to leave in the dark and fog would have had me looking out the window until the last second.

The funny thing is, I've never regretted a ride. I'm always happy when I'm done, especially if it was hard. Why doesn't that make going out in the elements easier?

Today's trainer ride was fun. I've only had it a few weeks, so it's still a new toy.

[Karma007]

Wow! All of you are awesome! I'll admit to being a total sissy, and can't imagine riding when it's that cold, or snow?! 4 paws, way up!

[Selkie]

Red, it was like that here yesterday morning (wind chill 11 degrees but winds gusting to 30mph), so I also opted for the trainer and Coach Troy.

Today, I enjoyed a 43 mile ride in 28 degrees/windchill of 20. Actually wasn't too bad.

[sundial]

I did the trainer last year but I have yet to get on it this year. I'm avoiding the mistakes I made last year, which included overtraining. I try to ride outdoors when possible and although I may not get in a very long ride, I at least get fresh air and the dogs get their exercise.

[Selkie]

Does my Kali come with you on your bike rides?

[redrhodie]

Mick we have the same weather again today. I ended up riding my ALU bike. I don't know why, it just looked more fun this morning. Actually, it was!

I dropped a guy (in shape, not old, on a road bike) like he was a hot potato today. When I first caught up to him, he tagged on as I passed. He asked if I minded, and I said no, and he seemed to be staying with me okay. He moved up to take a pull, and I noticed he was really slowing down into the wind. I went back to the front, figured he needed a rest, and would draft off me again. Ooops, when I looked back, he was about 20 yards behind. Sorry Charlie. He was a nice guy. I've seen guys be total jerks after getting passed. This kind of passing only happens in the winter, btw. By spring, they're all as fast as me. By summer, it's pass-o-rama. So is life. It's just good to be able to give it once in a while, since I take it so well!

I don't know if I would have dropped him if I were on my steel bike. I definitely wouldn't have dropped him if I were on my trainer! I like all the options I have. Maybe that's why it's so hard to choose.

Sun, how much riding did you do last year to overtrain? Did you ride outside and the trainer, or just the trainer? I take a few days off per week, and limit the trainer rides to 45 minutes.

Thanks, tofu! It wasn't that long ago that I thought 68º was too cold to ride.

[Selkie]

Red, all this "wind" riding is making you strong! Good going.

Rain, possibly flurries, tonite into tomorrow. I'll probably be back inside on the trainer tomorrow.

Noticed that New England is going to get hit w/more snow.