New Motivation w/ Changing Weather

[SalsaMTB]

So have any of you other winter girls been feeling considerably more motivated to ride/exercise because of the change in weather? I haven't ever tried biking in the winter but husband and I are thinking of trying it this year. During the summer I had my down points where it was too hot or any other excuse. Now that the weather is slowly changing (fall is my favorite season), I feel like I need to ride as much as possible to take advantage of the nice weather before the snow comes. Yesterday, I did a mountain ride in the morning and a really light jog in the evening because it was so nice out. Is anyone else going through this (not that I'm complaining, I love it!)? I swear all I've been thinking about is riding for the last few weeks. I guess my body is desperately trying to get in shape before it gets too cold out!

[Asphaltgirl]

Just the opposite--I wish I were more motivated, but the minute my eyes saw the leaves starting to turn it was like--"okay, hibernation mode". Sadly, my midweek cycling is usually after work (5pm) and it's starting to get darker earlier and the temps drop and it's hard to get on that bike. I had a great biking summer and maybe the body/mind is saying that it's okay to slow down a bit. Give me a hot/sunny cycling day and I'm a little pig in sh$t!
~AG~

[caligurl]

i'm actually hoping it snow again this year! last year it snowed and kept me off the bike a couple days but this year... as the proud owner of a new MTB.... i actually WANT it to snow so i can go ride (try to ride) in it! and of course get some gorgeous snow covered desert pics while at it!

[Jo-n-NY]

in the past 4 years when the weather got colder and length of daylight got shorter i kept up my cycling with a trainer. i set a routine as i would if i were riding outdoors, just for a shorter time. the idea of not loosing the fitness level that i developed during the biking season was my motivativation. last year my husband and friend worked out together a couple of times a week. we moved the furniture, set up 3 trainers, 4 when my brother joined us, and climbed to the carmichael dvd. sxo this made a fun workout for a couple of times during the week. i am sure if anyone looked through my picture window would think we were nuts!

excuse all the lower case ltrs, fractured shoulder here.

joann

[emily_in_nc]

Hmmmm...may I ask what change in weather you are referring to??

It was 95 here on Saturday and 94 on Sunday. I am ready for fall!!!!

Emily in hot NC

[ACG]

No change of weather here in my part of SoCal, but it is really, really dark in the a.m. I only have time to ride in the a.m. and I have to start out at 5:15 or so. Today I set up my trainer. In front of the TV and had my ipod blasting. It is sooo dark that I feel it is too dangerous. I plant to use the trainer and venture out maybe once a week during the week. Weekends I'll ofcourse be able to start a little later. The only thing that will stop me once the time changes here, is torrential rain.

[SalsaMTB]

94...wow! That's warm. Here in MI, every day is different. We'll have one day of a high in the 60s then the next day will almost hit 80. I think it's the leaves changing that's really telling me it's fall!

[Jo-n-NY]

it is still nice and warm here in ny. i thought the question was in anticipation of colder weather. we have rode outdoors when temps were in the 40's. once it hits the thirties we i/we rather bring out the trainers.

joann

[Trek420]

It's nice here but rain is predicted Tuesday so I rode to work. Since the MTB's slower I left earlier only to find .....my shift's been changed; 8:30-5:30 now.

Good news, it's a little lighter when I leave, have wiggle room for minor mechanicals, I ride more often with this shift.

Bad news darker on the way home so in Fall/Winter I ride less on this shift.

I've been trying to get this for a while, just my luck I get it when there's no daylight left, oh well.

[nuthatch]

There's nothing like a beautiful cool fall day to make you want to zoom! I'm trying to think of it as different bike seasons, like cali. Summer is for road bike, and the rest of the year is cyclocross, mt biking, maybe even icebiking! Please don't make me get on the trainer..

[latelatebloomer]

SalsaMTB, I'm with you! I'm riding more than ever, loving the cooler air (though not the lessening daylight). It's as if my body is craving the opposite "of getting ready for hibernation." As it's paying off, I'm not questioning why. The shorter daylight hours will eventully put an end to all but my weekend rides - then I'll spin. No hibernation for latelate - that was the PREVIOUS 40 years!

[Trekhawk]

. No hibernation for latelate - that was the PREVIOUS 40 years!

latelate - LOL - no hibernation for me either the thought of starting from scratch again is enough to make me brave most weather conditions around here.

[Bike Goddess]

excuse all the lower case ltrs, fractured shoulder here.

joann

What's this about a fractured shoulder? How did that happen? Please, please fill us in.

BG

[MomOnBike]

I've often said that I only ride in the summer (yuck) to get in shape for the glorious fall rides. And then I'm too busy to ride.

[CorsairMac]

The change in season always makes me SADD! (sorry...bad pun I know)