Winter Fitness Plan?

[PamNY]

I would encourage you to at least try winter biking. To my surprise, I found it absolutely delightful. My lower limit is 25 degrees (and I check the wind chill); that must be the magic number.

I am acclimated to cold since I don't have a car and walk everywhere. Even so, I find that winter biking makes me more tolerant of cold which is very handy.

Pam

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Biking in 25-35F is comfy if you wear layers of good merino wool stuff and light wool base layers. A lightweight balaclava, couple pairs of good gloves, insulated hiking boots with heavy wool socks (personally I'd never keep warm enough with clipless shoes and booties), couple good pairs of winter tights. I stay toasty warm that way.

[GLC1968]

I love riding in the winter. It makes me feel like such a bad-as$!

It was my favorite time to ride when I lived in NC. Of course now that I'm in the PNW, it doesn't get all that cold here, but it rains. 45F and rain is actually much harder to ride in than 20F and sun (for me, anyway). It's also freakishly dark here in the winter. While I'm a northern girl at heart, I've spent the last 10 years of my life in the south, so these short, dark winter days are definitely an adjustment.

This winter, I'm really looking forward to have time for my fitness videos again. I miss doing them! I have all the weights and equipment I need in our basement...so I workout there. My husband opted for the gym. Either way, we both have committed to some weekend riding - even if it's at a casual pace (and I hope to get in one commute a week as well).

I will say that I'm opposite of most people. Cold makes me want to be outside and active. I LOVE it. Summer heat rolls around and I just want to hide in a cool basement or float in a lake somewhere.

[PamNY]

I love riding in the winter. It makes me feel like such a bad-as$!

I'm cracking up over that. I feel the same way.

Pam

[Zen]

I will ride in the cold, but not the wind. I've begun a tradition (ok, last year was the first) of riding my bike on New Year day. The streets were practically empty
Otherwise, it's the usual spinning, Pilates and weights for me.

[Crankin]

I ride semi regularly through November and December, but it mostly gets supplemented by hiking and walking as my outdoor activity. When the snow flies, I x country ski and snow shoe. I will take my hybrid or mountain bike out in January or February if it's around 35 and the roads are clear. It usually happens one to three times in those months.
I also do yoga, core stuff, and use my bike on the trainer. I dropped my gym membership, so this winter I am putting myself and my husband through a boot camp to get ready for our cycling trip in May.
Generally, I look forward to do other sports and taking a rest from riding. I get burned out very easily.

[momtohanna]

Again thanks for all the ideas!!

I did it ~ you all made me feel like such a wuss I dropped the little one off at preschool and came home, got all dressed up and went for a ride. Granted it was only 48 so not SUPER cold.

I did a nice 14 mile ride and it wasn't as bad as I had expected it to be. So maybe there's hope to get some riding in this winter after all. Last year we had a really mild winter so there were plenty of days like today to be had.

Jackie