Four season fitness - what weather will you ride in?

[shootingstar]

I have changed abit since moving from Toronto where it is colder and has more snow. I did not cycle at all in winter months when there was snow /ice on ground. I had less tolerance to even light rain so did not actively choose to ride in light rain unless I had no choice, ie. as part of a multi-day bike trip.

Will you ride when it's windy? If so do you head out into the wind so it's at your back on the way home, or vicey versey?

In Vancouver, if you are cycling a route that is even over 10 kms., you could easily get the wind head and tail, our streets aren't entirely grid straightforward due to how city has developed around water bodies. I will ride when it is windy up to approx. 35-40 kms. but if it's just a fitness I might choose a shorter route and exercise caution going down long hills (which we do have a number of them.) Of more serious consideration is either avoiding, taking extra care or walking with bike if there are higher speed winds on major bike road bridges. I don't really enjoy cycling when it's windy in the winter. Read further on for my reasons.



When it's drizzly? Yes, on weekend when it's light. And if no choice when there are no other transportation options at time of drizzle during a work-commute.

When it's freezing cold but the roads are dry? What about when the roads are a little slick? Yes, I will cycle at freezing cold or a tiny bit less. Not much more. There is the ongoing danger of black ice... When roads are slick...only at the side of roads and bike is short/is partially protected from cars or low volume traffic. It's a judgement call. It makes it easier if the cycling is done in daylight. It helps if I know several hrs. during the day, sun will burn off the slickness. Harder to gauge black ice at night. I also do not trust Vancouver drivers, many don't know how to deal with ice and snow. Sounds wierd but not all local drivers drive regularily in the mountains where there is snow nor do they have the proper tires. Due to our lack of snow on mainland vs. mountains, not all local drivers get trained how drive safely in snow and ice. Very different from other parts of snowier Canada.

Right after it rains? Absolutely yes. Doesn't matter how wet/dirty i get, I have fenders and wet clothing gear. Vancouverites rejoice any minute or second post-rain.

How about in the summer - will you ride in the rain when it's warm? Yes, but only a light rain.

Right now it's windy and cold but it's going to be this way for another month yet and skiing doesn't usually get good until after Christmas. . . . .

What do you do for fitness in the winter, and how about during those in-between times (like when it's slushy so you can't cycle or ski - or when it's very cold and windy but there's no snow on the ground?)

I don't cycle when it's very cold or very windy on certain wintery days. We only go snowshoeing in mountains several times per year (if we organize ourselves properly). Otherwise it's just stretching, etc. exercises at home. Could improve in this area. At minimum, during winter, I try to cycle each day on weekends.