Preparing for winter :mad:

[Crankin]

You need to discover winter sports. The key to winter is getting out in it and wool!
Seriously, I ride until the beginning of December or so, but as it gets colder, my rides get shorter. I do some hiking in the "shoulder" season (fall). Once the snow falls, I get obsessed with cross country skiing and snow shoeing. Cross country skiing conditions are quite inconsistent around here, so I'm usually traveling at least an hour to do that, but we can have good conditions for a few days after a snowstorm. I can snow shoe out my door.
I used to belong to a gym; did spin, yoga, weights. I now have a trainer for the bike and I do yoga and weights at home. So, basically, Dec., January, February are my months to take some time off of the bike (mostly January and February). If there's a sunny day in the 30's I'll go out for a short ride, if the roads are OK. I am back on my bike by March 5-10 and most people think i am nuts for that.
I lived in AZ for 16 years and FL for 5. I hated endless summer and believe me, there is more to life than warm weather. I love the seasons and the quality of life I have here. I know I would get burned out if I rode all year round.

[Becky]

I ride outside (albeit shorter rides), ski (DH and XC), swim, and practice yoga. Winter is a great time for mountain biking because you're going slower and typically in the woods, both of which mean less wind chill than a road ride.

I'll occasionally ride the trainer, but I have to be pretty desperate for a workout to do so.

[Catrin]

Starting to think about this winter and what I want to focus on. I've asthma, and while it has greatly improved, cold air is about the only trigger I have right now. All of my allergies appear to have disappeared, and even riding in 95+ temps didn't bother my lungs. Cold air? Different story.

I will get a trainer, as much as I don't really want to. Considering winter shoes, but that is such a large investment...but I remember how cold my feet got this last winter when riding in only 40 degree temps... I've also clipless pedals on my Gunnar and that isn't going to change.

So it will likely be a combination of trainer, spinning class, weights, and probably a mat Pilates class at my gym. I will probably, finally, drop the training in December as much as I hate to and just work out on my own.

[SheFly]

I'm with Crankin'. Though I will usually ride most of the winter, this past year we switched gears and did a lot more x-country skiing. It was a nice break from the bike, and awesome cross training that translated in the spring. Around here, you can't go to a ski area without bumping into the same people you race bikes with during the season!

Of course, winter activities are always dependent on the weather. Last year was a good snow year for skiing, and bad for trying to stay on the bike outside. We have had years, though, where the opposite was true, and I logged a LOT of miles between January and March outside.

SheFly

p.s.
Catrin - if you are going to ride outside, winter shoes are the BEST investment. I have tried the Lakes, which are good, but discovered the Pearl Izumi winter shoes a couple of years ago and LOVE them. They keep your feet dry, and I rarely get cold feet with only one layer of socks.

[rubysoho]

I just signed myself up for a gym membership (LA Fitness bc they don't require year long commitments) so I can swim, use weights and participate in their classes like yoga. I am also planning to keep hiking this winter with my dogs and after my first successful summer of running I am hoping to keep that going through the winter as well!

I may be buying a second bike but that depends on a few financial factors. However I could put studded tires on, etc... It would be able to continue when my road bike can't. I just need to save my pennies a bit longer (or settle for a less expensive bike but I think I have made up my mind and that won't happen.).

[Velocivixen]

I'm essentially a gym rat. I lift weights, box, Pilates, boot camps, yoga, etc. I also run outside. We don't consistently get much if any snow here in the valley. If we get 1/4" schools close, etc. It's a big deal.