Bike abandonment

[Velocivixen]

I have not ridden my bike since September. My favorite month of October my seasonal affective ds. Had kicked in and my light box was not ordered in time. I saw people riding bikes on those lovely sunny crisp days and felt very guilty that I just didn't have it in me to get out there.
As an aside, I kept going to the gym this whole time and have lost 10 lbs. I feel like a bad bike owner for not riding.

[Dog]

I was a fair weather rider until this year. I didn't have the proper gear for riding in "inclement" weather. That changed when I bought my Surley LHT and invested in some winter gear and found that I still enjoy riding outdoors (I'm preparing to do some touring). But, nothing beats cycling in shorts and a t-shirt

[tangentgirl]

Don't feel too bad. The great thing about your bike is that it will still be there when it warms up, good as ever.

[featuretile]

The weather is colder in the winter in central CA, but not near as cold as the snowy places elsewhere. I feel fortunate that I can ride all year round. Lately, it has been in the low 40's in the morning at the start, but warms up to the mid 50's by noon. With the sun out and the right clothes, it is fine.

You need full gloves, tights, and an insulated biking jacket or some layers. Once I start riding (since there are a lot of hills) I get warmer. If it were overcast and cold, it would probably feel too cold. Anyway, once I drag myself out there, it always feels worth it by the time I get back.

So, it might be worth getting out there even if it is below 60. If it gets below freezing, then it's time for the trainer or the gym....

[owlice]

I ride down to about 30°F, but not in snow or bad weather. (So yes, I am a fair weather rider. ) This is my third season of winter riding and the first year I've had cold-weather tights (I have one pair); I still don't have a good riding jacket. The previous couple of winters, I made do with regular bike tights with sweats over them, and sometimes long silk underwear between the tights and the sweats. I layer on the top.

I rode yesterday and on Christmas; temp was about 45°F each day when I started out. I wore a turtleneck, a fleece pullover, and an insulted vest. Wool socks from REI, full-fingered gloves, buff under my helmet.

I looked ridiculous! The fleece was screaming pink, the vest is screaming orange, the buff, which I pull up over my face part-way when I start out, is red, the socks, which are pulled over the bottoms of my tights, are pale (not bright) lime green. At least the tights are black and not clashing with everything else! Oh, and the turtleneck? Pale pink yesterday. The gloves are black, white, and maroon; got 'em on sale, as I did pretty much everything else.

Unlike so many of you, I don't get any exercise except biking. I don't ride as often in the winter, and many of my rides are about an hour (so not very long rides, either), but I do ride. Riding makes me feel better; even when I drag myself out for a ride, I'm always glad I've ridden. (And if I'm not having fun after about six miles, I have no problem ditching the ride and going home.)

I think anyone who doesn't ride in winter shouldn't feel bad about it, especially if you're doing other things, even if the "other things" are eating cookies or reading a book! Life is too short to beat ourselves up over "shoulds." There's always spring, even if it's months away.

[redrhodie]

Owlice, it sounds like you looked cute, not ridiculous. And I'm sure you were visible! Good job!

[owlice]

hahaha, redrhodie!! Thanks. Yes, I'm definitely visible!! Sometimes the fleece is bright lavender, and sometimes it's burgundy; both of those look just dandy with the orange vest, too!

The screaming pink and orange together always reminds me of ice creams/sherbets for kids -- you know, the bubblegum and orange flavors that are intensely colored. I definitely show up! And if there's a chance I'll be out riding after dark, I'll often wear a hi-viz vest, too, in screaming green or yellow. I may be a fashion disaster, but I'm comfy, visible, and warm, which are the things that really matter to me.

[Jen12]

I looked ridiculous! The fleece was screaming pink, the vest is screaming orange, the buff, which I pull up over my face part-way when I start out, is red, the socks, which are pulled over the bottoms of my tights, are pale (not bright) lime green. At least the tights are black and not clashing with everything else! Oh, and the turtleneck? Pale pink yesterday. The gloves are black, white, and maroon; got 'em on sale, as I did pretty much everything else.

An ensemble like that really demands a photo.

[owlice]

An ensemble like that really demands a photo.

lol!!! Soooooooo not going to happen! (I'm sorry!)

[radacrider]

If our winter is anything like last year's, here in the pacific nw, then I'll be able to keep commuting through the winter. I don't do much riding outside of commuting. We had some cold mornings recently, but right now they are wet and upper 30s. If we do get ice or snow, I typically telecommute as it is just safer all around.