Spring - when do you get back outside?

[Artista]

Um... OK... Sorry. I was just excited about spring and thought others would be, as well. I'll keep my enthusiasm to myself, then.

I didn't mean this as a slam at all. I simply meant to point out that southerners' riding season IS winter. They'll be envious of us northerners riding all through the summer.

[indysteel]

I sure wish some of your enthusiasm would rub off on me, Velo. I'm feeling really blah about biking right now. I've really enjoyed my winter routine of running, yoga and resistance work and am not sure I'm ready for it to end/change. I'm looking forward to mountain biking, but road biking not as much. We'll see if it kicks on the first truly nice day of spring.

[goldfinch]

I ride in the winter in the south. I have had my two biggest mileage months ever this January and February. Most of March I am birding with my sister, who rides very little, then I am headed up north. I think March and April will be my down time. I backed off last October and November, when Minnesota stinks for riding. I cranked it up again with new excitement in Dec, Jan and Feb, and then plan to dial it back again for a couple of months. It helps keep me excited about riding to have the off time. I do have to ride enough this spring to be ready for a Metric Century in Minnesota on June 1. I did it last year and man it was cold. But it is a beautiful ride and I don't want to miss it.

[marni]

Living in Houston we don't really have a winter stoppage to our biking unless the wind and the rain get viscious. I have been off of my bike since Feb. 1 when a passing car kicked up a rock at me and I dodged into a deep Texas rumble strip and crashed. Nothing for me but a road rash all along the right side of my face and a totaled helmet with panel peeling back and lots of cracks. Lost consciousness but didn't spend any time in the Hospital. Since then it has been in the rapair shop. Fortunately, the frame is ok, as are the gear stack, pedals and cranks but it's taken them this long to get all the replacement bits, so I have new wheels, new aerobars, new chain, new brakes, new cables, new bar wrap etc. Got it back last week so my winter break is over, now if it only would stop raining.

My Bebe looks beautiful and almost like new, so now I'm back to seriously training for the Little Red Riding Hood in Utah in June which all four of us biking sisters will be riding in celebration of my 65th, wne and if it stops raining and blowing.

[Crankin]

Just to add that winter does not mean I go inside. While I may be on the trainer or at a spin class, I am also outside nordic skiing, snow shoeing, or hiking.
I can't stand being inside for too long.

[nuliajuk]

I'm not looking forward to spring melt, because it will be a mess. We had a lot of snow this winter. I get outside more during actual winter than in melt season, due to the high risk of crashing on wet ice (done it once, was off the bike for weeks with a torn acl).

[Kathi]

I'm outside almost every day of the week, except weekends, because I'm skiing. Alpine mostly but some xc. If we have a crappy (meaning no fresh snow) March and April then I'll start riding more. I'm not ready to end the ski season so I'm praying to the snow gods for a snowy spring. If we get a rainy May, which I'm hoping for, I'll use the trainer.

[Jolt]

Just to add that winter does not mean I go inside. While I may be on the trainer or at a spin class, I am also outside nordic skiing, snow shoeing, or hiking.
I can't stand being inside for too long.

Agreed...there's no reason to be stuck inside all winter (and allowing that to happen is a good way to turn into a real grouch!). Just different activities; I have been enjoying the snowshoeing and x-c skiing this year and not doing much running lately, because the trails have too much snow to run in and I just don't like road running as much. I've gotten out riding once so far this month...just a short ride to the local bike co-op where I have started volunteering. Still lots of snow and yuck on the side of the road, but it was OK on the mountain bike. Will need to look into getting a different saddle, I think--it wasn't comfortable last year and it certainly isn't comfortable this year either!

[TrekDianna]

I was able to get out and do 38 miles last weekend and 52 yesterday. We have a lull in the rain and beautiful high 50s low 60s weather!

[Kathi]

Living in Houston we don't really have a winter stoppage to our biking unless the wind and the rain get viscious. I have been off of my bike since Feb. 1 when a passing car kicked up a rock at me and I dodged into a deep Texas rumble strip and crashed. Nothing for me but a road rash all along the right side of my face and a totaled helmet with panel peeling back and lots of cracks. Lost consciousness but didn't spend any time in the Hospital. Since then it has been in the rapair shop. Fortunately, the frame is ok, as are the gear stack, pedals and cranks but it's taken them this long to get all the replacement bits, so I have new wheels, new aerobars, new chain, new brakes, new cables, new bar wrap etc. Got it back last week so my winter break is over, now if it only would stop raining.

My Bebe looks beautiful and almost like new, so now I'm back to seriously training for the Little Red Riding Hood in Utah in June which all four of us biking sisters will be riding in celebration of my 65th, wne and if it stops raining and blowing.

Happy 65th! I'll be celebrating mine in June, too. Possibly on Bike Nebraska. Sorry about your accident, glad your bike and you are ok.

[marni]

of course some of us here in the south ride all through the summer as well, heat, humidity and sweat puddles all over the place.

[WindingRoad]

I'm enjoying my gym workouts and mixing things up right now BUT... today was an awesome ride in almost 50 degree weather. I will probably start doing more regular outdoor rides when we have 45-50 degree days in March if we are lucky. I am gradually getting used to adjustments I made to my bike before I get too crazy out there. I want to make sure I don't cause myself some serious pain trying to work out some kinks.