Winter Training

[SnappyPix]

Now that summer is drawing to a close and the days are getting shorter, I wondered how everyone trained in Autumn/Winter?
It's depressing that the motivation is still there, but the daylight hours aren't!

Just wondered if people substituted cycling with more cross training (ie running, swimming, etc), and/or longer rides at the weekend?

I'm really starting to get back into cycling, and can't bear the thought that I won't be able to ride my usual routes during the week as most of the roads are unlit.

What's everyone's plans for the upcoming months?

I'm hoping that giving the spinning more oomph, and some good weekend rides, should see me through winter, but I can't help feeling sad that I can't get out in the mornings.
I'm even considering taking longer lunch breaks at work, and finding routes I can do from my office, for an hour or so!
I'd be interested to hear how everyone else is planning to carry on their training once the dark nights set in?

[KkAllez]

Fortunately I live in west Texas and can pretty much cycle year round. I do plan on lifting weights as I've not done that regularly in awhile. The main problem I'll have is shorter days and most cycling will be on Thursday and Fridays as I have clinicals from 6:30 am to 2:30 pm and on weekends. Monday through Wednesday will be a bust. I'll leave in the dark for school and get home in the dark.

I'll have 20 days in December between semesters and that is a good time to get in some serious riding. I really shouldn't need to bundle up until January and February, our brutal time of the year. May not cycle much then.

[Susan126]

I'm lucky also as I live in the pacific northwest where our winters are mild (rain instead of snow). On a nice weekend day (sunny) I usually do a road ride and on the other weekend day I ride my mountain bike. ON weekdays I get home around four and my hubby rolls in around 5:30. On Tuesdays we meet up with a group of mountain bike friends at six and do a night ride. I also do weights at the gym with my daughter. We have a trainer and every fall we sign up with her. She gets us through the winter months nicely!



Sue

[emily_in_nc]

I live in NC where winters are usually fairly temperate. However, my asthma flares up (and my nose runs like crazy) below about 55 degrees, so I generally ride inside if it's to be colder than that. But as often as possible I ride outside on the weekends. I have plenty of cool-weather cycling clothes and just bundle up and go. It is often hard to leave the nice warmth of the fire at home, though! From time to time we'll have unseasonably warm days (like 70 degrees in January!), and those are the ones I really enjoy. Nothing like wearing shorts in the winter!

On weeknights once daylight savings time is over, I put my bike on an indoor trainer and do Spinervals videos about 2-3x per week. I have about 5 of them now. They're a great workout! It's not the same as riding outdoors, but I found that I didn't lose too much fitness this past winter doing them.

Emily

[Adventure Girl]

This winter is going to be tougher for me because my gym eliminated all the spin classes and sold the bikes. I was thinking about joining another gym just for the spin. And I just bought two Spinervals DVDs. I'll give them a shot. Several gals here have recommended them.

Here in California the weather allows me to ride all year, but I don't road ride as much (and I never road ride in the rain). But I mountain bike more. A little moisture helps with traction off-road.

When it starts getting dark earlier, I go on night rides once a week or so (mountain bike). Sometimes we get as many as maybe 15 riders out there. It's really fun. Trails that you ride all the time are completely different in the dark! I know there aren't that many mountain bikers on this forum, but for those of you out there, do you night ride? If you haven't, you should give it a try!

[Trek420]

sigh, don't remind me, the days are getting shorter. The weather is great here but as soon as we "fall back" it's hard to ride to work because it's dark when I head home, so I'll ride on weekends, spin during the week. Also will catch up on Aikido good for my range of motion and (G** forbid) falls off the bike ;-)

So I'll be indoors on a musty mat. You'll hear the periodic whine and sniffle when I'm training and a cyclist (dojo is on a popular bike route) rides by.

also ride the cycleops at home and...of course...walk dog

sigh...who says we don't have seasons here!

[cathy]

Pilates is great for winters. Helps strength & flexibilty.

[pedalfaster]

XC skiiiiiingggggg baybeeee

For those of you who hate snow, send it my way! I'm greedy.


I also run (mostly trails), swim (indoors) and mtb a bit more. Night rides rule (and no cars to hit ya!).

I'm lucky to have an art-job that doesn't begin til 10 a.m. (or later) so I still have the mornings to do my thing. Little $$$, but lots of free-time.

[Biking Chick]

I will continue to ride my road bike until the sleet is starting to form on my helmet!

After that I'll be biking on the trainer at least four days a week ... I try and not wish my life away but by the middle of January when the weather here in northern Wisconsin is cold cold and colder still I'll be wishing for that first sign that maybe we'll get an early spring.

But in the meantime hubby and I snow shoe which is terrific for keeping in shape and one of the pleasures of living in the 'north woods'.

Cindy
Ride LIke A Girl!

[SnappyPix]

It's great to hear of so many women undettered by the elements!
Having the right gear definitely helps; I started off looking like Michelin woman, had so many layers of clothing, then gradually discovered proper technical gear and now wear only a few layers, but am always toasty warm (but sadly, my bank balance is now much lighter too!).
Compared to some States in the US, it doesn't get nearly as cold where I live, but we have a few weeks of snow, with no ploughs or gritters, which makes commuting interesting! Hard pack/ice and bends don't mix, no matter how careful you try to keep that front wheel aligned! And SPDs - great fun trying to get your footing with those! I spent most of the time with my arse on the floor last year, but was still unrepentent!
When it gets really bad I ditch the bike and walk to work - but it's sooooo frustrating - walking is such an inefficient & time-consuming mode of transport!
Got myself some fab new lights for the dark too - can't wait to blind the cars with those - Cateye EL500 for the front and the LD600 for the rear. Stupidly tried out the front light by staring into it (doh!) and couldn't see for about 5 minutes, so think it should light up the road nicely!

[ragbrai40]

For me it's spinning. I did 3-4 classes last year all winter and it really helped me stay in biking shape. This year however I've committed to teaching the class at 5:45 a.m. (I'm nuts) so I don't have any excuses!

I'm also starting tri training this fall and will be swimming, running and weight training. Hopefully will be able to bike through Dec, we'll see how the weather cooperates!

[Pedal Wench]

My plan is to ride a stationary bike alternating with an incline treadmill on weekday mornings, and then bundle up as much as possible and go for long rides both weekend days. That's my plan, but we'll see if I stick with it!

[Twice Daily]

I'm in Salt Lake City and between October and April it's basically impossible to ride outdoors...it's so cold and the roads are slushy and covered with ice melt chemicals, gravel and salt...

There are nice days tucked in here and there when one can ride, but for the most part I don't even bother...

I anticipate the upcoming winter will be full of Spinning, treadmill running, Master's swimming classes, snowshoeing and skiing...

I have a cross bike and hope that I'll be good to go through the fall...

[fultzie]

generally i prop the rear wheel of my road bike up on a trainer and spin in front of the TV... my dorm's pretty tiny and the trainer is pretty noisey, but my roomie is a good sport! i should try those spivervals DVDs, though... watching Food Network is a bit masochistic (and not as productive), eh?
I also do yoga, weight training, and swimming... was thinking about trying out kick-boxing this year too. has anyone tried that?
some of the guys on my team ride through snow and ice-- no thanks! i'm afraid i'd hit a slick spot and wreck my ankle or knee, or worse- my bike!

[caligurl]

i'm in socal.. so i can pretty much ride outside year round. the only thing that will prevent it will be that it get's dark by 5 p.m.

so i can either ride outside in the dark.. or set up the trainer either with some spinervals (that i plan to purchase) or while watching soaps or other shows!

i'll still be able to ride most weekends unless it rains or gets unbearable windy (it tends to do that here in the desert!)

i'm already preparing my winter wardrobe! just need gloves and earwarmers.. oh.. and toe/shoe covers!