Originally Posted by ParamountScapin

In the winter I ride to maintain so I can get going more quickly in the spring. Last two winters it has helped a great deal. One thing I did read and have adopted is to ride one's trainer first thing upon getting up. Blood sugar is lowest at this point and one burns fat more readily. Thus, I jump on the ole' trainer at 5:30 for 45-60 minutes before jumping in the shower. The recommended regime was that period of time at about 60% MHR. Some days it is a real struggle at 5:30. TV news is good for something.

That said, I don't like to do any hard riding before about 9-9:30 a.m. And the later the better. We do an evening ride at 5 p.m. twice a week when there is enough light and I really like it. Especially in the dead of summer when it is 90+ degrees. Allows these creaky old bones and muscles to move more easily, I guess. 50 miles at 20 mph in the paceline goes pretty quickly when its warm out. Not nearly so quick when its cold. Funny, though. They both take the same amount of time.