Training & Nutrition - Indoor trainer vs riding in the cold

I live in TX and winters tend to be somewhat mild until Jan and then things get better in late March. Is a trainer worth the investment for two months or should I just bundle up and ride in the cold?

I vote for bundle up.

I rode every day in the winter, unless it was like -15 F. Then I would just walk or not go out at all. If you layer correctly, I'm sure you'll be able to deal with the cold. I don't think your winters get as cold as it does in Chicago- in which case, you can certainly get some good clothing and layer up and get out there!

Koffee

Hi,
I think these are great for riding in the cold

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=137&subcategory=1209&brand=&sku=8875&storetype=&estoreid=

Another vote for bundle up. Get some warm tights, neoprene booties, warm gloves, a thin jacket, and a balaclava. This is enough to ride down to about freezing. We usally have fairly mild winters, too, and I was surprised how effective this stuff was at keeping me warm enough. What I really didn't expect is that I really enjoy riding in cool weather.

Trainers are a last resort, IMO. ;)

I agree with the two previous posts, i'd rather spend $150 on winter gear than a decent trainer for a few months. After riding inside you'll get real bored, real quick.

I'll go another direction, depending on what your goals are on the bike. A trainer is not just good for riding during bad weather, but can also be a good training tool for those times when you want to get a specific workout done without fear of interuption. In the middle of a max effort interval it kind of sucks when you have to stop for a red light, or stop spinning and slam on the brakes because a car cuts you off, etc.

If that isn't a concern I'd say bundle up.

Andrew

In the middle of a max effort interval it kind of sucks when you have to stop for a red light, or stop spinning and slam on the brakes because a car cuts you off, etc.

Unfortunately, this kind of bad driving happens in all seasons. :( When you're riding in all weather on the roads trying to do max efforts, you'll often have to stop for red lights too. It's not a winter phenomenon.

I think that nashbar link ought to set him up on his journey towards colder weather riding. It would be interesting to hear from ChrisL, as his colder winters are probably the equivalent of the less severe part of a Texas winter.

Koff

I am very interested in this, as I live next door to Koffee in Iowa and our winters are the same. I have thought that I want to get a trainer but I keep hearing everyone getting board out of their minds on them. So what is it like in the winter... or Late fall early Spring.. I have bought some winter riding gear.. and want to ride but it sucks because of the Daylight hours I wont be able to do anything during the week and I want to stay active.... so what should I do?? Get a trainer and ride outside?

Thanks
chaz

I acutally plan on getting a trainer and riding outdoors in the cold. I just want to do much more riding than I could stand to do out in the cold, so I'm opting for the trainer so I can still work on staying in the saddle 3- 4 hours per session, and then riding outside anyway just because I want to stay used to the idea of riding outside- plus I commute anyway, so I always have to ride outside, unless it's dangerously cold.

Koffee

We have similar winters in Nor Cal. I have a trainer but I only use it as a last resort. I'd much rather be out in the cold; just make sure you have good gloves.

I bought a wind trainer early on in my cycling days. I used it one winter, and was miserable. I found it easier to go to the gym and do the exercise bikes there, than to climb on my bike at home.

I'd gladly trade the money I spent on the trainer for the same amount in winter gear.

And I'm looking forward to some threads on what to get for winter apparel.

There is no trainer like the real thing.:) Get out and ride.

There is no trainer like the real thing. Get out and ride.

True,nothing kicks your butt like a real hill! But one thing is the amount of time it takes to get dressed if you want to workout before leaving for work. Another, what if it's raining or snowing and dark to boot? I don't want to ride in that. I like the idea of the Kreitler Rollers with the "headwind" device.

FXjohn

I acutally plan on getting a trainer and riding outdoors in the cold.

It sounds like you are going to take a trainer and set it outside and ride it, with snowflakes coming down...haha. We know what you mean Koffee, just kidding :D

FXjohn

I have a trainer, and I use it two or three times a week (this year I plan on 2x) in the winter. Living in Wisconsin, it can get cold, but that's not what bothers me; I will not ride once the first layer of salt or sand is set down on the roads. It is hazardous and messy. That goes for spring as well, I will not ride until a good rain washes away all the road salt (and sand).
Ya a trainer sucks, but I also trade up with going to a spinning class at the Y. I do find that the trainer has helped me greatly this past year to increase my cadence and my pedal stroke. The ability to safely and constantly monitor technique is one big plus to using a trainer, and why I will endure the tedium that is indoor training again this year.
Also it is easier to train at a specific heartrate as well (if you are into hard core data tracking and stuff...).:D

Well I guess that I have enough room down in my basement to set the trainer up in front of the Big Screen... It cant be that bad to spin away while watching some good movie?? can it:D

Originally posted by FXjohn
It sounds like you are going to take a trainer and set it outside and ride it, with snowflakes coming down...haha. We know what you mean Koffee, just kidding :D

FXjohn

Actually, you're right on the mark! We have a bike room outside that I pay good money for, but no one ever uses, and there's quite a bit of room to set up a trainer. So I will lock my trainer in the room, and during the day, I'll be jumping on the trainer and riding to my heart's content outside- some days, I'll leave the door open when I get to sweating up a storm too, so no need for a fan or anything. They even have electrical outlets, so I'll bring my radio and a small television down there too and plug it all in. O joy! I'm ready! :D

Koffee

Originally posted by FXjohn
True,nothing kicks your butt like a real hill! But one thing is the amount of time it takes to get dressed if you want to workout before leaving for work. Another, what if it's raining or snowing and dark to boot? I don't want to ride in that. I like the idea of the Kreitler Rollers with the "headwind" device.

FXjohn :) Light snow or rain has not been a problem for me with my lighting system and 8 flashing blinkers.
The cold temps? I hardly ever use more than 2 layers possibly 3 when the temp gets to -10f.But everybody is different on how much cold and crap they can handle.:)
I do 13 mile commute just to teach a spinning class.:eek:

Light snow or rain has not been a problem for me with my lighting system and 8 flashing blinkers.
The cold temps? I hardly ever use more than 2 layers possibly 3 when the temp gets to -10f.But everybody is different on how much cold and crap they can handle.
I do 13 mile commute just to teach a spinning class.

I can handle the cold temps I go up to the UP of MI to snowmobile, but the ice and the salt on the roads are a pain. I do have a specialized lighting system I bought on sale now to extend my season a lot. When it's crisp, cold, and the sun is shining I enjoy it alot more....especially the quietness.

FXjohn

Originally posted by FXjohn
I can handle the cold temps I go up to the UP of MI to snowmobile, but the ice and the salt on the roads are a pain. I do have a specialized lighting system I bought on sale now to extend my season a lot. When it's crisp, cold, and the sun is shining I enjoy it alot more....especially the quietness.

FXjohn :) I just use my beater bike(Trek 6000) in the winter. This year is the fourth rebuild of her in 4 years and maybe her last.:(

Trainer's suck if you're watching uninspiring TV. I bought some Spinervals tapes and now I really like using the trainer when it's raining, deathly cold or I want the video-specific workout. Like some others have said you can really hone your pedalling skills and don't have to do all the prep work for heading out into traffic. And it's safer.

Still, you're in Texas--not the great white north like me--so I'd stay out on the roads as long as I could. If an ice storm hits, head to the local bike shop for a trainer.:beer:

When I was in Indiana I rode most of the winter outdoors. Now that I am in NY I have not. The piles of snow and the abundant cars don't make for a good combination. If there was not so much darn snow around here I probably would, but it dose not seem to go away until April. I used the trainer last year from Dec -April. This year I'm getting a TV for the basement. Just happen to have taped the Giro and Tour from OLN. That will make the rides more inspiring.:D

I try to commute to work for as long as I can stand it. Usually by the end of Nov early Dec I chicken out and whip out the trainer. I try to spin 3 x a week but again the tedium makes me want to get out and ride sooner.

Last year, I started riding again in Jan during our worst cold snap in T.O. in years. Man it sucked. But once I got moving it wasn't too bad, so I stuck with it. I found that I wasn't really going for speed, but concentrating more on tempo and keeping a steady candence. Also it never stopped snowing and one time during the middle of a snow storm I bailed and slid into a curb. It was actually kinda fun.

This year, if I can get my butt in gear, I have plans to build up ,my old Rocky Mountain Cirrus into the ultimate winter beater. A real single speed Frankenbike with flat pedals, 26" wheels, skinny 1" tires, aero bars, linear brakes w/ Tektro TT levers on the ends. She's gonna be ugly. :D

I have a theory - with no scientific backing - just observation.

Exercise out of doors, in the cold air helps keep colds and flue to a minimum. I think that breathing big gulps of cold air is good for you - maybe because germs die when the cold air hits them.

I agree that the enemy in the winter, isnt the cold. It is the muck on the roads. If you are in any area where the streets stay relatively clean, then ride outdoors. Here the roads get very slippery with sand and black ice. They dont clean the roads around here in the winter either, so the gravel and garbage piles up on the riding paths.