Ugh, it is freakin cold outside. It has been cold at least for a few days now, so now even the basement has chilled down a bit. No shirtless roller workouts today for sure.

I am thinking of trying my hand at racing. My LBS, Cheshire Cycle, recommended the Plainville Spring Series criteriums. Back in the day, crits were my worst event, in fact the only time I ever puked for real was after the 5th time up the hill at the Phillips Andover criterium. Blech! Ever since then I have definitely preferred road races.

So what are the rides you are looking forward to when the weather breaks in the Springtime? I find that unless I have a very specific goal I cannot remain focused. So I need something in March/April to shoot for.

Racing is a lot of fun. And for once I've been able to spend time training - spent over 16 hours last week on the trainer, 14 hours (both on trainer and outside) the prior week. All this so I can race in March and afterwards.

Plainville is a great Series, and I can say that since I run the Bethel Spring Series about an hour away.

Because I'm the CT rep, I spoke with the promoter a lot over the last few years about his series, his ideas for it, and even gave him about 3 or 4 thousand extra numbers I had laying around from prior Bethel Series (hopefully saving him some money). I encouraged him to start the series when he approached me and he's been holding them, at a loss to him (i.e. he pays a lot of money to watch people race in Plainville and either complain to him or thank him for holding the race).

I even went to one of his races, recorded it, made a helmet cam clip, and posted a blog post about it:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=syun-GZtkYg

http://sprinterdellacasa.blogspot.com/2007/04/plainville-diamond-in-rough.html

His blog on the race series (which includes my post from above):
http://plainvillespringseries.blogspot.com/

And finally his new site:
http://plainvillespringseries.com/

Of course the Bethel Spring Series will start Sundays for the same weeks as well.

Hang in there, only about 4 or 5 more weeks,
cdr

i'm looking forward to any ride outside without having the need to bundle up like a bloomin Eskimo. i've managed to get in a few road rides on the beater, but i need more!
i'm too old, fat, slow for racing but i have a nice 50 mile ride from stafford to munson down to tolland and back to stafford that i can't wait to get on again. and then the thursday night beatdowns will start and everything will be good.

I have a mountain bike that I ride on the road when it's really cold out. The slower speed reduces the wind chill, and since I'm by myself on those days, I don't care how fast i go. It also helps climbing since each hill is effectively twice as long as it would be on a road bike.

my "beater" is a rigid framed mountian bike with slicks instead of knobbiies. it's still cold tho, and the downhills make my eyes water to the point that i can't see my front wheel.
hurry summer!

I have a mountain bike that I ride on the road when it's really cold out. The slower speed reduces the wind chill

I have one too, the only adaptation to "road riding" being that I keep the seat at road height and I have a longer, narrow position (like road). Fenders, lights, etc.

It helps that you have to pedal the thing on the flats since it barely coasts.

Having said that, I've been riding indoors for the past couple weeks.

cdr

I'm from the nw corner of CT (actually in MA). I will be doing the Plainville series and if all goes well, the Bethal series as well. I am an expert Mtn racer and did a handfull of cross races as a cat 3. But now I'm looking to move on to road racing and I have to start as a 5. The spring series are great ways to get some experience, and in my case bang off those 10 pesky cat 5 races. The goal is to get to 3 by the end of the season. See you all SOON!

I hate winter.

I hate winter.

+1


I'd move down south in a heartbeat......

....if I could talk the wife into it!

:D

I was thinking more along the lines of CA.....

I hate winter.

Honestly, what bugs me about winter more than the cold is the lack of daylight. I'd get out there in the cold for a little jaunt early in the morning or after work, but it's always dark, and cold + dark is only good if it is a two-part ride with a lot of beer in the middle (and I don't think my employers would appreciate my arriving to work drunk). That only leaves the weekends, and my selfish wife and children always insist on spending time with me then. ;)

I rode outside all last winter, the bulk of it at night. While I don't mind riding with the lights and reflective stuff (minus not being able to see black ice until you're on it), I am tired of the cold. I have no urge to do it this year, not to mention I sold my lighting setup :(.

Give me 84 and sunny with barely any wind, and I'm a happy camper.

Honestly, what bugs me about winter more than the cold is the lack of daylight.

+ 1 :mad:

....spent over 16 hours last week on the trainer...

Hi Aki, where are you finding the time to log that many trainer miles ??? Riding before and after work ? Or something else ?

Honestly, what bugs me about winter more than the cold is the lack of daylight. I'd get out there in the cold for a little jaunt early in the morning or after work, but it's always dark, and cold + dark is only good if it is a two-part ride with a lot of beer in the middle (and I don't think my employers would appreciate my arriving to work drunk). That only leaves the weekends, and my selfish wife and children always insist on spending time with me then. ;)

Yeah, me too, they actually want me home w/ them... what are they thinking??

So I spend quality time in the basement w/ my daughter while Im on rollers...... not a bad solution unless she decides to use me as a target for kickball, rollers really limit your ability to make evasive manuvers:rolleyes:;)

Yeah, me too, they actually want me home w/ them... what are they thinking??

So I spend quality time in the basement w/ my daughter while Im on rollers...... not a bad solution unless she decides to use me as a target for kickball, rollers really limit your ability to make evasive manuvers:rolleyes:;)

It's funny, all you guys talk about rollers, but for me, riding has none of the joy if I can't do it out in the real world. I definitely like the exercise, but (at least) half the pleasure comes from being out and about and seeing the world at the perfect pace - not so slow and boring as walking, but not so fast that you miss the nice details, like you do when you're driving.

Too freakin' cold to ride outside, makes a dirty mess of the bike, feels odd wearing a jacket & long pants w/ road shoes on etc. (I have no cycling specific cold weather clothes and no money to purchase them)

So I'll stick to the rollers, even though after 1/2 hour on them I am so bored and sweaty that I give up. I have no internal motivation even though cycling season is only a few months away.

Honestly, what bugs me about winter more than the cold is the lack of daylight. I'd get out there in the cold for a little jaunt early in the morning or after work, but it's always dark, and cold + dark is only good if it is a two-part ride with a lot of beer in the middle (and I don't think my employers would appreciate my arriving to work drunk). That only leaves the weekends, and my selfish wife and children always insist on spending time with me then. ;)


This winter hasn't been bad at all for riding, even in the early morning hours which are the only ones I have to ride. It takes a bit more motivation to get up at 5am from my warm bed and head out into the dark, cold morning but I'll take riding time where I can get it besides watching the sun creep up over the NYC skyline is wonderful. I don't get much time on the weekends either because my wife works the weekends so no day rides for me, only crack of dawn rides.

:(

Usually Im up and outside working by 0500, after a day out in the weather, Im not really motivated to get suited up for more, thats why I really like the rollers, I can keep a semblance of fitness while staying warm!!!!

Hi Aki, where are you finding the time to log that many trainer miles ??? Riding before and after work ? Or something else ?

I was laid off Dec 6th. Idle time. Posting a lot on BF hahaha. Luckily I bought all my new bike gear (save wheels) before that happened. I sold off a bunch of wheels to buy my DV46Cs.

Working on un-burning out on work. Was in finance-based IT, 6 days a week, virtually from 7 or 8 till 8 or 9 each day, and most Sunday mornings 7-12:30 and evenings 4:30 - who knows, with people who need things fixed "NOW". Hopefully making a career change - the only time I want to look at a computer is to use software on it.

No house though (sold the one we moved from) so no rush on working right away. Also that's the reason for my dungeon set up - we live in a small/inexpensive apartment.

Hopefully I can ride okay based on this training. If I still ride horribly that would really suck.

In CA for my annual training camp,
cdr/Aki

.. Was in finance-based IT, 6 days a week...

I do something similiar for Health Net....not as IT though but within the Recovery area....mostly MS Access, vba, alot of ODBC stuff into the data warehouse.....



In CA for my annual training camp,
cdr/Aki

Where in CA and is this an organized camp ??

Usually Im up and outside working by 0500, after a day out in the weather, Im not really motivated to get suited up for more, thats why I really like the rollers, I can keep a semblance of fitness while staying warm!!!!

Yeah...... + 1

I'll do cold, and I'll do dark....but I ain't doing both at the same time.......

I do something similiar for Health Net....not as IT though but within the Recovery area....mostly MS Access, vba, alot of ODBC stuff into the data warehouse.....

Where in CA and is this an organized camp ??

I was setting up servers (Linux), putting proprietary software on them, and then making sure the software was working well.

Not organized. I jokingly called it my training camp one year and it sort of stuck. This is my fourth one, a little north of San Diego, Carlsbad area. I stay with friends and train. They ride a bit but I usually go out on my own.

cdr

But I'm not sick of winter at all. I ride all winter. I like it.

This is my fourth one, a little north of San Diego, Carlsbad area. I stay with friends and train. They ride a bit but I usually go out on my own.
cdr

.....still beats dodging black ice, sand & salt here in CT.....;)

.....still beats dodging black ice, sand & salt here in CT.....;)

Certainly does :)

Problem is that I seem to always get sick here. This time is no exception - I'm feeling deathly ill today after a very long and seemingly fine day yesterday.

cdr

It's been as good a winter for cycling as I could hope for. I bought a trainer in the fall and it's still in the box. I get out early Sat & Sun morning with a group and sneak out at lunch a few times during the week.

I got out on the bike for the first time since early November and it was completely re-engergizing and depressing at the same time. It was re-energizing because it made me realize how much I love being outside on a bicycle, and that one hour in the saddle goes by so quickly compared to a 1/2 hour on the trainer.

It was somewhat depressing because there was definitely a combination of aerobic and strength loss this winter. Riding rollers, even at 90% max HR, is just not enough. I did my hill training route twice around, the first time I went up in 39x25, what is mostly a 8% grade, and was feeling pretty strong. The second time I went around in one gear harder, my usual end of season gear for this hill, (I think 39x23, but could be 24) and my heart rate went through the roof. I was at 95% about 3/4 of the way up. Ouch. At least the recovery was quick.

One other thing about the rollers that really impressed me, though. My bike handling skills have improved dramatically - from the quickness of clip-in, to the unconscious ability to stay right next to the white line without wobbling.

The other thing is that I found that riding around in 39 - 42 degrees is quite comfortable. I had shorts and leg warmers, and then 3 layers on top w/ fleece gloves and was completely toasty as long as I was pedaling. The descents were a little chilly, but I kept those in check anyway because there were wet leaves, sand and quite a few puddles.

One other thing about the rollers that really impressed me, though. My bike handling skills have improved dramatically - from the quickness of clip-in, to the unconscious ability to stay right next to the white line without wobbling.

Ive noticed the same thing, My reaction time to obstacles etc. is much better since Ive been on rollers regularly, also, I can concentrate better on riding, cadence etc. when on rollers as oposed to a trainer.

Still as you say, nothing beats the real thing!!

Riding in a straight line just takes practice, relaxation, and being smooth. You really get to put that into motion when you're riding in the middle of a pack of 70 other cyclists. I've never ridden rollers, and while I'm sure that they help, I don't really have a use for them. I tend to space out too much indoors :)

Yep, there is no substitute for riding outside. I did a winter before of mostly trainer stuff, and going outside was a rude awakening. Then I did a winter of mostly riding all outside, and there was a big difference. Unfortunately, I sold my lighting setup, so I'm pretty much limited to the trainer during the week.

I miss 80 degree weather.

I miss 80 degree weather.

Easy there! How 'bout 65 or so? Although frankly, today feels like an early spring day, what with the rain and the warm temperatures. If it weren't for the fact that I was wearing a suit under a raincoat and rain pants, I would say that the five miles I just rode to get from one work location to another were pretty enjoyable!

55 deg F here in s nj, cranked 15.6 miles in 1 hr with commuter. felt good!!
most likely will not be able to ride tomorrow, got to go to delaware. looks like 65 - 66 deg F predicted.
no problem riding here, it's turning into florida or something!

You know, it's not the cold, the light rain or more....

THE DAMN PROBLEM with New England is the teaser days. That's what makes it tough. Going out this past sunday and doing a simple and easy 20 miles in the sun, 45 degree temps and clean roads...

And that's NOT the problem...

The problem is that now the 30 degrees and cloudy or light rain just keep me a stray.... It's part of new england, but if you're going to throw the nice day at us, give us at least 3-4 weeks worth. ;o)

Easy there! How 'bout 65 or so? Although frankly, today feels like an early spring day, what with the rain and the warm temperatures. If it weren't for the fact that I was wearing a suit under a raincoat and rain pants, I would say that the five miles I just rode to get from one work location to another were pretty enjoyable!

Nah, 65 is too cold. Give me 83 and sunny, and I'm a happy camper....pretty much the perfect cycling temp; keeps ya warm (even on the fastest descents), but doesn't kill you as long as it's not wicked humid.

Different stokes for different folks, I guess! My favorite temperature is 65 - 70 degrees as it is warm enough to wear shorts and a short sleeved jersey without knee/arm warmers, and yet cool enough not to really sweat. Once it gets into the 80s then it starts getting a bit warm. Regardless, I like cycling when it is warm as I *rarely* feel the heat due to the wind blowing over my body. This is one of the reasons why I can't run, since I overheat very easily and you can only take over just *so* many clothes to cool down. :)

Snowing yet again in Mass today. Tired of riding a stationary.

I've been out a few times this year so far, one day it was over 60, I think this was on Presidents Day, the other times in the 40s. I can really feel the difference when it is cold. This past Sunday, a nice day in the 40s, I did my usual loops of Prospect Park and each time the little hill slowed me down. On the warm day I went up in my big ring without any problem. At least I got out, considering it had snowed on Friday.

I only get on the trainer once a week for a compu-trainer class. At least I have company doing that.

Just another few weeks of cold. Since I have lights now, something I haven't had before, I can go after work on those first kind of warm days in March. Prospect Park at night is actually nice. I guess DST is also earlier now, so maybe I won't need the lights for very long.

FYI We just swept the Bethel course, looks good for tomorrow March 2. Even did an hour around the course to "test" it. It checked out :)

cdr

sure... you guys from southern Ct. rub it in that your roads have been fine... Why do I say that, because even though Ct. is a small state, us stuck up here in the northwest corner are just not as lucky, ice almost every day, sand, salt, snow... Sure, we could drive 45 minutes to get down there and ride and then 45 minutes back but life just won't allow that. So we suffer through, hit the training series feeling out of shape and by October we're rockin' and rollin'... LOL

lol I live in Simsbury, just a bit further away from Bethel than, say, Collinsville :)

cdr

I'm lucky to have a few daylight hours to ride a week, and I've been making the most of it, getting in about 75 a week for most of the winter. My winter trainer is a mountain bike with fenders, cruiser tires, and a single speed.

The thing that bums me out about riding in the winter is how slow you go. Riding my winter bike (slow anyway) there's a two mph difference on between 25 degrees and 50 degrees. I don't know if it's because the oxygen is harder to metabolize, the windbreaker I wear acts like a sail, or what, but it sucks to be out there slugging along at 16mph.

GB

sure... you guys from southern Ct. rub it in that your roads have been fine... Why do I say that, because even though Ct. is a small state, us stuck up here in the northwest corner are just not as lucky, ice almost every day, sand, salt, snow... Sure, we could drive 45 minutes to get down there and ride and then 45 minutes back but life just won't allow that. So we suffer through, hit the training series feeling out of shape and by October we're rockin' and rollin'... LOL

For real! I sometimes can't believe the difference in climates in our little state: Hartford (where I live) can be choked with snow, but when I drop my kids at daycare in Middletown just 16 miles south, there's barely any snow, and when I have to work in Bridgeport, it's all rain. (Why do the kids go to school in M'town? Wife's work gets subsidized daycare. Why do I live in Hartford and work in Bridgeport? Bought house before got job.)

No I'm not quite sick of winter yet. I'll be skiing this weekend 4/20-4/21. This is the best spring skiing in years and most mountains still have incredible coverage. Even Southern Vermont ski areas may be open into May this year. Cycling will have to wait at least another week or two.