Winter Cycling - Confessions of an ex-winter cyclist

So, the "fair weather" cycling season started again for me about a month ago. But I used to be a winter cyclist bad*ss like all of you...

When winter came last year I wussed out... I think it's a combination of a few things:
-Got a bad cold as soon as winter started. Was knocked off my feet for 2 solid weeks.
-Montreal's winter was really crazy we hadn't had this much snow in 30 years...
-my office moved to a downtown area, and the streets I'd have to take are a bit crazy in the summer, worse in the winter when snow and ice make the streets ever smaller.
-I fell on my chin at the end of last winter and had to go to the hospital to get glued up. I was trying to wait till the end of winter to buy new studded tires (mine were all worn out). So I guess Ice + bike seems a bit scary to me.

So as a result, I gained 25-30 pounds, winter was hard (as opposed to fun), and I am soooo out of shape... I know I will climb that hill back, but instead of getting in better shape every winter like the previous 3, I got back to the same state I was 2 winters ago...

I guess when I'm trying to say is: If you cycled in the winter and you can still go on, don't stop!

I think I will find a way next winter.

I am hoping to be an all year cycelist this year.

however since i was i stayed in shape by joining a martial arts class. Sparring is one of the most intense workouts i have ever done

I don't cycle in winter now, or ever. I just started cycling again with the nice spring weather we've been having - for about 2 weeks now. I've had no problems, and I didn't gain any weight over the winter. You don't have to cycle all winter if you do other things. I walked an hour a day 6 days a week, and I used the exercycle every few days. I don't ski, but that would be a good alternative, x-country that is. I think it may actually be better to take a break from cycling over the winter, as long as it's not just sitting and eating while watching TV.

I don't cycle in the winter for two reasons -- first, ice; second, dark. Unfortunately the street I live on is a county highway where people go 55 mph past my house with no shoulder.
I've actually been off my bike for a couple of seasons due to ankle surgery and injuries, but am REALLY looking forward to getting back on an two-wheeling it to work!

I'm an ex-winter cyclist too .... winter is almost over, so I'm a spring ... maybe even a summer cyclist now!! :D

Of course, I'll be an ex-summer cyclist come next October, and will be back to being a winter cyclist again.

Ya have to feel safe when you're riding, more so in the winter. I figured I took the bus to work less than 15 times (from Dec. 1 to end of March) - two reasons, 1st: I rode the bus was due to icy conditions (may put studs on my bike next winter - but even still - I ride in busy city traffic so the studs would be more for my commuting to stores and get around - I'm imagining ----- and the other 2nd: was due to excess snow. I'm riding next to parked cars - so the plow has left a good 1-1/2 feet of slush/snow or ice build-up - and now that's to the right of me - and am pacing two lanes of heavy traffic and I am really riding in the one lane - or being "pushed off" into that excess snow/ice garbage. I've given up taking up a lane in busy city traffic - it's not beneficial to me at all and after a road rage incident a couple years ago - not for me (I will however take a lane at other times - other than rush hour in the heart of downtown).

Ya have to feel safe. I am normally an aggressive rider - but even I get the eebie-jeebies - and that's when I know it's not the best time to ride.

Car free for 8+ years and still going strong.

So as a result, I gained 25-30 pounds, winter was hard (as opposed to fun), and I am soooo out of shape...

When I started cycling in the winter of 2006/2007 I was over 400 lbs. I laugh at 30 pounds. It should not stop you from getting out and riding. The key is simple--get out and ride. Or even push if you have to. But give yourself no alternative.