a Clyde in winter
 

(first off, no snarky comments from the California/fair-weather bunch please)

I lost 40 pounds last spring and summer doing my daily commute (26m RT) and the occasional weekend (half/metric/full) century. more than the pounds I dropped, though, cycling gave me energy and confidence. I continued it into the fall and winter, hoping for similar results.

but the opposite has happened. even though I loaded up on studded tires, Lake winter boots, Showerspass raingear, etc., winter cycling has been misery. my usual 60-minute trip to work has become 75 or 80 given the plowed snow blocking traffic, the need to slow down for ice, added resistance of studded tires, not to mention the time it takes to dress up. moreover, when I arrive I'm not energized but exhausted, and I frequently get headaches that last all day even though I'm hydrating well.

worse, I find myself ravenously hungry when I bike in the cold. I'm sure I'm burning more calories, but I end up consuming those and more. I've put 10# back on in the last few months, which really sucks. I've tried sticking to various eating plans, but I"m just too hungry to follow through.

between the weight and the wait, I think I'm done until spring. I might put on some miles using the trainer, but I just don't think it's worth it anymore. sometimes I think the only reason I keep going is to get that "wow, you rode today!" reaction from my co-workers but that's a false economy.

and wouldn't you know it, 3" of new snow this morning... arrgh.

Yeah, if it's not fun anymore then hang it up for a while. There's no point in torturing yourself and burning out before the good weather shows up. Trainers work for burning calories too. I've been getting in a few short rides here and there in preparation for spring, but I took a bit of a spill on some black ice this week; other than some scratches and a sore hip I wasn't hurt but it did make it crystal clear that it's not worth the risk. I could have been going a lot faster, there could have been a car there to kill me. I got lucky, I can wait a few more weeks (or at least long enough for the temp to rise a bit).

I've never been good at braving the cold, mess and dangers of winter riding. 25 years ago, when I was riding the most, I would go out with the local club on their new year's ride, but that was about the extent of it.

Rest is good. I decided to take it easy until spring. It's driving me nuts (well more nuts) But I need the downtime.

Not that it has anything to do with this, but I grew up in Dedham and recently moved to the Cape from Westwood. :thumb:

All of my winter riding is on the trainer, I think it will probably stay that way. Another month and some outdoor rides can start taking place again.

Nice job on the 40lbs!:thumb:

Now you have to figure a way to maintain the weight without riding until Spring. Backsliding is something I have always had a problem with and when I stop riding it worries me, but I stay on a solid maintenance diet and all is good...except I tend to get migraines when I don't exercise so that's when I'm glad I can ride year round for the most part. Please note...that was not a "snarky California fair weather" comment. :D

Right. So, I'm blessed that I no longer live in either snarky southern California, nor in the bitter cold of the north.

We get four seasons here in the Carolinas (five if you count 'hurricane'), but our winters are mild enough that I can ride just about all the time. It might be cold, but we typically only have a few days a year when snow/ice/wintry mix make the roads hazardous. And, with it only happening a few days a year, my company is cool with people working from home.

IMO, if you want to solve your winter riding issues, you don't need to buy a trainer; you need to buy luggage.

Darn fair weather California people!:mad:

Do we burn more calories (keeping warm) by cycling in the cold? I tend to sweat whether it's 20 F or 90 F.

Before I moved I had a 33-mile round-trip. I would still ride in the winter, but only 2 or 3 days a week. Maybe riding less often in the winter is the answer.

I now have a 7-mile round-trip, and ride everyday. I still prefer warmer weather. I get grumpy if I don't ride.

I ended last year's season early with a century in September. I love biking but I was bored and tired. Despite the backslide in weight I don't regret it. Its February and my enthusiasm is burning hot again. Absence makes the heart grow fonder :-)