Winter Joy Riding?
 

Does anybody just go for a joyride in the winter? I was thinking about it today but it seems like such a drag...get all dressed up just to ride a few blocks and then come back....I coulnd't muster the energy (unless I had a lengthy destination like work)

Any of you joyride?

Dang near every day for most of us posting here. Today was 40 miles with serious winds. But I took out the CX bike so I was able ride where ever I wanted and had great fun despite the wind.

I always ride for joy.

Nearly every day. There is a state park near by that is all hills and forest. Even on the windiest of days there are sheltered stretches. Total loop is about 10 miles but the hills give me a workout. I would go nuts without my daily ride, weather be dammed. Unless its raining hard.

I try to plan my clothing so that I can wear it all day and not just for the ride. Today it was just above freezing so I wore longjohns under sweat pants on my legs and a wicking shirt, wool sweater, and shell on top. The sweater and shell come off when I come indoors.

25 miles today. Roads were clear and 30F. Better than summer in a lot of ways.

I'm with Sixty Fiver. If it weren't for the joy, I'd buy a car.

That said, I understand the thrust of your question. Since I switched library branches two years ago and now have a longer commute, year 'round I'm tending to ride less recreationally. And I'm pickier about the weather. I'll commute in anything, but won't ride recreationally in a storm or sketchy conditions any more.

I still like to get out at least once on the weekend for at least 25 miles or so, but this month the weather on this side of the lake hasn't been cooperative. (Winds gusting to 65 MPH (100 km/h) this weekend, a foot of snow on each of the last two.) OTOH, weekdays have been so nice that I'm taking the long way to work almost as much as I do in the summer.

Read your post this morning then I left for a great ride in beautiful sunshine with temperature just around freezing. I listened to music while riding and got to think about your post when Ode to joy from Beethovens 9. came on. Three moose crossed the road just in front of me while it was playing. Glaring ice made for a challenging but fun ride. http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/5357/p1020352n.jpg

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some of my best rides are winter joy rides;


http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/l...ecember012.jpg

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http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/l...ecember011.jpg

I've really come to treasure my subzero midnight rides. it's so quiet.

if silence could be made manifest, it would look like snowflakes captured in the glow from streetlamps.

If a cyclist doesn't get joy out of riding then something is wrong. If dressing up to go cycling is too much of a drag then maybe cycling just isn't for you... time to start looking for another hobby.

Riding just a few blocks isn't much joy.

I treasure the winter rides because of the solitude. This winter I got used to the idea that 4 miles of MUP from old town to the LaPorte was mine. Now that it is warming up and staying light longer I have to share again. Not that I'm selfish, but dodging dog walkers, teenagers 4 abreast, just traffic in general that are oblivious to courtesy. I'm going to miss the latenight rides in the cold and snow.

Around here, the trouble is getting on the trails before they get too busy when it's nice out. On crappy days - make the effort to bring your bike somewhere you LOVE to ride. Bombing the big hills and avoiding trees in icy conditions is a win win for me.

I agree.....

http://x58.xanga.com/2b9e5a070173628...o223846635.jpg

Went on a 23 mile ride today although it was more ride than joy. I needed to go to the dentist in town which was 11 miles one way according to my speedo. Also had to pick up some odds and ends in town. It was a balmy 28 degrees. I decided to wear shorts and sandals which worked pretty good for the trip to town. By the end of my appointment snow started falling. I picked up some socks which I needed anyway and rode back. As long as it's dry I don't need much covering my feet but my toosties get a little chilled once they are wet. Everything went pretty good except I did blow out a tube an eighth of a mile from my house on the way back.

Nice :) Looks like fun although I can't say I'd be brave enough to try it for myself.

Lets see, mountainbike and studded tires, fat bike, fat tires, all good.

Is that a speedometer on your handlebars? Looks like something I'd see on a motorcycle.

Yeah it's a cable driven speedometer.

I'm very much enjoying riding the narrow trails that pedestrians tap down through the snow. It takes a few days of foot-traffic to pack the snow enough for me to go over it without undue exertion, but then I'm not in the best shape, either. Were I lighter, I could float more, enabling me to get out there sooner, or to visit less-trafficked areas.

Most of this winter was unusually wet and warm(-ish). And I had lots of fun riding really icy bike paths. But now that it's gotten a bit snowier and I've switched out the studs for something more fat & knobby, I'm enjoying this new flavour of winter biking just as much.

As for riding in the streets, I'm afraid that filthy car slush and excessive road-salt take a lot of the fun out of it for me.

Thanks to the wonders of MOR SALT PLZ, the paths around here are clear even as it's snowing. Favorite so far is a 10-mile loop that runs out to a restored prairie. Unfortunately, since it's also the water treatment plant, taking pictures might land me in jail...

Not my video but cool nonetheless. Winter has it's own uniqueness.

I just did ! Gotta love a big snowfall. :)