Originally Posted by
eyeclan
So the colder seasons are coming up, and I was wondering what most of you do to keep up your fitness. I've tried trainers and am wary of rollers, simply because the greatest joy of cycling for me is to feel the road and get out there. Running could help with cardiovascular performance, but what I'm really worried about is maintaining the strength in my legs (which I have only really started to get).
PS, I'm pretty cheap and paranoid, and I don't really want to use my entry level road bike when the salt and slush hits the road. Any ideas?
I'm 52 miles south of you by bike. I ride my MTB with studded tires on snow, hard pack and ice. It's easy on the ice with the studs, lakes are a blast. It improves your bike handling skills and in spring you are even stronger. Pedaling in 5" of snow makes strong legs fast. The reduced speed and increased effort make the MTB warmer than a road bike, and hot and sweaty in snow in the woods. Similar to cross country skiing. It will make you a faster, better, roadie. And it's not boring.
The last photo is my friend holding our two bikes without studs on a lake. When the day is warm the top of the ice can have better traction.
