The dark is even more of an issue than the temps alone. Dark and gloomy is a downer. After the change to standard time we concentrate on short hard rides during the week. We have a short out and back near our house and we generally do some intervals there. This helps keep us warm and we can do them in the dark on wet roads if needed. The full fenders on the 650B tandem we recently built helps with this a great deal and the large tires also help with road issues that can come up quickly on you in the dark. On weekends we try to ride as long as the weather permits but cold is an issue for my stoker. If the sun is out we can usually make a longer ride in the cold.
This is the opposite of the traditional long slow winter rides but the guys that ride those don't have a normal day job. The intervals do a good job maintaining some fitness. Riding the trainer is the last resort.
Last edited by waynesulak; 12-02-15 at 08:54 AM.