MikeRides

After a fun-filled summer of over 1200 miles ridden, 100 miles or so jogged/walked and over 60 pounds lost, I am faced with the upcoming winter months. The weatherman just reported sub 30 degree weather for the next couple days with snow showers, there's no way I'm going to have the motivation to ride in that but on the other hand I think the second week of November is a bit early to store the bike for the winter. What would you do?

Before any recommends a trainer, I've got one, but have only used it once or twice. For some reason I despise riding a bike and not going anywhere. I've tried dressing warm, but having to wear the heavy layers just gives me another excuse to sit in front of the TV instead of riding.

I finally got down to 160# a month ago, but I stepped on the scale today and saw "165" (yeah I know, I'm no longer a clyde but I still feel outta place in the other sections) - I don't feel like I've eaten much more than I did earlier in the year, but my exercise routine has surely taken a fall. I was doing 10+ miles regularly and loving it, but now I'm lucky if I do 3 miles and it feels like a chore!

I've been mapping out of a 100 mile radius to plan a tour for next summer, but if I re-gain the 60+ pounds I lost, I'm going to be stuck in a never-ending cycle next summer working off this gut instead of being able to take the venture comfortably.

ill.clyde

Ride on your trainer.

After a few months of indoor riding you'll retain your fitness, AND by the time spring begins to arrive you'll have a metric a$$load of motivation to ride outdoors no matter what the temp.

When on the trainer, supplement with plenty of loud (and I like aggressive/angry) music, or videos like the Sufferfest stuff.

Short Circuit

Yes get on the trainer and ride.
I put a movie in my laptop and watch that while I ride. It's amazing how fast the time goes by when I do that.

Mark

jeepseahawk

You are looking for fun and sitting on a trainer will bore you. Find another winter sport that will be fun again, cross-country skiing, hiking etc.

chriskmurray

No such thing as bad weather, just bad equipment. Cycling in cold temps is certainly different but if done properly can be a ton of fun. I am anxiously awaiting the first snowfall of the year. There is just something both calming and rejuvenating about a cold and snowy ride.

Have you tried experimenting with different gear choices to find something that is not too much of a pain to put on and keeps you comfortable? One thing that works well for me is simply having everything laid out in one spot to help with motivation. I actually just finished getting my stuff together for a ride tomorrow.

Lots of good advise over in the winter cycling forum as well. Best of luck and nice work getting from being a clyde to 160's.

CommuteCommando

Eat less, and yes, I know what a challenge that can be this time of year. The fact you got back on the scale is a good thing. Pemanent weight loss requires frequent reality checks.

Blue Belly

Are there any reasonable computer trainers? I've tried to search, not found what I'm looking for. Maybe my terminology is wrong? Mots be great to have one for the NE winter

lenA

I'm a big fan (heh heh) of these contraptions. Sorta like a bike, but far enough removed so you don't feel like it's a poor substitute.

If like me, you've been a clyde most of your life, you never are completely sure that you won't relapse. I'm at 185# and I know I ain't safely clear of 200

I ride when it's cold, but also jog snowshoe and hike.

CommuteCommando

I live with cycling weather year round, only wimping out when it rains. I have a gym membership, and while I cannot stand more than a few minutes on their stationary's, I can do up to an hour on the treadmill, given ample tunes on the mPlayer. (Dizzy Gillespie most recently)

Cychologist

I agree a trainer is boring. My solution was to join a gym and use their torture equipment. When not doing cardio, I work on my core, which gets neglected on the bike.

Hope to join a spin class soon, but the schedule isn't to my liking yet. That will really get you ready for spring.

And I recommend you try to hook up with a friend and go together. The company is good and the commitment will keep you going.

mlander

I was also gonna mention a spin class. Much more involving than riding a stationary alone. Get's your competitive juices flowing too.

sstorkel

You've got access to snow? Perfect excuse to buy a Fat Bike (Surley Pugsley, Surly Moonlander, etc)!

Fastflyingasian

indoor cardio is torture for me. in the winter i run untill roughly 25 degrees and i mountain bike all winter. my road bikes are already stored for the winter. i choose not to buy winter gear that will be useless next year for the road.

Fangowolf

What kind of budget are we looking at. There are devices to turn the bike into a video game controller . I hooked mine up to a racing game and was able to play the game, I just didn't like the game.

SethAZ 

I'm really lucky that here in Arizona we get to ride through the winter. In fact, most of us get way more riding done during the Winter than during Summer. It'll often drop below freezing at night here, but by mid-day the next day it's usually in the 60s or low to mid 70s. Occasionally we'll have a cold spell where it doesn't get out of the 40s or 50s during the day, but for those days we just put on an extra layer or two and hit the road.

Btw, I like listening to audio books, and when I've spent a lot of time doing cardio at the gym, mostly on the stairmaster, but also the rowing machine, elliptical, or treadmill, I just listen to audio books on my smartphone and the time flies.

Turzy

I won't be riding through the winter. Actually, I don't get to ride as much as I'd like to. The weather's been getting bad recently...winter is coming, and I don't have the right gear to keep on riding. So I'll be getting a gym membership within the next few days.
That way I'll be able to get my cardio even on a bad winter days, and maybe add some weight training too. And I hope to be able to controle myself and not go crazy with free weights this time. When I hit the weights, I have a history of not being able to contain myself with my training program and I end up going heavy and eating accordingly...

Little Darwin

During the past winter I discovered the joys of walking regardless of temperature or snow coverage. I created a group on Meetup, and usually had company, so I didn't back out, which is what I would usually do if I am on my own.

I have had a trainer for a few years, and spent a total of about 20 minutes on it, but I am determined to makie that work this year.

Use the motivation of a significant spring ride to motivate you in whatever you do this off season. Your potential tour sounds like something in the right ball park. For me it is a 2 day ride on a long wilderness rail trail with a few other riders. They can outride me now, but my objective is that I can keep up in the spring.

Bluish Green

I don't like riding stationary bikes either, or any gym equipment for that matter. I need to be out in nature, preferably getting somewhere to accomplish a transportation need (ie. commuting, grocery shopping, etc.).

You can do winter cycling if you have the right gear. In fact, there is a special sense of accomplishment if you can conquer a truly bad winter weather day with a good ride.

If you will be riding on any ice, you'll want studded winter tires to keep you upright. I have Hakkapeliitta A10's in 700x32, which are about the smallest/thinnest basic studded bike tire, but work very well for me here in Springfield, IL winters. There are other good tire options.

For clothing, use layers. Thin merino wool baselayers with synthetic (polyester, nylon, etc.) outers. Lots of good threads on this subject in the Winter Cycling sub-forum.

You can do it if you are interested and get some basic gear. I personally wouldn't do it any other way - I'd rather be out in 5 deg F weather riding the streets than tethered to a stationary machine somewhere going nowhere.

Good luck, I hope you find whatever works for you to keep you active through the winter!

MikeRides

Thanks for all the suggestions/feedback, great support here. I actually got on the trainer and did 25.6 "miles" in an hour and a half today. Now I just hope I can keep it up. I've heard many recommendations about spin classes, so I'm going to see if my local gym has any openings this winter. My occasional riding buddy goes to one, and recommended I join him last year but I had some schedule conflicts.