I've had a few rougher than usual commutes these last few days. Necessary errands have forced me to add many miles to my commute (I do not have a car) and although my usual RT is 24, yesterday I logged 35 before I finally got home. This is my first winter commuting daily. In the darkest days of the year, with the bitter cold and dreariness of sunless days... how do you keep your morale up? What keeps you getting on that bike morning after morning? I'm proud to say that I've only gotten a ride 4 times since September 10th, but as we are heading into the the darkest and coldest part of the year now, and I need a serious morale booster. Does it get easier? Please share your coping strategies!

I take a few days off and drive. Two days is about all it takes to make me totally stir crazy, grouchy and good to go on the bike for the rest of the winter.

I enjoy riding in the dark, it gives a different perspective on the world.

We're coming up on the winter solstice, time to ride a century between sunset and sunrise.

Daylight will be back soon enough.

I drive on days when the weather is cra*ppy. That way, I appreciate riding on the other days. I usually end up riding 3-4 days/week. I think I would end up dreading my commute if I rode on days when it's pouring rain, sleeting, ice storms, etc.

Another trick is to reward yourself. Do you have a coffee shop or restaurant you can stop at occasionally as a reward? Unfortunately, I don't on my commute unless I really go out of the way. There is, however, a nice ice cream shop, but I don't crave that much on cold winter days.

I actually look forward to my commute (especially on my way home). I also like the idea of being different from my coworkers and not complain about traffic or the weather. What might keep you motivated Minerva would be the inspiration of other posters and the challenges they go through just to ride. I post here and sometimes on the Clyde/Athena forum and enjoy reading other peoples stories (Hit by car, I lost 150 pounds, recovering from injury, get in shape or miss my kids growing up, In Minnesota and love my -5 temps, etc.).

To me the key is not listien to the weather man and try not to take days off. I missed plenty a good ride because the forecast was wrong or it becomes easier to get in the car and go. Once you have the proper equipment and clothing it definetly is easier to keep riding.

I enjoy riding. It's hard to explain exactly why I do it. Other posters have served as inspiration to me, hopefully they can do the same for you.

Drugs, alcohol, music, and rewards at Starbucks and Caribou coffee along the way do it for me.
Proper cold-weather gear too, I like to imagine that no matter how crappy the weather gets, there's
a little human-shaped capsule of 90-degree summertime under my windproof shell and insulating layers.

I enjoy it not being 106 degrees and not having sweat running into my eyes. Of course it rarely gets colder than 20 degrees here and ice and snow aren't an issue either...But none the less I try to enjoy the change in seasons.

Take a break if you need to, accept a ride or use public transportation.

Beer. I hate the winter.

Minerva, do you have goggles or sunglasses with yellow lenses? When I put those on, it feels like the sun comes out. It feels like visibility is better, too. But honestly, I enjoy the winter and winter weather except for the toll it can take on road conditions. I see more, especially in the morning.

Oooh, I really like this idea... totally crazy, and very tempting. I wonder if my wife will allow it!

The mornings are difficult sometimes. I found that I have to slow down on the colder days because of the excessive clothing. Pushing causes perspirations which can get cold. The evening commutes are never a problem.

Something my friends and I did yesterday is a good way to do a fun ride this time of year. We met after work and did a Christmas light ride. We met near a very large subdivision and rode through the streets looking at Christmas decorations. Some of the lights were really spectacular. After riding 15 miles or so, we stopped at a neighborhood restaurant for pizza.

Everyone gets down because of the short days.

Yet I like my winter rides. It's quiet, although that might have to do with my bacalava covering my ears. I like seeing ice formations. I like to ride over them in my studded tires! I kind of like breathing the cold air. I usually get to see both the sunrise and sunset, which I like even with it covered by clouds. My greatest joy in the winter, however, is fresh fallen snow. It's very pretty and I love being the first to ride through it on our bike pathway.

Ice storms are pretty, too.


All that said, I still wouldn't bother if it wasn't for the possitive effect it has on my body. I keep the weight off, and this is the time of year when I gain weight, given that I'm indoors more often. I feel the endomorphins working, and want to keep feeling that joy.

I always liked riding during the wintertime, especially with today's foul weather gear. I look forward
for the time change in the Fall, even more so when I have a new lighting system I want to try out.

Did a cold ride yesterday.. Took off a 3 degrees C.. Gloves , my thermals, warm socks , and a bacalava- I felt just fine.. Better than no ride at all. And certainly better than a trainer.

I haven't come up with a good method yet; I usually try to hibernate, but this year I am desperately searching for a fun activity to do in the terrible snows and cold of northern Wisconsin. If I'm resigning myself to living up here, I can't just mope for 5 months out of the year.

"How do you keep your morale up during the long dark of winter?"

By getting out there regardless of the cold, saying to myself "people have endured far worse than this", and rewarding myself with coffee, food, or beer once I'm home.

Since the body conditions itself for the cold if you actually spend a lot of time in it, it always makes me feel like I've accomplished something cool when I can stand outside during some of these rediculously cold days and be comfortable, while everyone else is suffering outside. Makes me feel more relaxed at the idea of randomly riding to the grocery store or some other store, knowing that there's really not much to worry about.

I moved from New York City to Atlanta Ga many moons ago so the cycling season really never ends for us down here. When it gets cold 30s or so, I just put on more layers and hit the streets. I'll often have this internal battle between body and mind just prior to mounting my trusty steed, but after the first block or so mind and body are one.

Try and get some time out in the sun if you can. If you have the flexibility to arrive to work really early so you can leave when there's some daylight left or vice versa, it can help a lot. If not, run an errand over lunch on a sunny day.

Though the days are shorter, it can be amazingly bright in the winter when the sun is out and there's snow on the ground.

Truth is than in less than a week the days start getting longer again, so hang in there. I'm not familiar with the particulars of your climate. Here January is very cold but there's a fair share of sunny days (part of the reason it gets so cold). Take advantage when you can.

Although I haven't been commuting very long, I love riding at night, everything seems quieter and I feel much more relaxed, the sunrises and sunsets are a great bonus, but I haven't seen below 40* yet.

Dress properly, eat properly, take a break when you need it, and get outside during the daylight.

Necessity is my major motivator.

But sometimes I take the bus when I am feeling too listless to deal with an effort to get to work. The bus is it's own punishment and motivates me to ride.

Really the difference between tolerating winter and thriving in it is finding an outdoor winter activity to enjoy. Whether it's skiing, skating, snow boarding, broomball, pond hockey, skijoring, snow tubing, snowmobiling or even just sliding. Find something. I'd mention ice fishing but I'm not sure that qualifies as a real activity. As typically practiced, it's really just boosing on ice.

the craziness and instability of the new york subway keeps me motivated.

On crappy days (slushy, rainy and cold) I'ld take the subway, and it reminds me all over again on how much I hate it.

maybe date a new guy who is also a bike commuter? nothing like a new relationship to perk things up!

Like someone said, I make sure to go out on the worst days. Then the rest of the days don't seem so bad. Also, I have been spending a lot on clothes I have finally got gear that I feel comfortable in, and studded tires. Now that I have the right equipment it's much more fun.

Plus the scale helps. I have been losing a lot of weight. The only downside is I'm so wrapped up in clothes people can't see me lol.
Tracking my weight, my miles and workouts, what I eat, and seeing the results keeps me motivated. Journaling all that lets me look back and feel good about what I've been doing. If I need motivation I look at my excel charts I also try to read some motivational stuff. Not deliberately motivational, but books on excercising or racing or biographies.