Bike Forums - March is the cruelest month

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Barrettscv (Post 13929279)

I always feel like I’m starting over to rebuild my fitness during March, even after staying active during the winter.

I feel much the same. Part of it is because of the vagaries of the weather, the short days, and not wanting to ride in 20 mph+ winds! :eek:

March is the cruelest month

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barrettscv (Post 13929279)

I always feel like I’m starting over to rebuild my fitness during March, even after staying active during the winter...

Same here, even as a year round, nearly daily commuter of 14 miles one way. For me March is a drag because winter should be over, as it is further south, e.g. in Virginia and the Carolinas. Furthermore as an early morning rider in Boston, winter temperatures in March last an additional four weeks, no matter how nice the afternoons are.

My antidote to the late winter doldrums and to prepare for Spring is to get into an intensive training program of diet and cycling, and tie it to the practice of self-mortification of Lent. The time frame of Ash Wednesday to Easter is a nice transition of the seasons, and forty days is an adequate and well-defined length of time to adhere to a regimen. By Easter I'm ready to roll and enjoy riding longer miles again under more pleasant circumstances.

November is also a cruel month as we leave the pleasant cycling weather of Spring, Summer, and Fall, with no reprieve to ride in shorts until April. :(

Quote:

Originally Posted by tarwheel (Post 13939008)

Wind is the tough thing about March. Temps are warming a lot in NC and days are getting longer, but the wind is almost a constant. Yesterday we had gusts over 40 mph in many places.

True here in Nebraska as well. You try to get out when you can but don't abandon the indoor workouts thinking it's all going to be outside now.

I'm up about 10 pounds over the winter, because I spent my time downhill skiing instead of riding my bike and visiting the gym. Love to ski, but the chairlift and gravity do most of the work. Spring arrived very suddenly today. Went skiing Monday in -18C (zero F) weather, and today it was plus 12 (53 F). Skiing season is going down the drain.