Midwinter
 

Well, we are halfway through, the days are getting longer. Pretty soon we'll be taking our first rides, and making Spring resolutions to stay in better shape next Winter.

I live in Southern California. I never stopped riding for the winter. ;):D

Snowed in here in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Itching to try out my new mod. I attached a fishing rod holder to my rear rack on my folder. I plan on getting to ponds and creeks at my local park where cars aren’t allowed.

Actually, as much as I like cycling, I am not looking forward to the end of the ski season.

Meh

At this time every year for the past 20+ years I get the desire to build a new frame. I take out the drafting equipment and draw one up, research the tubing and on occasion I braze something together. Have done 5 frames thus far and this past year I swore off the hobby as I am frame rich and component poor!
Needless to say, I have drawn up another frame and stopped short of selecting tubes, but I did start on a fork and will braze it when the temps are more friendly. I suppose the process of drawing out my idea is enough to satisfy the urge to create. Looking forward to spring when I can ride and try out the new fork!

Here in south coastal Delaware, riding all year is doable with fairly light colder weather gear. I find that layers and having on bike storage for stashing clothes works very well with minimal hassle. So far, 2022 has gotten off to a slow start. We have had a couple of significant snow/ice storms that have made bicycling pretty much impossible for 3-4 days each time. Also, I had the flu that laid my up for 10 days. As near as I can figure, I have had at least 18 days off the bike, maybe as many as 20. Today is Feb. 4th., so 35 days into the year and I have more days off of the bike than on the bike. So, If I have 15 days of riding, probably around a 15 mile average, I have 225 miles ytd. It turns out, that is close to the past few years at the same point. I am not accurately tracking miles, days, or time on the bike for this year. I do have a pretty close estimation and would like to hit 5,000 miles, I believe for the 7th consecutive year.

Have not stopped riding thanks to the fat bike. Excited for the lengthening of days and prospect of March weather.

I usually get out at least a few times per month over the winter, along with lots of Zwift riding.

This year a bronchitis germ managed to get past all my defenses that had kept Covid away for 2 years, thought it was over and did a 40 degree outdoor ride and seemed to really piss off my bronchial tubes. Had to drop outdoor riding and even hard riding on Zwift. This year, for the first in time in many years, I will be starting from a deep trough...

Early February, eh? Only 6-8 more weeks of increasingly irritated, angry, and sometimes irrational BF posts before everyone can get out and go for a bike ride.

FWIW, got my first ride in nearly three weeks yesterday. Today I'm feeling pretty mellow.

Still waiting for enough snow to actually ski. I've only made it out once so far.

I’ve learned that I like riding in cold, wind and mud but still not geared for snow or ice.

As has been a recent pattern here at the northern edge of our “humid subtropical” climate zone, we get clobbered with a big snow storm about the beginning of February. At least 8” of snow in the last two days will mess things up for probably two weeks.

Meanwhile I’ve been contemplating new XC ski boots to replace my ancient ones. 😊

Otto

totally appreciate the sentiment! but I'm trying to still get out when I can. don't want skinny thighs. I do like Spring tho! :thumb:
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b912a21ba3.jpg

We got an honest foot here, night of Feb 3, what did you get, Rum?

Winter is my maintenance season, for all the stuff I put off because I'm too busy riding. I suppose I'd better get at it before spring is here and I'm once again too busy.

rain last night into this morning then around 6:30am turned to sleet everything turned white its been going all day and now snow. cleaned off our Son's car that was encased in a cpl inches of hard white snowy ice. it took a while to do a proper cleaning. didn't get it off the roof tho. some but not all. was lucky to all the windows & 2 mirrors. surprisingly traction hasn't been bad driving in it. crunchy. you know?

buddy at work showed me his family's pics of 2 feet of fresh snow today in Maine

Mid summer here, a bit hot... 😎😅


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Endless Summer. I love California.

There's always books aboot exotic rides. Like the one about an African journey by a guy who played drums...

Usually my riding tapers off dramatically in the winter. I get out for a ride maybe once a week, do a little running, and generally get pretty lazy. Come spring I usually need a month or so to get into it and build my fitness back up.

This season has been different. I bought a smart trainer, set my bike up in the basement, and found an app I like. I've ridden more the past two months than ever before in winter. Not only does the trainer allow me to continue riding on cold and dark days, it also gives me very effective workouts (more focused and strenuous than most outside rides). I'm looking forward to spring when I can get back out and see what a difference this has made in my general fitness. The proof will come when my favorite weekly group ride starts back up. Hopefully I will have an easier time hanging with them from the first week. I expect this will be the case, as my endurance is already improving, according to the app.

The takeaway is this: indoor trainer = huge benefit, in my experience at least.

What to do in the south of Croatia in winter?

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4ae54f582a.jpg
Ride your bike, of course.

they only just started ice fishing in my area
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...bd6d3fc090.jpg

Haven't stopped riding. Winter means fat bikes. Not sure why people quit riding in winter.


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:eek:

It's winter here and I don't ride as much as I should but today I got antsy enough to jump on the hardtail and hit the snowy MUP. It was 25 degrees but I layered up, put on a gator and goggles and ski mitten and snow boots and it was actually quite enjoyable. I may go again in a couple of days.