So, it's getting cold, and I want to be faster next spring on my Rocket.

My goals are to minimize the cost and the noise of spinning while in front of the TV when it is too cold outside.

What's a better option:
A trainer with the required 20" wheel adapter, or the $108 recumbent exercise bike from Wally World?

I opted for a Sports Crafter trainer because of the size, cost, quality. Yup, had to turn up the TV some but not bad.

ALREADY???!

You need to move...

California is the place you auter be,
So load up yer truck an move to Bev...

Winter? Oh, you mean when it gets below -10 Celcius!

Do you even get snow in Atlanta??

I ride year round here. There is no bad weather, just bad gear.

During our summers, I just don't get why people complain about the heat. Doesn't bother me...

In the winters, I fuss and cuss until I thaw out in the spring.

Ride the bent indoors or outdoors - forget the wally world exercise bike.

I use a Tacx I-magic virtual trainer and do online racing all winter. never gets boring.

https://imagic.e-cycling.se/index.php

Maxey! Don't you know Atlanta rocks for winter commuting, bro?

I've done it for a decade, it's great! It's actually better than summer, it's not so dang hot. But you have to know what to wear. The secret is to dress lightly enough to start out a little chilly, because in a few minutes, you'll be toasty-warm! But if you wear enough to be warm at the start, you'll be burning up before your first mile or two.

Remember to carry some extra clothes and jacket along in case you have to stop for an emergency. This is where planning ahead goes a long way. If you have an unexpected breakdown, at first you won't mind the temps, it won't seem cold. But as you cool down in that sweat-soaked gear, the chill will set in after a while. That's why you need the dry back-up jacket, to keep warm in. In an extreme breakdown, you might even need to go somewhere to change the rest of your clothes to keep warm, but don't worry, it's more like the spare tire in your car--you almost never need it, but the one time you do, you're glad you had it.

Once you start winter commuting, you'll be hooked! You'll wonder why you didn't start it sooner!



Ya, we got some a couple years ago, and took pictures! My daughter kept a snowball in the freezer as long as possible.

Ahuh.

In that case, all you (MaxBender) need is a warm jacket, and maybe some full-finger gloves. You'll be fine.

So, the gauntlet has been thrown down.

Temp was 32f this morning...

For you cold riders, do you go with a bicycle specific jacket, or just something that is thick and wind resistant?

Why keep the snowball in the freezer? It says colder outside... oh, right, you don't live in a frozen wasteland like some of us...

Jorin Green
Frozen Wasteland, Saskatchewan

Did you ride this morning?

I have a fleece-lined weather-resistant jacket. It's actually the interior portion of my convertible winter jacket. When it gets cold enough (like, -5C or so), I'll add the outer layer.

I live in Eugene, Oregon where it is rainy 9 months out of the year and in the mild part of the winter it is a bit windy and at the coldest about 40 by noon. I usually wear a pair of long underwear, whatever pants I am wearing to school that day and rain pants if it is "liquid sunshine'ing". For my top, long underwear shirt, whatever I'm wearing, maybe a sweater(cotton zip up variety) and my Columbia Sportsware(gotta support the locals). The coat is a insulated'ish rain coat with a hood(hood is important). I also wear fingerless if it is dry or chameleon gloves(only three fingers, zygodactyl is mother natures coolest invention) and a warm stocking cap. I would like to get a pair of shoe covers too.
If it is dry in Atlanta in the winter, just nut up at ride, wear some light thermals, gloves and a hat and get out there!

Experiment.

Try a light but very wind-resistant (bicycle-specific is good) windbreaker for starters. Different jackets made with different synthetics and different weaves can vary in how they work. Also experiment with thin under-layers. And yes, the full-fingered leather gloves.

Really the only thing that stays cold on my is my feet. But there are solutions to that, too, when it gets in the low 20's.

Try it, you'll like it.