Looking Forward to a great Second Cycling Season (Winter)
 

Hi guys - 2nd forum post (maybe 3rd). I missed out almost entirely on spring/summer riding due to medical (flare up of a serious chronic disease) and personal reasons (family medical crisis at the same time).

Damn near killed me to see other cyclists out there on the roads, wishing it were me.

Been riding now for 3 past winters, decided in 2012 to add winter cycling to cross country skiing, snowshoeing so I could avoid becoming soft during winter.

In the winter, I ride my 29er hybrid with studded tires, my fat bike, and also added a cyclocross bike to the mix now. The past two winters were tough here / bitter cold and deep snow.

They claim a "Super El Niño" will yield a very mild winter this year where I am (American Midwest).

Circumstances and time now allow me ride again - everyone is recovering nicely) - I've been getting in some decent trail/road rides but am seriously out of condition compared to where I was 5-6 months ago - I was about 5 weeks out from a triathlon when I had to quit training.

I've had some extremely memorable rides in extreme cold, snowstorms, black ice, etc - and wouldn't trade them for the world.

Invested in some great gear for the sport which makes all the difference - including battery heated underlayer, boots, gloves, coats, and goggles.

It's 90 degrees here, sunny, extremely humid, and I have roughly 3 months of "regular" riding before it's time to switch to full winter mode. But I'm determined to have the best winter season yet and be in peak condition for the same Tri in Spring 2016.

Final thought - also bought myself a pair of winter running boots with studs, got to make some use of those last winter - looking forward to that too!

I commuted on my single speed disc bike for the last six years and rode it for the first time since May (now Sept 10) today. I generally take the Summer off from riding and look forward to Winter riding in the northeast as well. Moose Mutts and Nokion studded tires, dyno lighting. I've has some of my best rides in fresh snow. Winter definitely takes conditioning to a new level with studded tires, wind, and snow. Looking forward to it as well.

This is just my perception, but on my fat bike in snow, it "feels like" 1 mile of an "average" ride is the equivalent physical effort of 3 miles on my hybrid or mt bike with "normal" tires during the "regular" season.

The longest ride I went on on the fat bike was about 36 miles and I was beat when I got home - felt far more physically draining than the day I did my first Century on my hybrid.

One other advantage in the winter - I indulge in a good breakfast on the ride, usually pancakes, something I do NOT allow myself the rest of the year when it's lean proteins and low carbs.

Not me. You guys are nuts. The bike will get hung up in the garage when the snow flies and then I'll be hitting the golf course with my new x-country skis and if the snow gets deep, I bought a pair of snowshoes to boot

I think people only perceive it that way because it's "unusual". But like any sport, if you have the right equipment and gear you're all set.

The two comments I get the most are "aren't you cold/freezing?" and "don't you slide, spin out or fall a lot because of snow or ice?"

No / I'm usually warm enough to so warm I'm shedding layers. Only rarely am I cold -usually a miscalculation about conditions.

No, never had any issues with slips or falls due to traction. I dread riding on wet fall leaves on my road bike far more than ice/snow, even black ice.

It's all in the preparation and gear

I'd like to get a pair of thermal bib tights with all the way around wind proofing (doesn't seem to be many candidates with that feature) for this winter. Would simplify getting dressed a little for many rides. Currently I'll put on a pair of cycling bibs, then thermal underwear, then a pair of XL tights that I added heavy suspenders to so they don't slide down. Main problem is I won't be able to try before buying, and ordering internationally it wouldn't be cost effective to return them if they didn't fit.

Last winter I got a windproof jacket that is race fit, unfortunately by body isn't. So it just barely fits and I can't get much under it.

Summer is not cycling season IMO, too hot, and above all one needs sunscreen, etc... and very uncomfortable. Spring weather is nice, but because of that, the streets are too crowded. Autumn too windy. Winter is the best. :)