Winter puts a damper in a lot of things, especially cycling.

Originally i created this thread about a question pertaining to trainers and winter cycling gear such as studded tires and the such. I now find it would be much better as a thread where anyone can post thier own questions pertaining to the winter season.

So to everyone and anyone,

POST your own questions and concerns here and hopefully someone around the the forums will drop by and give you some advice.

MN winter is pretty harsh. The answer depends on what your goals are. If you want to have more fun, get the gear and ride outside. If your goal is to maximize your physical condition and fun is not so important, spring for the trainer. The trainer will probably be cheaper when all is said and done.

As of now I just want to make the experience as enjoyable as I can, definately looking into getting more serious as time goes on. For now i just dont want to discourage myself too much and wnt go along for the fun.

When you start with the cold weather gear, you'll end up getting the trainer. If you start with trainer, you'll end up with cold weather gear. This is cycling and you'll probably spend quite a bit the more you get into it - meaning - doesn't matter, you'll have both before you know it.

how do you warm up the air that you breath into your lung. until i warm up, the air is so cold it causes a tight feeling in the chest. (I have checked this with a doc and it is simply cold air and nothing wrong with me before we get side tracked into medical speculation.)

Do you warm up before you ride?

I ride with a balaclava and it works just fine. No warm up before I leave, just cold the first few miles.

so you cover your mouth and nose?

snorkel

yup. It's just thin material and you can breathe right through it.

thanks. i'll try that right after the balaclava fails.

I would and do ride in the winter but I also use the trainer a lot. When the plows are out, the roads are covered and Icy I ride indoors. When dry I ride outside. For me not riding outside is more of a hassle factor, cleaning the bike of so much grit in subzero temps is just no fun. I don't have a good or heated work area. So the preponderance of winter miles are inside. But I do love getting out some.

+1

Cold and warm weather can cause shrinking and expansion of frame materials.

Would it be preferrable to keep my bike out of cold and extreme heat to increase its life?

Winters are pretty harsh around your way so I would look to get a trainer because that will keep your riding consistent with no weather worries. I'd still venture out on the decent days though.

If you're just going out for fun, as you stated earlier, you don't need much that you don't already have. Assuming your frame has clearance for them get studded tires and fenders. Next up is a pair of winter cycling shoes. The rest of the clothing needed you, and every other respectable Minnesotian, should already have. Cycling specific winter clothing is nice, but not needed. One thing that I have become a HUGE fan of when riding in the winter is a scarf. It's amazing how much warmer you feel when your neck and chin are warm. They also keep the wind from blowing down the neck of your jacket, which will keep your torso warmer.

Please view my original post for information regarding changes to this thread.

for rides under 40 i tend to start out with one of those fleece neck warmers. they tuck down into your jacket and keep your neck warm too.

psst OP you know there is a whole winter forum right....

There is a whole sub forum for winter cycling. https://www.bikeforums.net/forumdispl...Winter-Cycling

As mentioned above ... why not post your winter questions and comments in the WINTER CYCLING forum?

https://www.bikeforums.net/forumdispl...Winter-Cycling

Why does anyone care whether these questions are asked here? I don't get it.

Just guessing that the newbie doesn't know there's a whole winter advice forum available here where "anyone can post thier own questions pertaining to the winter season" ... and where people have been doing so for years.

Change is good!..Chill I guess technically speaking, my reply shoud have been in the winter section of this forum seeing as I used the word "chill"

Cause the Winter Cycling Forum could use the traffic. Lord knows this one doesn't need it.

Welcome to the land of ice and snow, and studded bike tires.

The winter subforum was near the bottom of the home page, no wonder i didnt notice it at first.