gbiker

^ True that. During last winter I often felt like the only bicycler in the city. Come spring I was like, "Wow, where'd all these bicyclers come from? A lot of them are fit even!" Hiding out in spinning classes probably.

Machka 

Some might have been hiding out in spinning classes. Lots of others were probably riding their trainers at home. Even here in Australia where I can ride most of the time, I have a trainer for the cool, rainy days.

gbiker

I'm kinda thinking about getting a trainer, but I'd probably just prefer to bike out in the real world, frozen that it may be. I have a treadmill, but still preferred to bike outside in the winter. Hmm, maybe it's running itself.

Machka 

Get a trainer, put one bicycle on it.

And have a second bicycle ready to go to ride outside.

Then, if it happens that you really don't feel like going out in the snow and cold one evening after work, you can hop on the trainer and do 30-60 minutes while watching your favourite show on TV.

gbiker

Jeez, I have to buy another bike, too??

Ratchet

For my insurance company, we get added benefits if we check in regularly with a health advisor via telephone. During our last call, my advisor was very impressed that I was averaging so many miles, then she asked if I wanted to make that my continued goal. Um, no, I told her, I'd be happy just to keep commuting by bike, forget the miles!

Now, the restaurant trip you mentioned, that does sound like fun!

Machka 

Well, you do have at least 2 bicycles already, don't you?

bobbycorno

Some old Norwegian, I think...

SP
Bend, OR

hyhuu

There are bad weathers. I can think of three: tornado, severe thunderstorm and hurricane. Riding in any of those are down freaking scary.

On a separate question, how do you all keep your water from freezing solid? Insulated bottle? Any brands to recommend.

gbiker

Yeah, I use insulated bottles, Polar I think. I fill with room-temp water but my second bottle usually starts freezing during rides. Have also had problems with ice freezing on/in the spout and clogging the bottle.

Machka 

Add blizzard to your list.

As for freezing bottles, I use the same method as I do in the summer ... I put a sock on it. This was a little trick Rowan recommended to me. In the summer, you put a thinnish cotton sock on your bottle and soak the sock to keep the water cool ... in the winter you do the same thing, but don't soak the sock. That helps delay the freezing.

But in really cold temps, you're not going to stop your bottle freezing, so there have been lots of rides I haven't bothered taking it at all. I drink lots before going out. Then I stop at shops or back at home or wherever, and drink more there.

Easy Peasy

I'm a newbie commuter and haven't ridden in a winter yet. I won't ride if it isn't fun and safe. Still weighing the pros and cons. Don't mind the cold as much as the ice. We get a fair amount of it laying thick on the streets with deep furrows left by car tires. I doubt the MUP that I take to work will be plowed, so I'd have to take a busy highway with no shoulder. So far I kinda doubt it.

hyhuu

Thanks for the tip. My commute is 30 miles each way so I definitely need to drink while riding.

OldsCOOL

hah, I love it!

This is my first winter for riding. Michigan can throw long and tough winters at you. Today I'm looking at cold, rainy and windy temps in the low 40's....but I'm jonesin for a workout. I've got my cheapy hardtail MTB ready for fun. The MTB trail (very popular and well used) is only a mile up the street. Wet butt and cold hands here we come!

cyc4fun

Well this will be my first winter that I am going to attempt to ride in the snow. But last year I just ran outside the whole winter. I will still run a little this year as well but really hope to cycle more.

triumph.1

The more I think about it the more I think I'll get x country skis

boro

If there was a trail that passed by my work, you'd better believe I would be commuting on skis. x-country > winter cycling any day of the week.

Jim from Boston

On my 14 mile commute, in really cold weather, I don’t drink at all. Here’s why I even bother to carry a water bottle:

Sixty Fiver

I just got a new winter trainer...

PaulH

And while your car rots away from all the salt they dump on the roads.

Paul

Sirrus Rider

I'm digging that classic bullet headlight.

electrik

Hmmm...
(swearing)

Mithrandir

I picked up some cross country skis last year. I went out nearly every day because it was so fun. Try it.

oneeyedhobbit

I wouldn't pressure yourself to ride in the winter. I plan on doing it again this winter, but if its below 0 or freshly blizzarded I'll have no qualms taking a day off. That being said, I haven't (would love to) tried cross country skiing, but snowshoeing is amazing. First time I went last year we were down in a forest in the Mississippi River Valley. It was like 10 degrees with a nice brisk wind. We hiked in the forest and walked out onto the Mississippi under a beating sun. Not only was the moment beautiful, but I took my coat off for a while to cool off =).

triumph.1

I am intrigued by this snowshoeing thing**********? On another note I did get a pair of showers pass roadie pants in the mail today ad I have to say they are very nice. I think they will be super nice in cold temps.