yifeng vivi

What does everyone else do in the most foul weather when you cant go out ?

I dont have a turbo trainer- another expense too far at the moment, have an excercise bike in the shed hardly used, better than nothing,just to keep the legs turning, but know its going to be sooo boring! Would need to rig up lighting, music, tv etc me thinks ! to have any chance of staying on it for more than 10 minutes !!

Getting paranoid that Im going to get all podgy before spring lol

iforgotmename

The weather gets too foul to ride in? Interesting

Myosmith

Foul weather is a great time to work on the accessory muscles and those muscles that cycling doesn't hit very well. Core training is a big benefit to cyclists so that's a great place to start. You can also start a strength program (not a bodybuilding ie. hypertrophy program) that works the core and all aspects of your legs and upper body as well. You can use weight training (machine or freeweights) or any number of bodyweight exercises. Cardio/Respiratory training can be done on alternate days. Look up HIIT High Intensity Interval Training which is particularly adaptable to various styles of riding. If you are training for long road rides, use longer intervals at moderately high intensity. If you are training for cyclocross you could use shorter, very high intensity intervals. Using HIIT you can train for both endurance and peak capacity just by varying length of both the intervals and the overall session, and the intensity of each interval. I find it easiest to do HIIT on some kind of cardio machine that has a heart rate display and countdown timer to help me monitor intervals and intensity. Eliptical trainers, treadmills, climbers, bikes, ski machines and UBEs all work fine as does running, swimming, or many other exercises.
Indoor sports like raquetball, basketball, volleyball, lap swimming, or martial arts help keep you fit as do winter sports like cross country skiing and snowboarding. Don't overlook flexibility and coordination/balance training. There are quite a few yoga and pilates based programs geared toward overall athleticism. Don't underestimate yoga or pilates, the more intense programs can challenge any athlete. Even the infamous video based P90X Program utilizes yoga and pilates.

The important thing is to keep moving, it doesn't have to be 100% cycling related. Any exercise that promotes strength, endurance, cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, coordination and/or balance is going to be beneficial.

NoRacer

Or, you could just HTFU and get your butt outside.

Unless you have no plowing in your area, there's no reason why one can not get out on the bike during the winter with the correct winter clothing and bike tires.

Winter riding has it's own set of challenges. It teaches better bicycle handling skills.

tsl

I don't understand what this means. Please explain.

Leebo

Wool and studded tires are the answers you seek.

sauze

well -40c is tough to get out in , but when you get going it's not too bad. Luckily it's usually NOT snowing when it's that cold. The real challenge is freezing rain , heavy sleet and the like.

BobLoblaw

I can tell when it's too cold to ride because I have the roads to myself.

BL

Northwestrider

Here in the Northwest, it seldom reaches a point where its too difficult to ride. The only thing that keeps me indoors ( rest day ) would be icy roads, as they are so rare I can't justify as set of studded tires.