datlas 

Lots of options. I generally will ride on the roads as long as they are not ice or snow covered. Who cares about a little salt?

It's a tool, not a jewel.

Of course there are rollers, spin class, etc.

pdxtex

its easy to get cabin fever in the dead of real deal gloomy winter. id suggest taking up a snow sport if money and topography are in your favor. otherwise, beer and xbox?? trainers seem dull and the only other alternative i see if you must remain indoors is spin class at the gym. that got me through a few winters pretty well. otherwise yahoos around here will just tell you that harden up bit.

climber7

i don't have a rain bike/snow bike/whatever. i just have a bike. i take a few minutes to wash it off (water + rag, or hose outside in the summer), but i figure a little dirt or salt won't kill it anyway. nice mountain bikes are carbon, just like road bikes...you think they'd make those if they were really that delicate?

if the roads and skies are clear, i'll go outside (with a lot of clothing on). if not - or if i just don't feel like being cold - trainer or rollers.

pdxtex

like your money, its best to diversify your sports portfolio. i shall duck for cover after i say this but there are more sports other then road cycling which are fun...........*whoosh, there goes a shoe*.......

Commodus

It's not a question of durability, for me anyways. I just like different tires for different things. Plus I can't put bags or fenders on my road bike, and sometimes I need those things in the winter.

Handelfan

Hey, there are places in California that have "real" winters. Not where I live, of course....... The most wintery we get here is rainy, and maybe 20 degrees.

I did live in Minnesota for a few years though, and have in-laws there.

thinktubes 

After taking the last 6-7 winters off, I'm back to taking spin classes once or twice a week. Definitely keeps the cardio on the map. I had enough in the tank to do a decent 35-miler in mid-January went we got a break in the wx.

0100

Throw the bike in the garage, and do this.

hhnngg1

Swim more, actually. Swimming is hard as **** even with correct technique, and winter is a perfect excuse to really improve at it.

Debusama

Real winter hit my town this morning (5-inches of snow with more on the way). I know we need the snow-pack in the mountains the local economy feels the pain when the weather doesn't behave as expected. I had been doing two or three short trail rides throughout the week, a long road ride during the weekends, which I've not been able to do in January with any regularity since I lived in Arizona. In my area they use gravel rather than salt. I remember seeing fairly new cars driving around with the doors rusted out when I lived near Chicago where they seem to go a little salt-crazy. I'm glad they don't do that here. When the snow does thaw but roads are still wet and covered in gravel, the only thing is do differently is put my cheap OEM wheels back on so as not to grind away the braking surface on my good wheels and make sure to wipe the bike down after every ride.

rbart4506

You live in Knoxville...STFU!

jamesdak 

I ride outside all winter long. But my Madone 5.9 does get the winter off. If the roads are clear I ride my "beater" LeMond. If there is a small amount of snow or wet roads I ride my Kona Jake the Snake currently equipped with fenders, knobbies, and lights. If the roads are real nasty it is the studded,snow tire equipped MB with fenders and lights. The only time I don't ride is when road conditions are just too bad to get traction or too dangerous due to traffic conditions.

M_Wales

Ride the trainer, computer gaming, drink beer and watch more hockey.

escarpment

I also live in chicago and I commuted almost every day last year, Just on my beater bike... Although when there is snow on the roads I stick to the EL. Every once in a while I will take out my road bike, The feel is just too enticing to pass up for months straight.

EdgewaterDude

Another Chicgoan here. I've found that the worst part of winter riding is taking care of the bike. I'm mostly too lazy to have to clean things; I just want to grab the damn bike and ride, you know?

I rode home in that 'storm' we had last week, and within a few days, I had surface rust on my chain-ring, cog, and chain. I hate schlepping my bike upstairs to do a proper cleaning and lubing, but it has to be done. It's pretty much the only time I clean, really. As you can imagine, if you ride enough in the winter, your components will be toast, very fast.

a1penguin

You move to the Bay Area and see how much of a wimp you are after 5 years living here. You wouldn't believe what the locals call "snow". I was sitting in the coffee shop one Saturday morning. It was a raining day. Then it turned into freezing rain and some local says... "Look, it's snowing out". I almost fell off my chair laughing.

I didn't want to lose my fitness over the winter after working so hard to acquire it (even if it's not all that great). I can't stand the gym. So I got a hybrid bike with disc brakes and plan or commuting the entire winter. So far, I'm doing fine with the rides home at 37-40ºF. Since it hasn't rained here yet, I'm not sure if I have all the proper gear for staying dry.

WHOOOSSHHH...

March is right around the corner. Hang in there and then post a, "WHAT do you do when it's to hot to ride" thread!..

NathanC

Ride as per normal.