ecotour

It's cold up here in the north. Canada that is. Since I'm not into winter camping, is there something else to do until spring?

valygrl

Go to New Zealand or Australia.

Or work. Yeah, that's it, work.

redbike72

Try cross country ski marathons. They build endurance and you'll likely meet the same friends who cycle at the marathons. Depending on where you are, you'll probably find that it's a small group of active individuals who keep sports alive.

thompsonpost

Start a home business. Worked for me. Been on my own for 6 years now.

staehpj1

Run? Trail run? Snowshoe? XC ski?

For me it would be one of the above, which one would depend on how much snow you have where you are. We don't get all that much snow except occasionally, so it is usually trail running for me. In fact most of the time I trail run rather than ride even in the summer unless I am on a tour.

badger_biker 

Work on the upper body - with a snow shovel! Otherwise order maps and plan for next year's trip(s) and ride a stationary trainer occasionally and increase the amount toward spring.

Roughstuff

I put my bike on a roller, and/or use the ellipticals at the gym for their low impact. I don't let the cold weather affect the amount of walking that I do around town, either.

roughstuff

BLUMEANIE

Run, trail run, short overnight rides, centuries, etc. The cold and snow don't really bother me much.

SteveMiller

Read BikeForums all day!

imi

Too True!!!

... and order new bike and camping stuff online!

emarg0ed

Build/re-build bikes! I've currently got two bikes stripped down to the frames at the moment, working on having both ready to go by spring

CNY James

came in here to post this. just dont do what I did and start too early in the winter. Were it not for my back-ordered stem, my bike would be done and I would only get to look at it for the next 3-4 months, not ride it. Perhaps the back-order is a blessing.

and if you are looking for fitness, cross train! You can lift, snowshoe/cross country ski, ride on a trainer or stationary bike... and hold out for those freakish 40 degree days to get the bike out for a short ride!

vegenaise

i tour.

axolotl

Much of the land on this planet is in the tropics or southern hemisphere. There are some great places to tour in southeast Asia and parts of South America, for example.

wheel

XC ski and camp

tarwheel 

Bike commute.

travelmama

Hit the Southern Hemisphere, read BF, train for a late winter half marathon/marathon, get in shape for the Spring and Summer tours, put your bike on a trainer, enjoy snow sports, plan out your next tour(s), do some metric century/century rides, sip hot tea or coffee, bake cookies, donate your time to various organizations, mentor kids and have fun while doing whatever you desire.

Thisisit

I ride my trainer for 45 minutes to an hour a minimum of 3 times a week. I used to go to the gym but couldn't dedicate enough time to it so I cancelled my membership. Now I just do some core strength exercises I got out of the front of a bicycling magazine.

I also commute to university a few days a week if the roads are in good enough condition and my schedule allows it. Up until last January I rode through the winters on a beater fixed gear, 15km round trip commute to school 5 days a week, and usually 3-5 1 hour rides whenever I needed a break.

I want to give XC skiing or snowshoeing a try, there are a few places within 20 minutes of driving with trails. Snow shoes are too expensive for me to buy right now, but I am keeping my eye on craigslist/kijiji for a deal.

Last year was ideal though, went to New Zealand from January to May and avoided the snow all together.

Randochap

+1 Yeah, we have an excellent snow pack this year. Strap on some cross-country skis -- perfect cross-training for cycling. And/or, just prepare you & your bike and go winter cycling.

Yan 

Rebuilding bikes here as well. I just finished a complete rebuild of my tourer: laced up a new rear wheel; detensioned and retrued the front; repacked the hubs and headset; tweaked the chainline a bit; new chain; new bar tape (cloth and shellac); new headset spacers (silver to match stem); touched up paint chips; adjustments all around.

Next I'm rebuilding a 1980's Fuji Berkeley for a friend. We already did the hubs and bottom bracket together over the past few days. I'll be finishing it over the next week.

I'm also preparing for a four month tour starting in May. I've been picking up equipment slowly.

Machka 

-- Work
-- School
-- Both work and school ... I've been either working full time and attending night classes, or going to school full time and working part time for the past 10 years.
-- Cycle outside ... commuting, century-a-month
-- Spinning class
-- Trainer ... indoor cycling
-- Weightlifting
-- Winter sports ... cross country skiing, snowshoeing, etc.
-- Walking ... and perhaps an attempt at jogging
-- Taking care of all those nagging things around the house that you don't deal with during the summer because you're too busy cycling.

Lake_Tom

With ya'! There is a groomed cross country ski center ten minutes from my house. There is plenty of time for skiing because I am not painting, mowing grass, or tending my beloved potato patch.

BigAura

Winter in the Northern Hemisphere --> ride south

Winter in the Southern Hemisphere --> ride north

OR, like me, dream of an endless summer.

CNY James

this was a concern of mine as well when i bought my shoes... I bought MSR Denalis from my local ski shop... I know EMS has them too.

They were somewhere in the $100 range, I like 'em well enough but would recommend getting the 8" tail extensions. I have the 4's but usually, if there is enough snow to put them on, I might as well have the 8's



pic of extensions:

Thisisit

I was looking at the Denali's as well, they are onsale at MEC for $110 right now, which is still out of my price range right now. Luckily we only have about 5cm of snow right now so there is still plenty of time.