WonderMonkey

I have a window of relative nice weather today. Last weekend we had 12 inches of snow on the ground and I was camping. Today, I ride.

In a few minutes (after I drink my morning water), I'm going out to my shed and get my hybrid, which is my fat-guy bike. I'll make sure it's ok, lube the chain, get my riding gear out, and wait until the wind is blowing the hardest (because it will, why not pretend I'm looking for it) and set out.

My main objective, like others, this time of the year is to get my rump in shape. I'll try to ride each day that I can, starting with 5 miles and working my way up. I can generally get more than 5 miles at the beginning but I want to give my knees and all parts concerned a chance to adapt to the exercise. I don't know if I need this now because I've been doing plenty of lower body work in the gym, but I figure why not? It won't kill me (much) to keep it at five miles for an outing or two before moving on to 10 miles.

GlennR

Round is a shape

However you get motivated... Just Do It.

AdkMtnMonster

There’s an amazing invention called The Indoor Trainer. It comes in many flavors, colors and iterations, and allows you to stay in cycling shape, and even increase fitness, during the bad-for-outdoor-riding season, all from the (relative) comfort of your very own Watt Dungeon.

WonderMonkey

I'm going to do it!

Motivation is funny. It's difficult for me to actually go get the bike and take that first ride. Then, I can't stay off the bike. I'm a tough starter.

WonderMonkey

What? They ... have those?

Actually, I have one downstairs and it's all setup with a different bike. I WANT to get on it but I give priority to the gym and then ... I don't get on it. Heck I had a zwift subscription, music, dancing clowns, everything a person would want to distract themselves from the mental pain that is the trainer, and I'd only get on it once a week.

I need a butt-kicking.

GlennR

OK... here goes.

I did a 40 mile ride on my 65th birthday 4 weeks ago. it was 24* not counting the windchill.

AdkMtnMonster

You need discipline and determination. If you don’t want to ride a bike, you will not ride a bike. Glad to hear you’re finall6 getting started again. Keep at it.

iowa mark

All you need now is a 7-11 and a small hand gun. I'll bet 40mph gusts off the Atlantic feel a lot like 40mph gusts from North Dakota.

Hondo Gravel

I’m a diesel that warms up slow. The first 30 minutes I drag along then the bike ride starts feeling good. First 8-10 miles just loosening up the crickity joints then it sets in.

OldTryGuy

Don't need no stink'n gear like that here in SW FL.

Resting right now after the 121 miles for my overnight FULL MOON RIDE

LAJ

Here's a hint. Do the bike before the weights. It oils up the joints, and the heater is on longer, so the garage is warmer... If you go hard on the bike, then give yourself a few more minutes. If you just want saddle time to get the can acclimated, then a half an hour to an hour of easy stuff, is just perfect.

GlennR

And how much did you climb.... 121 feet?

WonderMonkey

Well there you go! I AM happy with the work I put in off the bike over the Winter, but I sure found a reason to not get on the bike during that time. I'm going to have to figure that out.

Thanks for the post, butt-kicking received.

WonderMonkey

I think you are right. I like the Winter activities that I did, and felt a tremendous benefit from it during today's ride, but I do REALLY like to ride, but just not in the Winter. I WANT to do it, but find ways to not.

WonderMonkey

Generally, as soon as I do that first pedal stroke, I feel REALLY good, at least mentally. I do take some time to spin it out to warm it up, though.

WonderMonkey

I'm thinking that I can ride the bike to the gym and that time is a tremendous warmup. At first I do want the saddle time to get the rump in shape.

Today's ride with the wife was great. Got me excited. Tomorrow I'll do a 10 miler and stop there, just to make sure my body is adjusting.

GlennR

Over the past 4 winters, I had a month to month gym membership so i could attend spin classes. Last year we had a total of 2.5" of snow. This year, for obvious reasons, i've not joined a gym and have been riding outside. January i road 14 times for a total of 320 miles and February I rode 8 times for a total of 200 miles (I took two week off for medical reasons).

I purchased a second base layer and wool socks so I could go a week before washing my kit. i also put fenders on my CX bike which allowed me ride in the wet and not get filthy.

All i'm saying is where there's will there's a way.

shelbyfv

With all the build up both here and in Clyde, we deserve a full report of today's ride.

WonderMonkey

I agree with that. It just has to be a priority enough.

WonderMonkey

I was pretty excited about today's ride, and enjoy both of these communities.

I was going to do a solo ride today but the couple we hang out with said "Hey, come ride and we will end up at the brewery for a beverage!" Uh, sure! So the wife and I went to the parking lot of the brewery, which is RIGHT NEXT TO THE BIKE PATH (those sneaky basterds) and took off. We went half as far as the wife wanted to go so we turned around and ran into our friends, who were biking from their house. The husband and I dropped off the ladies at the brewery parking lot and continued onward. We went until we encountered the bike path fully covered in slush and ice (shaded stretch of about a mile) and turned around and went back. The parking lot appeared and we parked our bikes and joined the wives in the outside grassy area for a beverage and a bite from the food truck that was conveniently there. A great time was had by all. The husband and I talked about biking.

Though I only went 7.26 miles at an easy pace, it was the easiest first ride of any year that I've had. It was almost effortless and I felt I could have gone forever. I attribute this to the work I've been putting in at the gym. I feel stronger than I have in years. Tomorrow, I will do a 10 miler at the same pace, just so I don't get too excited and injure myself.

OldTryGuy

a whopping 177'

Inusuit

Today was my first day of riding in March.

WonderMonkey

Yay! I'll have to wait until tomorrow to break in March.

big john

I agree about the trainer. We don't have winter here but while I was working if it rained on the weekend I found it was really hard to get on the trainer. It's just not fun like riding outside.
I also wanted to advise spinning low gears/higher cadence while you're getting started. Helps the knees.

big john

That reminds me I haven't paid rent yet. Crap.