winter cycling plans
#51
Senior Member
Sigh. I don't want to take my bike out now, with all the salt on the roads, so I'm making do with watching the "Long Riders" anime series for now.
#53
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 219
Bikes: Five active bikes: 1983 Diamondback RidgeRunner (early production mountain bike), 1951 Raleigh Sports 3spd, 2012 Novara Safari, 2013 Schwinn 411 IGH, 2016 Jamis Roughneck Fatbike; plus a Trek T900 tandem shared with the family
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I've been trying to bike regularly through the Minnesota winter for the past three years. In my late 30's it I was an every-work day-winter commuter, but now my winter riding is largely urban, utility-type riding. Although I've ridden extensively in sub-zero F temps, I don't like it as much as I have never successfully solved eyeglass or goggle fogging when it get's that cold and you need to stop in traffic. But even in MN it's not always that cold, and a few-mile 20-30 degree F temp ride on a bike is not just more fun, it's also more comfortable to me than starting up a cold car, scraping the windows and hauling a ton and a half of steel around for no good reason.
We had weird Christmas day weather in Minnesota yesterday, heavy rain which froze. My wife and I planned to bike to a restaurant about 3 miles away, but she bailed out as soon as she got her bike onto the street in front of our house and found it completely frozen over. I decided to trust my studded tires and took a shorter ride to nowhere and back.
We had weird Christmas day weather in Minnesota yesterday, heavy rain which froze. My wife and I planned to bike to a restaurant about 3 miles away, but she bailed out as soon as she got her bike onto the street in front of our house and found it completely frozen over. I decided to trust my studded tires and took a shorter ride to nowhere and back.
#54
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Join Date: May 2008
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If it is like an ice storm--that is no fun and even bizarre to see that ice every where it is like glazing a cake?
I remember those amazing days long long ago when I started the beginning of my American experience coming from the South of France!!! What a contrast it was! But so gorgeous! I since move to warmer climate!
But no matter what I dislike riding in the high 20s-low thirties--at least it warms up quickly with the sun--although yesterday it was only in the mid 40s! Another couple of weeks or so and the temps will be more civilized!
Enjoy your winters in such a beautiful place but cross country skying may be more appropriate!
I remember those amazing days long long ago when I started the beginning of my American experience coming from the South of France!!! What a contrast it was! But so gorgeous! I since move to warmer climate!
But no matter what I dislike riding in the high 20s-low thirties--at least it warms up quickly with the sun--although yesterday it was only in the mid 40s! Another couple of weeks or so and the temps will be more civilized!
Enjoy your winters in such a beautiful place but cross country skying may be more appropriate!
Last edited by VNA; 12-27-16 at 01:07 PM.
#55
Full Member
I am still riding every day, but it certainly is not as fun as it is when it is warmer outside. I do live in Southern California, but we do get fairly cold early in the morning. It has been in the low 40s most days. I know that is nothing like you folks on the east coast, but low 40s is cold enough to have to protect your extremities.
#56
Senior Member
Temperatures have been in the teens a few times, but not a single snowflake. Consequently, the summer tires are still on the bike. looks like the second year in a row of no studs until January. It is nice to ride home surrounded by Christmas lights, but it is simply not a real winter yet.
#57
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Southeast Michigan
Posts: 13
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix, Specialized Crosstrail
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I have a great setup in my basement. Laptop, flat screen TV, fan and bike on a Kurt Kinetic trainer. I use Trainer Road which has specific training plans to follow
that take the guess work out of what type of workout I should be doing. Oh. I also have a Stages Power meter. I use this time of year to get in some high quality workouts in so come Spring time I have a good aerobic base.
Cheers!
that take the guess work out of what type of workout I should be doing. Oh. I also have a Stages Power meter. I use this time of year to get in some high quality workouts in so come Spring time I have a good aerobic base.
Cheers!
#58
Senior Member
With the temps dropping I'm riding less outside. So I joined the local gym and added all the spin classes to my calendar. This summer I rode 5 times a week and hope to still workout the same mixing outside and inside. Soon the road bike will be put away and the MTB will then outside bike.
What's your plans?
And the guys in the south should not rub it in.
What's your plans?
And the guys in the south should not rub it in.