Cycling in the winter months - best option

[miremare]

Hello

ive lost 3 stonnes since i started cycling again this year.
i feel so much fitter now.
i go out every day unless its really lashing or blowing a gale.

the concern i have is what happens as summer is ending, the weather is going to get worse, how do i keep this going.

do i:-

1) stop being a wimp and get out there in any weather
2) cycle where possibel over winter
3) buy a decent exercise bike and do a daily workout.
4) get one of the indoor units that enables you to prop the back wheel up and do an indoor workout on your own bike.

i cant imagine for one minute being able to cycle where i am in the really bad weather, i really dont want to loose the level of fitness i have now though and start all over again next year

any suggestions or experiences please?

 

[BrumJim]

1)

No contest. Just get some decent wet weather gear. You'll surprise yourself when you realise how rarely the weather is too bad to contemplate cycling.

 

[calibanzwei]

No.1 - MTFU

 

[tyred]

Rain no problem with the right clothing, dry and frosty not really a problem but be careful, fresh snow (within reason) not really too much of problem, sheet ice or compacted snow is a problem and very dangerous unless you have the correct tyres.

 

[ACS]

No 1. No such thing as bad weather just bad kit.

 

[leyburnrunner]

watch out though, a carbon bike frame will actually dissolve in rain.

 

[Mad at urage]

No.1 + maybe get a hack bike for winter if you are as precious as some about how pretty your bike is. Get a pair of spare wheels with studded tyres if you are in an area where snow and ice will last. Then forget the weather until you are out in it (then enjoy it).

 

[cyberknight]

No.1 + maybe get a hack bike for winter if you are as precious as some about how pretty your bike is. Get a pair of spare wheels with studded tyres if you are in an area where snow and ice will last. Then forget the weather until you are out in it (then enjoy it).

+1 on the +1
Good idea to get a hack i did last winter on 23m shod roadie and it could have been more fun whit a better suited bike.
Frozen compacted snow is not fun .

 

[ELL]

No.1

I used to find it harder to get out when it was bad weather/raining in the summer as I did in the winter. In the winter you can wrap up warm and just undo a jacket if you get to hot. Saying that it was a couple of years ago that I did it and it was only 7 miles each way.


Cycling in the snow can be fun.

 

[upsidedown]

Winter's great for commuting, just get yourself a couple of buffs and some decent gloves, two pairs of socks and you're sorted.

 

[gaz]

I doesnt get that bad. Only colder which is easy to get over with more clothing. Ok there is the odd bit of snow and ice but it's only do a small amount of time.

 

[calibanzwei]

Cycling in the snow can be fun.

Now that's awesome
I had my breath condensing then freezing into my beard winter past - combined with the long hair and surly disposition I must've looked like some kind of neon Viking passing through the dark

 

[Melonfish]

haha, iced beard is the best, col do you not remember that flippin cold jan we were out with the BTCV we had frozen particles in our beards then

 

[Globalti]

In snowy weather I just revert to mountain biking; there's nothing better than the crunch of fat knobbly tyres over crisp snow and ice. You can ride on anything except sheet ice. Moonlit night riding in snow is even better.

 

[snorri]

Definitely 1 and 2

Get good clothing, a jacket with a well fitted hood and a pair of gloves. Don't take chances on snow and ice, it's just not worth it. Set yourself a monthly target, if the weather is too bad one day, you must double your mileage the next day.