How many of you ride bicycles in the winter?

ChicagoBlue2

ChicagoBlue2

Veteran Traveler
Premium Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2013
Messages
12,688
Reaction score
1
For me, I don't do it too much, but I'm considering getting started, as I need something to do, and not sit inside all day on my rump. I own this beauty, and it's fast and stable.
 

Attachments

  • Bicycle #1.jpg
    Bicycle #1.jpg
    88.8 KB · Views: 11
I spend more time on stationary bike than riding bike over winter. Since snow is not falling right now, I should try to ride a bike or 2 over the winter.
 
I used to, but with the traffic and all, I took up jogging and HIIT conditioning.
 
Yes, as long as the bike lanes are clear of snow and debris....the day is 100% sunny, and outside air temps are above freezing (at least 35°F for me).

I hate it, though....due to the wind chill effect, I have to bundle up in layers, which makes riding less pleasant.

MTB riding is more fun than road riding during the winter, though.
 
i do,and walk well run two nutty dogs on leash one on each side, then in park off leash some ppl take photos of me and my dogs 'running' lol....
 
ChicagoBlue2 said:
What kind of conditioning is that? That's a new one to me.
Click to expand...

It's called High Intensity Interval Training. Basically you run as hard as you can for a predetermined amount of time, then followed by a slow jog tempo for the same amount of time. In my case I start at a minute and decrease the time of each set in 10 sec increments. I rest a couple of minutes, then repeat til I do 5-10 total sessions depending on how I feel that day. If you want to try, don't forget to warm up and do a short jog before doing it, or risk really messing up your legs and knees.
 
femme Fatale said:
It's called High Intensity Interval Training. Basically you run as hard as you can for a predetermined amount of time, then followed by a slow jog tempo for the same amount of time. In my case I start at a minute and decrease the time of each set in 10 sec increments. I rest a couple of minutes, then repeat til I do 5-10 total sessions depending on how I feel that day. If you want to try, don't forget to warm up and do a short jog before doing it, or risk really messing up your legs and knees.
Click to expand...

fartlek?
 
femme Fatale said:
It's called High Intensity Interval Training. Basically you run as hard as you can for a predetermined amount of time, then followed by a slow jog tempo for the same amount of time. In my case I start at a minute and decrease the time of each set in 10 sec increments. I rest a couple of minutes, then repeat til I do 5-10 total sessions depending on how I feel that day. If you want to try, don't forget to warm up and do a short jog before doing it, or risk really messing up your legs and knees.
Click to expand...

I done messed up my knees-- think I'll pass up on that. Not worth a double knee tear. That would literally immobilize me if that were to happen.
 
ChicagoBlue2 said:
For me, I don't do it too much, but I'm considering getting started, as I need something to do, and not sit inside all day on my rump. I own this beauty, and it's fast and stable.
Click to expand...

That's a nice bike, it's along the lines of what I'm looking for. My city has horrible streets and non-existent sidewalks, so although I had given some thought to a road bike, it's probably too fragile for my area. I'm hoping to find something that's up for the road, yet relatively light to pick up and put away.

My job has me sitting on my rump all day so I'm planning to get back into bike riding more heavily this year. I got rid of a comfort bike that was anything but comfortable because I grew up with hybrid bikes and I just couldn't get used to the upright position. Can't wait for the warm weather but winter's just getting started....unfortunately.....I expect to make a purchase in March so I've been saving up for something nice and looking around....

Laura
 
Lau2046 said:
That's a nice bike, it's along the lines of what I'm looking for. My city has horrible streets and non-existent sidewalks, so although I had given some thought to a road bike, it's probably too fragile for my area. I'm hoping to find something that's up for the road, yet relatively light to pick up and put away.

My job has me sitting on my rump all day so I'm planning to get back into bike riding more heavily this year. I got rid of a comfort bike that was anything but comfortable because I grew up with hybrid bikes and I just couldn't get used to the upright position. Can't wait for the warm weather but winter's just getting started....unfortunately.....I expect to make a purchase in March so I've been saving up for something nice and looking around....

Laura
Click to expand...

If you're interested, I'm open to selling it. Also have another one I can sell, too. Don't know if you'd be interested in it, though. Let me attach a picture of it. Hmm. Seems like I can't attach it here, cause I already did that elsewhere. I wish I could transfer that picture here. Oh well. You can look at it under the thread "Do you find yourself changing targeted bases from time to time", and look for it there.
 
ChicagoBlue2 said:
If you're interested, I'm open to selling it. Also have another one I can sell, too. Don't know if you'd be interested in it, though. Let me attach a picture of it. Hmm. Seems like I can't attach it here, cause I already did that elsewhere. I wish I could transfer that picture here. Oh well. You can look at it under the thread "Do you find yourself changing targeted bases from time to time", and look for it there.
Click to expand...

I'm going to be waiting until March and take my time to check into bike reviews. I also plan to speak with a couple of bike shops in my area to get some professional advice on which type would suit my needs (and my wallet) best. Like you, I've had knee issues, surgery on both so I'm hoping that longer distance riding will help me develop my leg strength. It's fun looking around, I'll say that much. :)
 
In Ontario, Canada, I had noticed when I was living on the First Nation Reserve with my husband (deceased). Some of the Natives were riding the bikes to whereever they want to go like going to the store or visit some friends. It was all snow and some icy. It is like transporting like having a car which it is not. I would never want to ride my bike in the snow in the winter time. **SMH**
 
Last edited:
Lau2046 said:
I'm going to be waiting until March and take my time to check into bike reviews. I also plan to speak with a couple of bike shops in my area to get some professional advice on which type would suit my needs (and my wallet) best. Like you, I've had knee issues, surgery on both so I'm hoping that longer distance riding will help me develop my leg strength. It's fun looking around, I'll say that much. :)
Click to expand...

You are correct about the long distance riding making your knees stronger-- I can vouch for that. Prior to 2008, my right knee wasn't in the best of shapes, and my left one hadn't yet been injured, and when I started to ride bicycles again that year, I was awkward, and now that it's been 5 years, I've gotten very good at it, and I can ride between 8-11 miles on just about any given day.
 
Bebonang said:
In Ontario, Canada, I have noticed when I was living on the First Nation Reserve with my husband (deceased). Some of the Natives were riding the bikes to whereever they want to go like going to the store or visit some friends. It was all snow and some icy. It is like transporting like having a car which it is not. I would never want to ride my bike in the snow in the winter time. **SMH**
Click to expand...

I don't ride IN the snow-- only when the streets and sidewalks are nice and clear, which they're not at this time, which makes it risky and hazardous.
 
ChicagoBlue2 said:
I don't ride IN the snow-- only when the streets and sidewalks are nice and clear, which they're not at this time, which makes it risky and hazardous.
Click to expand...

If I were you, I wouldn't put down your email address out in public on your signature. That makes it available for spammers and who knows what else. If you want it known, maybe put it in your profile that way people who want to know you will see that in your profile rather than right out in the open.
 
MangaReader said:
If I were you, I wouldn't put down your email address out in public on your signature. That makes it available for spammers and who knows what else. If you want it known, maybe put it in your profile that way people who want to know you will see that in your profile rather than right out in the open.
Click to expand...

Hmm. Maybe I SHOULD remove it.
 
I do not live in the city but there are people in the city riding around in the dark on the ice with screws in their tires for traction.
Here we are dark from 4:30 pm to 9am this time of year. The sidewalks in areas out side of downtown are unusable. The main surprise night rider is dead now. The poor lady that ran over him did not expect him to be in traffic on ice at 12:30 am. He was all over town- I almost got him once myself. I was very shaken by the experience.
He came up to where I was making a right turn onto a one way riding on a sidewalk that the ice angled down to the road. As I drove up I dismissed it mentally as a place someone would come from on a bike at 9:30pm in the dark in the winter. When a gap in traffic came I made my turn watching for the cars. He was just about to ride in front of me and aimed his bright headlight in to blind me in a hissy fit. I would have got him. I felt bad for the woman who killed him.
 
goodonya said:
I do not live in the city but there are people in the city riding around in the dark on the ice with screws in their tires for traction.
Here we are dark from 4:30 pm to 9am this time of year. The sidewalks in areas out side of downtown are unusable. The main surprise night rider is dead now. The poor lady that ran over him did not expect him to be in traffic on ice at 12:30 am. He was all over town- I almost got him once myself. I was very shaken by the experience.
He came up to where I was making a right turn onto a one way riding on a sidewalk that the ice angled down to the road. As I drove up I dismissed it mentally as a place someone would come from on a bike at 9:30pm in the dark in the winter. When a gap in traffic came I made my turn watching for the cars. He was just about to ride in front of me and aimed his bright headlight in to blind me in a hissy fit. I would have got him. I felt bad for the woman who killed him.
Click to expand...

That is exactly why I don't ride at night-- because of this.
 
Back
Top