Training in Winter!

scoobydoo22

Good Afternoon! hope u're havin a good weekend! I cycle about twice a week for 1.5 hours each time. I also play football once a week and go to gym once or twice a week. I am planning another Alpine cycling trip early next summer and want to keep fit during the Winter. I find cycling in the dark, cold, rain, wind etc quite difficult and 'uncomfortable'.
My question is how to you adapt your training in the winter, so that you come into the Spring fit and good to go?Do you train more indoors than outdoors?
I also find the rain, dirt etc does wear out bike parts much more quickly!

Thank you for any advice!

Deisetrek

You sound like you've already made up your mind on this one Scoobydoo ? There's nothing glamorous about winter cycling , just have to get out there and get on with it , OR get yourself a Turbo trainer and train indoors ?

ROK ON

I cycle outdoors. I have not used a turbo and for the type of cycling that I want to do, would not use one.

While part of the cycling is training/fitness, a lot of it is enjoyment (effort in, enjoyment out and all that). I need fresh air and to get out of the house. I personally couldnt imagine anything worse than 3-4 hours on a turbo in my shed. But I guess it depends what are you cycling for.

My winter plan is to cut down from one long spin at w/e to a shorter, but more intense spin twice a week. There are only some days where it is not possible to cycle outdoors in this country. (One of them was last Wednesday, one of them today).

Captain Havoc

I'm with ROK_ON on this one, I can't stand gyms, turbo trainers or anything of that nature. I will play football in the heaviest of rain and wind but will not get on the threadmill in my livingroom. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with them and would encourage their use but for me it's about the interaction and different scenery while getting fit as opposed to just getting fit.

Deisetrek

jerseyeire wrote: »

I'm with ROK_ON on this one, I can't stand gyms, turbo trainers or anything of that nature. I will play football in the heaviest of rain and wind but will not get on the threadmill in my livingroom. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with them and would encourage their use but for me it's about the interaction and different scenery while getting fit as opposed to just getting fit.

Ditto jerseyeire , I do not own a turbo and try to get out in all conditions . Wrap up and head out You just can't beat the fresh air . A crisp cold winter's morning is as enjoyable a cycle as any morning in summer IMHO .

coolbeans

:rolleyes: What they said ^^^

scoobydoo22

Thanks! Am defo going to head out on the bike over the winter. I agree with you, that the exposure to the elements is part of the battle and enjoyment. After a hot shower, u feel great. I find the gym a bit boring, but it is a useful alternative in bad weather. Was following Armstrong on twitter and he trains with 'PlatinumFitness', in the off season;sounds like a tough fella!

I hear some people have a 'winter' bike which they use in really bad weather and save the expensive kit for the good weather.

Esroh

scoobydoo22 wrote: »

Thanks! Am defo going to head out on the bike over the winter. I agree with you, that the exposure to the elements is part of the battle and enjoyment. After a hot shower, u feel great. I find the gym a bit boring, but it is a useful alternative in bad weather. Was following Armstrong on twitter and he trains with 'PlatinumFitness', in the off season;sounds like a tough fella!

I hear some people have a 'winter' bike which they use in really bad weather and save the expensive kit for the good weather.

I have one of these but its a 30 year old Raleigh Flyer 5 speed that served me well in 'My Younger Days when I was A lad' day for getting round:D

IM0

Give me crisp cold and rain over gusting gales and showers like today anyday...having said that I was out there in it - weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

DirkVoodoo

I will mostly be embracing this indoor training for the winter. I think it will make me appreciate the roads more when I actually get to use them.

I also plan to do a bit more mountain biking over the winter, and just leaving road bike spins for sundays.

However, I have plans of building up a winter trainer and I need to be able to justify it, so might have to endure a few miserable spins.

sy

Need to update your clock Dirk!

DirkVoodoo

I don't think I'll be out tomorrow, wind is not looking good.

Mountain biking monday though

sy

Enjoy. By the way did you sign up with Orwell yet?

DirkVoodoo

Not signed up, have to wait for some new members night. But I have a foot in the door; went on the spin last weekend and it was great fun.