Winter "long rides"
Discussion
OP,
Good mudguards, good gloves (I use the aldi ones and they're war as), and good overshoes. 2-3 baselayers, normal jersey and decent jacket. Add a neck buff and scull cap that covers the ears. Enough to ride 100 miles in 5 ish degrees and enjoy it.
Sod sideways rain though, if it's like that I'd just bail!
Good mudguards, good gloves (I use the aldi ones and they're war as), and good overshoes. 2-3 baselayers, normal jersey and decent jacket. Add a neck buff and scull cap that covers the ears. Enough to ride 100 miles in 5 ish degrees and enjoy it.
Sod sideways rain though, if it's like that I'd just bail!
Pretty much as all the other replies. Can cope with rides in a couple of degrees with the correct clothing, and I don't mind the dark with good lights, but I dislike wet and cold. If its raining I won't go out, but if it starts raining whilst out I'm less bothered.
This year I've started running so I have an alternative on those days it rains and I don't ride to work. I find a 30 min run is as good as a 1hr ride. I always plan to ride the MTB more (went out last night actually) but once it gets really muddy I'm out. Just don't enjoy getting covered.
This year I've started running so I have an alternative on those days it rains and I don't ride to work. I find a 30 min run is as good as a 1hr ride. I always plan to ride the MTB more (went out last night actually) but once it gets really muddy I'm out. Just don't enjoy getting covered.
My distances won't change dramatically. I don't even mind the rain that much. Once you're wet, you're wet. As long as I keep the intensity up I don't get cold. The exception is cold + wet + windy. That's just unpleasant and I'd just postpone for better conditions.
I also draw the line at ice because the odds are I'll break myself rather than get fitter.
I also draw the line at ice because the odds are I'll break myself rather than get fitter.
I can't imagine sitting on a turbo in my garage for hours on end, grim as! If I had some expensive high tech gear in the warmth of the house, it may have more appeal.
A crisp cold dry winter's morning is stunning, and there are usually plenty of them. You have to be careful any time it gets to lower than 3 degrees though, had a nasty off on a frosty road last year and bust my wrist.
Another advantage of running in the cold is you don't need so much kit; you need more than a vest and shorts but you don't need 3 layers on your top, 2 layers on your leg etc etc.
A crisp cold dry winter's morning is stunning, and there are usually plenty of them. You have to be careful any time it gets to lower than 3 degrees though, had a nasty off on a frosty road last year and bust my wrist.
Another advantage of running in the cold is you don't need so much kit; you need more than a vest and shorts but you don't need 3 layers on your top, 2 layers on your leg etc etc.
ice can be a pita , some winters you never get any, others there is the risk of it quite often, more so out here in the sticks . I risk it for commutes, but am careful
Turned up for a club ride last December, rode over loads of ice, thought as I was already out I'd carry on, only to get to our meeting place and no one else (out of 65 members) turned up because of it! I don't blame them and limped home
Ive seen some bigger chaps go down on ice and hit the ground really hard, pretty nasty
Turned up for a club ride last December, rode over loads of ice, thought as I was already out I'd carry on, only to get to our meeting place and no one else (out of 65 members) turned up because of it! I don't blame them and limped home
Ive seen some bigger chaps go down on ice and hit the ground really hard, pretty nasty
I think around the 3 hour mark seems like a decent amount to keep through the winter. If it's too cold and miserable there's always the option to do 90 mins on the turbo followed by 90 mins outside.
I'm also going to try to build my strength using trainerroad, which means that I must avoid pushing too hard on the longer rides, so I'm more fresh for the hard sessions!
Just did 58 miles outdoors. Lovely day out today, aside an annoying headwind on the way back
I'm also going to try to build my strength using trainerroad, which means that I must avoid pushing too hard on the longer rides, so I'm more fresh for the hard sessions!
Just did 58 miles outdoors. Lovely day out today, aside an annoying headwind on the way back
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