Motivation required
Discussion
Picked up a Boardman Comp roadie at the end of December when there was some good bargains on. Got myself some riding kit which meant I'd be able to get onto the bike in the greatest amount of comfort.
I have however, been struggling to drag myself out onto the bike during the terrible weather we have been having. I've managed only a couple of trips in that time, granted I didnt get the shoes for the pedals etc until the middle of Jan but in the last month, i've only been out twice, largely down to rain/wind and the amount of detritus on the road.
Does it improve with the weather? When I was making the purchase, I had visions of early spring mornings, dry roads and long days however I've only been out so far when its been wet. Am I a fair weather and should I just MTFU or does the motivation increase with the turn of seasons?
I have however, been struggling to drag myself out onto the bike during the terrible weather we have been having. I've managed only a couple of trips in that time, granted I didnt get the shoes for the pedals etc until the middle of Jan but in the last month, i've only been out twice, largely down to rain/wind and the amount of detritus on the road.
Does it improve with the weather? When I was making the purchase, I had visions of early spring mornings, dry roads and long days however I've only been out so far when its been wet. Am I a fair weather and should I just MTFU or does the motivation increase with the turn of seasons?
BliarOut said:
MTFU, I cycled right through this winter even doing 16 milers in -10! You do get used to it and the sense of achievement makes it worthwhile 
This.You will never regret going on a ride once you get out there.
Just work out a nice 30 mile loop and find out your average speed. You'll be surprised (I certainly was!!!) at how keen you are to up that magical number! It should only take a couple of hours even if you're really slow, and from that point the fun begins!
An old American bloke once told me:
"There's no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing."
When it's cold and wet out, you have to be more aware of stopping distances and greasy roads and manhole covers, but other than that, you just need to suit up and get out.
Get some overshoes for your feet, some gloves that are wind proof but not so thick you have no feel of what's going on. Leggings, a couple of thermal layers and a wind proof jacket will do for the body and some kind of skull cap for under your helmet to keep your ears warm.
With this get-up I was doing 30 and 40 mile rides the week before new year, and it only felt grim when I got a fecking puncture. The sleet made my hands cold very quickly changing it.
You'll feel great when you get back from a cold wet ride and you've thawed out with a good stretch and a shower.
"There's no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing."
When it's cold and wet out, you have to be more aware of stopping distances and greasy roads and manhole covers, but other than that, you just need to suit up and get out.
Get some overshoes for your feet, some gloves that are wind proof but not so thick you have no feel of what's going on. Leggings, a couple of thermal layers and a wind proof jacket will do for the body and some kind of skull cap for under your helmet to keep your ears warm.
With this get-up I was doing 30 and 40 mile rides the week before new year, and it only felt grim when I got a fecking puncture. The sleet made my hands cold very quickly changing it.
You'll feel great when you get back from a cold wet ride and you've thawed out with a good stretch and a shower.
Settle down you lot
The guys only just bought his bike - give him a break
I bought my first road bike in November a few years ago
TBH I didnt ride it till April
And the first time I tried 30 miles it hurt.
A lot
However I have now truly got the bug and have been out continuously this season apart from in the snow
The right kit is essential as has been mentioned
My favourites include neoprene overshoes, decent gloves and water resistant tights plus the usual
It also help massively to have a pal to ride with
Whats particularly motivating is to have a friend of a friend who you dont particularly get on with, who you know is spending his Sunday mornings sipping tea and reading the papers whilst you do 70km in horizontal rain when its hovering around freezing
The satisfaction of being quick when everyone else is blowing away the cobwebs in April/May is very worthwhile
And I actually like being out when nobody else is at this time of the year
Best of luck
EDIT: These are essential IMHO
http://www.crudproducts.com/products/roadracer/roa...
Pay no more than £25
The guys only just bought his bike - give him a break
I bought my first road bike in November a few years ago
TBH I didnt ride it till April
And the first time I tried 30 miles it hurt.
A lot
However I have now truly got the bug and have been out continuously this season apart from in the snow
The right kit is essential as has been mentioned
My favourites include neoprene overshoes, decent gloves and water resistant tights plus the usual
It also help massively to have a pal to ride with
Whats particularly motivating is to have a friend of a friend who you dont particularly get on with, who you know is spending his Sunday mornings sipping tea and reading the papers whilst you do 70km in horizontal rain when its hovering around freezing
The satisfaction of being quick when everyone else is blowing away the cobwebs in April/May is very worthwhile
And I actually like being out when nobody else is at this time of the year
Best of luck
EDIT: These are essential IMHO
http://www.crudproducts.com/products/roadracer/roa...
Pay no more than £25
Edited by RRS_Staffs on Wednesday 16th February 09:32
Yeah thanks for the advice all, I agree I do need to MTFU I think its just a combination of s
tty weather and lack of cycle fitness whereas I think I'd be more inclined to ride if it had been finer warmer weather. We have that much muck on the roads around here lately due to farm vehicles/gravel etc that I'm still getting a feel for the amount of grip. I keep envisaging myself coming off and being attached by the pedals!
I've got the kit - leggings, windproof and gloves etc although dont have any overshoes. Havent found my feet cold though whilst out so thats not so much a factor.
tty weather and lack of cycle fitness whereas I think I'd be more inclined to ride if it had been finer warmer weather. We have that much muck on the roads around here lately due to farm vehicles/gravel etc that I'm still getting a feel for the amount of grip. I keep envisaging myself coming off and being attached by the pedals!I've got the kit - leggings, windproof and gloves etc although dont have any overshoes. Havent found my feet cold though whilst out so thats not so much a factor.
BliarOut said:
Farm vehicles? You don't know farm vehicles Sonny, where I ride it smells of pig st all year round
Once you stop making excuses to yourself and just get out there you'll love it
Farm vehicles are those big things with fat wheels which spray st all year round Once you stop making excuses to yourself and just get out there you'll love it
t all over the road arent they?You live in a pig sty by any chance?
It smells around here too.....Chicken Chaser said:
BliarOut said:
Farm vehicles? You don't know farm vehicles Sonny, where I ride it smells of pig st all year round
Once you stop making excuses to yourself and just get out there you'll love it
Farm vehicles are those big things with fat wheels which spray st all year round Once you stop making excuses to yourself and just get out there you'll love it
t all over the road arent they?You live in a pig sty by any chance?
It smells around here too.....
BliarOut said:
:taptap: Ahem, in -10 on sheet ice!
i even developed a hoar frost on my eyebrows...
Same here. Worst ever over winter was a -12 and my eyelashes kept trying to stick together! Studded tyres for me though on my commute as I haven't mastered the dark Jedi art or riding on sheet ice with normal tyres yet..i even developed a hoar frost on my eyebrows...
I find it really relaxing on the commute in the cold frosty dark mornings. Over my Xmas holidays I popped out for a 25mile jaunt in the snow and ice nearly everyday to try and keep the Xmas weight gain down (failed) and it was quite picturesque and of course the roads are your own..
Given the choice, I would be out racking up road miles on any fine day but I'm a fair weather cyclist too, CC.
If anything, if the weather is horrible, I am more likely to go out on my mtb than my roady. In the woods, you are more sheltered from the wind and rain so it's not so bad. You just need some trails that don't get water logged at this time of year. This keeps the fitness up and means you are right ready for the roads when the wind calms down and the clouds turn whiter.
If anything, if the weather is horrible, I am more likely to go out on my mtb than my roady. In the woods, you are more sheltered from the wind and rain so it's not so bad. You just need some trails that don't get water logged at this time of year. This keeps the fitness up and means you are right ready for the roads when the wind calms down and the clouds turn whiter.
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