Winter "long rides"
Discussion
During the winter how long do you guys make your longer weekend rides? In the summer I was doing around 4-5 hours or more basically every weekend.... But I'm not sure I fancy that in the freezing cold rain (call me a lightweight) but I was thinking somewhere around the 3 hour mark is still decent enough to keep the endurance up.
Just wanted to get a gauge on what others do.
Just wanted to get a gauge on what others do.
Tend to drop them completely and concentrate on harder but shorter sessions on the turbo over the winter (2hrs max). Endurance is fairly easy to pick up again with a few weeks of longer rides once the spring comes along. I guess I am a lightweight but I just don't enjoy long rides (anything over a couple of hours) in the winter. You always get cold & wet, have to drink from freezing bidons, it takes ages to get ready and out of the house and then ages to get warm again on return home. Bike gets filthy from all the muck and salt on the roads, so ages to clean after every ride.
Cold and dry is fine. Just wear the right stuff and my rides are almost as long.
Once it gets wet and cold then I'm back on the mtb and happily getting muddy. Will still put in a 3 hour ride on a Sunday morning although that will probably be the only pedalling I do all week. Maybe join a gym, maybe lose a bit of fitness but it'll only take a month or so come spring and it'll be motivating seeing improvements week by week.
For me cycling is all about pleasure. Riding in the road in the cold and wet is not pleasurable. Neither is a turbo.
Once it gets wet and cold then I'm back on the mtb and happily getting muddy. Will still put in a 3 hour ride on a Sunday morning although that will probably be the only pedalling I do all week. Maybe join a gym, maybe lose a bit of fitness but it'll only take a month or so come spring and it'll be motivating seeing improvements week by week.
For me cycling is all about pleasure. Riding in the road in the cold and wet is not pleasurable. Neither is a turbo.
It's become normal for me to switch to more MTB riding in the winter, saving the road bike for the crisp, dry winter days.
Last November I only had a MTB, and my rides were all between 10 and 35 miles. So between 1 and 4 hours, about 2 hours being average.
The previous year, when I kept riding both bikes all year, most road rides were between 2 and 4 hours, with one 80-miler spiking at nearly 6 hours.
The biggest issues with long rides in winter is the lack of daylight, the cafes being closed, and keeping fingers and toes warm. I'm more of an "off-the-cuff' rider than a meticulous planner, so I just play it by ear and go out on the road bike when the weather looks good, or if it's wet I tend to drag the MTB out. This year, so far, I've not had a serviceable MTB, so my road bike might have to work a bit harder through the cold, dark months.
Last November I only had a MTB, and my rides were all between 10 and 35 miles. So between 1 and 4 hours, about 2 hours being average.
The previous year, when I kept riding both bikes all year, most road rides were between 2 and 4 hours, with one 80-miler spiking at nearly 6 hours.
The biggest issues with long rides in winter is the lack of daylight, the cafes being closed, and keeping fingers and toes warm. I'm more of an "off-the-cuff' rider than a meticulous planner, so I just play it by ear and go out on the road bike when the weather looks good, or if it's wet I tend to drag the MTB out. This year, so far, I've not had a serviceable MTB, so my road bike might have to work a bit harder through the cold, dark months.
Depends on the weather.
If its good I don't mind going out and doing a 4-5 hour ride. I know people think it rains a lot in the UK but generally there are not MANY days when you go out and it rains non stop for 5 hours, even less so when you're only looking at two days a week as the window.
Longer turbo sessions can be good, I personally never did much more than 2.5 hours, and I rarely did that as it was depressingly dull, maybe a bit easier with Zwift and the like, but not sure really.
If its good I don't mind going out and doing a 4-5 hour ride. I know people think it rains a lot in the UK but generally there are not MANY days when you go out and it rains non stop for 5 hours, even less so when you're only looking at two days a week as the window.
Longer turbo sessions can be good, I personally never did much more than 2.5 hours, and I rarely did that as it was depressingly dull, maybe a bit easier with Zwift and the like, but not sure really.
With my club the weekend rides are roughly around 3 hours in the winter, at an endurance pace at a rough average of 17/18mph. When January comes around the Saturday run becomes faster and more intense for the new racing season. But if the weather is miserable I'd rather sit on the turbo than freeze and suffer
My winter rides on a weekend become longer if anything as it becomes harder to do the miles during the week. Apart from the people that are away CX racing, we seem to get better numbers for weekend rides in winter than in mid summer. Weather permitting I'll get out for a 70 - 100 miles on one day and maybe 30 - 50 miles on the other day. Like others, if its hammering it down with rain, I simply won't bother, cold no problem. I still expect to maintain 10 hours per week.
I've been booking sportives to make sure i get out and do 3 hour plus ride at least once a month as all of my cycling friends are fairweather types. To supplement that I'm going to be using my TT bike on the turbo trainer for an hour or so a couple of times a week. Hopefully slowly get me used to riding down on the bars.
Once spring arrives I'm aiming to get my first century (in miles) done April time.
Once spring arrives I'm aiming to get my first century (in miles) done April time.
If it's perfect winter weather, and by that I mean cold & crisp, then 2-3 hours is enjoyable - use the CX bike and throw in some canal side paths; and there are plenty of canal side pubs for refreshments, and it can be as enjoyable as summer.
However, usual winter weather is wet, grey & windy - 90 minutes is normally more than enough.
However, usual winter weather is wet, grey & windy - 90 minutes is normally more than enough.
Get some decent winter wear
I used to be a fair weather rider, but now keep up the miles through winter. Once you are out in decent clothes apart from the rain its fine
I think it "toughens" you up as well, if you can handle a big climb when its 2 degrees with 5 layers on , doing it in the summer is easier! I would argue winter rides are a harder workout
Just watch out for ice and tyres like conti 4 seasons are great in mulshy leaves we get
I used to be a fair weather rider, but now keep up the miles through winter. Once you are out in decent clothes apart from the rain its fine
I think it "toughens" you up as well, if you can handle a big climb when its 2 degrees with 5 layers on , doing it in the summer is easier! I would argue winter rides are a harder workout
Just watch out for ice and tyres like conti 4 seasons are great in mulshy leaves we get
Last year I did next to no road riding through the winter and not a great deal of MTB either due to various other things going on.
This winter I intend on getting plenty of good long base rides in on both the Diverge and the MTB. Hopefully I'll still be getting in a couple of 3-4h rides a week in at least along with some turbo sessions.
This winter I intend on getting plenty of good long base rides in on both the Diverge and the MTB. Hopefully I'll still be getting in a couple of 3-4h rides a week in at least along with some turbo sessions.
I can't be arsed riding MTB when wet (wet chalk hurts and mudslop is tiresome) and can put up with wet road riding. This year I'll likely only be on the road bike if unable to ride one of the MTBs. Mudguards, proper clothes, lit up, less traffic (in cars and on bikes).
Actually looking forward to some nice all day+ road rides, not done much on road at all this year.
Actually looking forward to some nice all day+ road rides, not done much on road at all this year.
dangerousB said:
From now until late April, turbo every time - love my 2 and 3hr turbo sessions when it's freezing cold and pissing down with rain!
I'm really enjoying some of the longer turbo sessions I've done. Having the wahoo kickr is leagues better than a traditional one (which I found painfully dull). I did a 4 hour ride on the turbo the other weekend of an online route with video. Was really good and much better than being in the pouring rain. Having said that, yesterday was lovely so did 53 miles with 3600ft of climb (1900ft of that coming between 6 and 27 miles!) and thoroughly enjoyed that.
If it's cold and sunny I'll go outside, my question was mainly for those days when it's freezing cold, pouring with rain etc.
Another thing with long turbo sessions is not worrying about punctures or running out of fluids as you can just run indoors and make another bottle up.
okgo said:
Depends on the weather.
If its good I don't mind going out and doing a 4-5 hour ride. I know people think it rains a lot in the UK but generally there are not MANY days when you go out and it rains non stop for 5 hours, even less so when you're only looking at two days a week as the window.
Longer turbo sessions can be good, I personally never did much more than 2.5 hours, and I rarely did that as it was depressingly dull, maybe a bit easier with Zwift and the like, but not sure really.
2.5 hours on the turbo? Hero!If its good I don't mind going out and doing a 4-5 hour ride. I know people think it rains a lot in the UK but generally there are not MANY days when you go out and it rains non stop for 5 hours, even less so when you're only looking at two days a week as the window.
Longer turbo sessions can be good, I personally never did much more than 2.5 hours, and I rarely did that as it was depressingly dull, maybe a bit easier with Zwift and the like, but not sure really.
I'm really looking forward to getting back into winter training mode. Lower intensity and a good chance to catch up with your mates.
I'm all for the 'there's no such thing as bad weather, just poor kit choice' attitude. Comfy bib longs, thermals and mud guards. Job done.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff