Winter "long rides"

[E65Ross]

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.

[E65Ross]

Thanks everyone. I'll probably aim for around 3 hours but I can always do this on the turbo if needed. It's far more interesting on the Wahoo kickr with virtual routes or trainerroad!

[E65Ross]

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.

[E65Ross]

Agent XXX said:

you lot need to man the f**k up

If you're worried about slipping off on icy roads.................get off road and get muddy

Not an option for me, don't ask why.... You'll possibly feel bad for asking

[E65Ross]

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