biking during the winter?

not a stationary bike, but a bike trainer. set it up in my attic with the tv... in the winter i start watching a lot of bad tv!!!

the trainer is this machine that you fit your regular bike into. it's much (MUCH) better than a stationary bike. It simulates biking situations (obviously) but it is actually a more concentrated workout (though more boring!)

I got mine for pretty cheap... about $65 dollars. it isn't highend, but it does the trick!

D

i have a bike trainer set up inside for really rainy and snowy days, but i still bike most of the year. winter cycling is an old love of mine. if the temp is warm enough to have my girls keep warm in the burley, then it is warm enough to bike without fear of hitting major ice. if it gets icy in your neck of mississippi, you could always get some studded nokians! i used to bike year round here in minnesota, blizzards and all (as featured in the pioneer press article 'ARE THEY NUTS?!', circa 1999. i kid you not! my 15 minutes of fame!).

seriously though, biking in colder weather is a joy. if you are already set with clothes to run in the winter, you should be just fine using the same stuff on the bike. iwnter weight tights, waterproof/breathable jacket. if you don't have these things already, here are some of the things you might want to consider:

+ thicker wool socks - smart wools, socks made for xc skiing are perfect
+ good gloves - my favorites are wind stopper gloves - very light, but keep hands warm and still allow freedom of movement. lobster gloves are also good for keeping you warm, but are a bit bulky
+ balaclava - thin one for moderate days and a thick one for the extra cold days
+ clear glasses - something that will keep the cold air out of your eyes. smith sliders work...otherwise, for less than $10, nashbar has a great pair of clear glasses
+ cold tolerant chain lube
+ bombproof lip goop - i like burt's bees lifeguards choice for avoiding wind burn on the old kisser

more good tips: http://users.rcn.com/icebike or http://www.bikewinter.org

thanks for the info. i know it probably doesn't get as cold down here in the south as way up there, but it does get cold every now and then. plus i think the humidity down here has some play in the coldness. plus#2 we aren't use to the cold like you frozen tundra people are. haha

For me it's not about the temperature. it just gets dark so fast during the winter, and i don't really have a lot of daytime training hours available, so... to the trainer I go.

D

it does get dark early. i rode with a heavy duty ni-cad light when i was biking to work at 7am and home at 5pm.

and one more thing to consider is bike shoe covers/booties.  When the wind hits your feet, it's cold!

I'm going to ride and run like normal. Oh yeah, did I forget to mention I'm in California hehe

Layers are the key! Add more as it gets colder. You’ll figure out how much you need for a given temperature.

Head – Head covering that looks similar to a swim cap (but lycra) that goes under the helmet, since most helmets have a lot of vents. Also, check into fleece ear covers (looks like a headband but with longer areas for the ears). Cold ears on the bike really suck.

Neck – Baclava or other neck covering. Mostly needed for the area right under the chin. This area gets a lot of windage while on the bike.

Chest & arms – Layer depending on temperature. Long-sleeved fleece bike tops are nice for really cold weather. If it’s not too cold, I’ll go with a tank top under a normal bike jersey and arm warmers. A vest or long-sleeved windbreaker on top also helps.

Hands – Full-fingered insulated winter bike gloves. Trust me, you’ll want these. Your hands are out in front getting the blast of a lot of cold air. They get cold real quick, even if you’re only traveling at 5 mph.

Legs – Normally I go with tights over bike shorts. When the air is really cold, check into “wind stopper” tights. Your knees and butt get really cold on the bike and these tights have insulation in these areas.

Feet – Warm socks and toe covers over the shoes. Toes and hands get the coldest and get cold fast. Also, shoving your socked feet in plastic baggies and then putting them in the shoes helps. Cold feet on the bike are miserable.

Don’t forget a bright headlight on the front of the bike, and a red blinkie for the rear, since it’s dark during the winter.

P-)

I usually bike and run until the first snow/ice, then switch to stationary machines for both. I tried running in the winter years ago but when I did a split on the ice one day ... ouch ... I decided to relegate my winter running to the inside. Once in awhile I go to the university for a swim and do a few running laps around the inside track after.

In the dead of winter, my outdoor biking consists of the 1.5 miles to work and back -and sometimes I even abandon that. DH keeps going ALL winter -but my contention is that HE doesn't have to wear panty hose to work. So, for an actual workout, I switch to the stationary bike or spinning class.

I listen to a lot of good music, which I can't do when cycling outdoors. This is me, trying to look on the bright side!

Andrea

I bike and run for as long as I can tolerate it.. biking is the first to go...I just can't take the pain in my toes. I'm not outfitted for winter though and I'm in WI. One of these days I'll get winter biking stuff, until then I spin. Maybe Santa will be good to me and bring me winter duds or a trainer for Christmas...

I will run as long as the snow is shoveled...although last year my asthma sent me to the dreadmill....ugh! I'm hoping for better luck this year.

I also hope to try a little kickboxing or something like that, just for a change of pace.

ok, the question wasn't directed to all of you west coast mild climates 365 dayers. haha

SPOILED!!! haha

Trainer mostly...watched season 2 x-files dvd. Not sure what I'll be watching this year...maybe season 3 x-files, or The Prisoner.

As long as the roads are clear, I'll bundle/ layer up for a weekend ride.

Once the cold weather hits here I spin at the gym...and then SKI! Skiing is my fix in the winter. I run all winter and the pool at the Y is always available but the bike thing when it's -5 and snowing is a bit much! Have I mentioned yet that SKIING is my wintertime outlet?? Spin bikes keep the legs in shape for that and for when it warms up in the spring.