Bicycling

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Approach to winter cycling? (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 week ago by grumpo_potamus@lemmy.world to c/bicycling@lemmy.world

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I got back into cycling (mostly gravel and paved multi-use path) about a year and a half ago. Last winter, I more or less put biking aside and just tried to do more walking instead.

This year, I'm trying to continue biking a bit more throughout the winter because firstly, I enjoy it, and second I don't want to be as out of shape come spring.

I've gotten myself some warmer gear (not a ton). I've given myself permission to just try to get some seat time in while not really pushing for distance or speed.

Lately the weather has been more of a challenge and I'm feeling myself falling behind.

So, what's the community's approach to winter?

Do you suck it up and go for it like it's still summer? Move into the garage/basement and go 100% indoor trainer?

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[–] GissaMittJobb@lemmy.ml 12 points 1 week ago

It depends heavily on what kind of winter you have, really.

I'm in Stockholm and currently we get temperatures approximately between 5 C and -5 C, with some amount of snow/ice/slush being an expected feature on the roads. I still commute on days where conditions aren't too terrible, but using my dedicated winter bike (a.k.a my old bike). I use studded tyres on this bike.

Since I'm just commuting, I get by with using my regular winter clothes (hoodie, jacket, warmer shoes) and the only clothing I add are very thick gloves. My hands are one of the few places on my body that is very susceptible to the cold, so I have to protect them well.

Under these conditions, I don't do long recreational rides. It's just not fun, and that's fine - these will come back once the weather improves, probably in March.

Instead, I do occasional sessions of zone 2 rides on an indoor bike at my gym, trying to do between 1 and 2 hours. It's freakishly boring, but it is what it is. I get some podcast listening done at least.