Clifton CC

Sorry Tom, this may scupper your plans for page#7.

So let's hear it. I'm being very serious here, this is the biggest issue facing most of us - how to ride more.

So my suggestions as a starter are:

Fettle your bike at the end of each ride and have all ready to go if a window of opportunity opens up - if you only have an hour you don't want to be hunting around for your spare tube.
If you plan to ride after work, don't sit down - just get straight out; lethargy finds it harder to strike a moving target.
If you and your family are travelling somewhere then consider riding and meeting them there or half way. A good rendez-vous in a village you've not been to before is "outside the church" - always easy to find.

What are everybody elses tips. Much may seem obvious when you've been at this for a bit, but many haven't.

Rob wrote:Sorry Tom, this may scupper your plans for page#7.

Nice try, but the old thread has survived worse... I wouldn't write it off yet!

Ride to and from work. That's the biggest one for me. Not possible for everyone, but I do a 8 mile ride to/from work (the direct route is 2 miles) and that gives me 30 mins each way. Once I get home, I'm stuck.

I agree, cycle to and from work. My ride home is 20 minutes, but I often make a point of setting off in completely the wrong direction. 20 minutes in the wrong direction means I'm forcing myself to have an hours ride.

Much more productive than getting home, faffing around and then going for an hours ride and means I get home in time Coro.

Just to stir in something contentious - don't clean your bike. Clean and lube the chain after every wet/muddy ride, squirt a bit o' lube into the brake/dérailleur pivots, and otherwise leave well alone. nothing seems to suffer. The number of people I've heard saying "I hate winter riding because you spend so much time cleaning the bike..."

I'm with Arthur and Michael on this one. And on the way back from work, you can always up the distance by adding in a couple of diversions or loops unless there's anything really urgent to get home for.

David

Some wag said, "The best thing an athlete can do is choose the right parents" ie. genetics matters in sport.

Maybe the best thing a club cyclist can do is choose the right spouse: someone who earns plenty and either one doesn't want children, or loves them so much they are happy to look after them all their 'free' time... if they like watching cycling events, all the better!

Having spent the last couple of winters riding loops round Copmanthorpe/Applleton Roebuck it's worth thinking or swapping the road bike for a mtb, as adding a couple of off road loops gives a harder work out in a shorter time period and means you don't have to worry so much about road conditions.

If you are planning to ride later in the day remember to have a carbo snack an hour or so earlier. Remember to drink during the day.
(I tend to forget that one) Always have a bar with you for your pockets in case you have the chance to go further.

Sort out clothes especially if you don't have spares/willing washing and drying partner. Even really muddy/wet longs or jackets hung up to dry after a morning commute can be used in the evening. On a similiar note don't forget your shoes. If possible stuff with newspaper and put somewhere warm. Wet shoes can be made more bearable if you have waterproof socks or a plastic bag.

Keep lights charged up and have spare batteries.

Count every mile and watch your total go up, rather then fretting that once you again you didn't have the time etc and only got to take the short route.

Helen

Why are we all so intense about seizing every possible opportunity to get the miles in during the winter?

Perhaps the cold and dark are not challenges to overcome but gentle reminders that you can have too much of a good thing?

Even the racers should be able to manage on 2x 60-90min rides in the week and a decent Sunday run. Olympic hopefuls might want to add a turbo session or two. (Or maybe my attitude to winter training explains why I never got a result in a race!)

I agree that the occasional commute is a good thing, but if you aren't able to fit that in then so be it. The whole point of bike riding is surely to enjoy yourself, not to pressurise yourself into riding in dodgy conditions. Of course if you like doing that then fine, but let's not make anyone feel guilty for staying indoors and hiding from the weather.

Adjust your food intake, get out when you can and when the conditions are ok, and find other ways to keep ticking over. It'll soon be spring.

Nick

I feel abit annoyed if I don't get out, I am doing 18 miles every day, sometimes twice that if I want to, today I should have had a rest really so I went out doing a steady ride instead so I did not tire myself too much. I think it is better cycling in winter, well when it is dry it is anyway.

How is it any different cycling in the winter compared to the summer if you have a city on your doorstep? Dark cant be the problem and surely cold does not effect anyone as long as they are well covered up?

today I should have had a rest really so I went out doing a steady ride instead

Honestly Will, you'll ......oh what the heck, just do what you want and enjoy it