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Hi

Been riding a few months now but this is the first winter, last week Thorndon was still ridable but after this weeks rain I gave it a miss, I don't mind muddy but I do wanna be able to move lol.

How do you guys keep your legs turning in the winter is it just a case of waiting for the dryish weekends or do you move to the fire tails ?

Its my first winter as well i got better tyres warmer clothing,change of clothes for drive home and plough on through!

Hard at first but it does become easier.

One way to look is your going to loos fitness by staying in looking out window.

Just get out and ride good jacket and shorts and waterproof sock .
Swim - Cheap
Spin class - If you got a gym membership of can pay per class
Turbo Trainer - Cheap on ebay. Most people say they boring as why they cheap.

Downside winter riding part break

Cover yourself in Deep Heat....

I have to say the only thing that I hate about winter riding is the clean up afterwards. Everything get's rotten. Cold isn't any bother, it's the rain. Water proof clothing is a trade-off between breathability and warmth. Wear a layer of Under Armour/Compression tops and bottoms, they wick away moisture and keep you warm.

Just suck it up and do it , it makes the spring/summer riding so much enjoyable as your fitness goes through the roof and you can keep on going =) and your skills improve too as staying upright isa challenge lol

I've embraced the fact I'll get dirty, and the rides will generally be slower. Biggest problem for me is I can only really get out after work on weekdays, so 17.30 earliest. By time I've finished a ride and got back home, I have to try and wash the bike in the dark. I've got a work light, but it's still a pain in the ass.

I've only done weekends for the last 2 weeks now, which is a shame because I can already feel my fitness level dropping

Just go riding anyway
hit trail centres if you want to ensure better conditions

it doesn't make much odds if you clean the bike the following day/evening

maybe look at picking up a road bike?

I take mine straight to the jet wash and carefully rinse the worst off being carefull near anything like b bracket and forks !
always lit areas!!

Thordon isn't very muddy yet, wait it's really mucky then you'll learn new skills.

Went out on Thursday over Thorndon and was suprised how dry most of the trails were.

Been riding down too the rspb centre on rainham marshes along the thames estuary!you can ride this route all year round!

If you're going to leave it overnight before cleaning it, at least douse the chain in GT85 or something similar..

As for riding in the muck - I'd agree with those who say "just go out and do it", the more you do in the wet / mud / snow, the better you'll be in the dry. Just get some decent tyres and take it easy to start with.

na it's lubed regularly it will be fine after one night

You mean I've been doing it all this time for nothing??

Standard

A habit, for sure and not a bad one bit OCD maybe ... or CDO if you like the letters in the right order ;o) .... part of the ritual that has evolved ove rthe years, every time I get home from a ride; If I can't clean it there and then, I lubricate everything then clean it the next day