Winter training - the good, the bad and the ugly

Last winter was different. I knew that I was preparing for an adventure (my Florida to Maryland ride). I kept my mileage up fairly well through the cold months, motivated to go out in temperatures and conditions that do not normally appeal to most riders (or do not appeal to most normal riders?). I was full time on the touring bike with simulated loads in the panniers (bags), riding four to five days a week, 15 to 30 miles per day. Oddly, I did not rack up too many long days (75 miles plus), even though that would typify a day in the saddle on a bike tour. Maybe it would have been ideal to ride several days in a row with high mileage as more meaningful training, who knows. But really, who has that kind of time with family and work? In hindsight, it didn't really matter. After 5 or 6 days on the road, you get acclimated.

It is my assertion that cold-weather training is a great boost to prepare for the more conventional bicycling months. The hardest part is getting the winter cycling clothes on and getting on the bike - especially when you feel the cold and wind out and about in civilian attire. But I digress. During fall and winter riding, heavier clothes and denser air add weight and resistance. Pedaling through these conditions can be depressing if you obsess on speed (or lack thereof), however it is a phenomenal way to work on endurance. When it finally warms up, not only is there the benefit of having ridden all winter, but the air is thinner and with fewer clothes, you feel like superman while your buddies are just getting there first rides in.

This winter has been different for me. I have no tour planned for the warm months of 2009. No doubt, I will do my usual smattering of club rides and centuries (62 and 100 mile event rides), but the motivation is not the same as if there was a tour in the offing. Accordingly, I have been outside less and in the gym more, cherry-picking the better days to be on the bike (like yesterday). I have been using mostly my road bikes. It was also easy to let a few pounds creep back onto the ol waistline. Time to start planning a tour ride.

The gym thing isn't so bad, really. Cyclists need to work abs, lower back and hamstring muscles in particular whenever they can. These muscle groups get almost no work from riding a bicycle. The abs and lower back in particular are part of your core. A well conditioned core contributes greatly to ride performance, form and endurance.

Still, I find myself wishing spring would come.

Larry