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

Reminiscing or Planning the next Hurrah?

So anyway, every other Friday I have a day off from work - perfect for a long bicycle ride. After an hour or so of pedaling alone along the rural roads, the endorphins and solace tranport me to my next great adventure. And so I got to seriously thinking about that today as I pedaled through the beautiful Susquehanna State Park here in Harford County, Maryland. While most folks were working, I was taking in the unseasonably warm February weather thinking where next. Maybe Bel Air, Maryland to Dearborne, Michigan. A friend of mine has been wanting to do just that because he has family there. It would be a ten day trip west through south PA, then north up to Erie; then along Lake Erie and ...well, then again, maybe I would go most of the way, and meet my family in Sandusky! Sandusky is supposed to have the ultimate in roller coaster rides. The park juts out into the midst of Lake Erie - it looks pretty cool on the maps. My friend would have only another day or two to ride into Dearborn solo.

Or

Or I am also considering taking the family to Washington DC and riding the Mount Vernon Trail again. I took this paved trail in during the second to last day in my Florida to Maryland solo ride (check out my book: 'Once Upon a Bike' on Amazon.com). My daughter is 8 and she could see the Capitol, Lincoln Memorial and, Washington Monument all by bike. That would be very cool.

And

In a few years, when I can create some time in my life, I will do a transamerica ride. Let me know if you want to go. I am looking at summer 2012. From what I have read, this little undertaking will take 45 to 60 days depending on route selection and average daily mileage.

Well, when it started to rain and the wind really picked up, I was tranported back to the more immediate concerns of leaning into the wind and keeping my glasses clear.

Its been a wonderful first blog. Enjoyed it. I would love to hear from fellow touring and roadie enthusiasts.

Larry