Does a seasonal cyclist lose fitness over a winter break?

[Moodyman]

I'm gonna tell you like it is bruv.

You' ll be back to square root, turn into a fat ugly schmuck, your girl will dump you and your work will consider you surplus to requirements.

So yep, keep riding and stay gorgeous.

 

[Citius]

Started commuting by bike last month and it was hard at first but getting easier now. My plan is to carry on until the dark nights and cold come in November and then pick it up again in the spring. Would this mean going almost back to square one in terms of my fitness for next spring? Would 4 or 5 months off make a big difference? Thanks

4 or 5 months off WILL put you back to square one. Whoever says otherwise is just wrong.

 

[Markymark]

4 or 5 months off WILL put you back to square one. Whoever says otherwise is just wrong.

Nope. I had an injury and have been off the bikes for 4 months. Only slightly behind where I was and am quickly catching up.

 

[Licramite]

well my cycling build up after winter has been severly disrupted but I think I've got my stamina back upto speed, just got to convince my bum! - which is complaining the most at present.

 

[Citius]

You can't have been very far forward to start with then?

 

[Markymark]

You can't have been very far forward to start with then?

Cycle regularly 50+ miles averaging 16.5 mph on my own. Not going to win any awards but I'm happy with that.

 

[Keith Oates]

Nothing can beat actually cycling for both enjoyment and keeping fit but if the weather is bad and the roads are icy then on a static bike in the gym it will keep you in fairly good shape.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ayceejay]

You will lose cycling fitness yes but you can maintain your cardio a nd flexibility off the bike, you just need to recognize this so when the bike comes out of the shed in spring yo take it easy for a while.
Cycling alongside a canal in the dark is a unique problem but when it comes to weather I decided a long time ago that only going out in perfect weather meant that I had chosen the wrong activity.

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

I am sluggish after about 5 to 6 days off the bike
Fortnight and its bloody hard work cause you still remember how fast you were!

 

[Licramite]

You can't have been very far forward to start with then?

Thats the advantage, the further you are behind the less you have to do to catch up.

 

[MisterStan]

I am sluggish after about 5 to 6 days off the bike
Fortnight and its bloody hard work cause you still remember how fast you were! whenever on my bike

FTFY

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

FTFY

Lmao

I think your right!

 

[busman]

Fitness is defiantly lost if you take a winter break. Just starting to get my fitness level back

 

[SomethingLikeThat]

After a month off due to waiting for a fork replacement I definitely noticed things a lot sorer and achey than they usually would be after my first ride back.

 

[Dan B]

There is never the wrong weather, just the wrong clothes.

Tell that to someone with Raynaud's syndrome.