It seems to me……

[sevenfourate]

…..to be slightly quieter on here of late.

I presume less light, less warmth (For most) = less cycling. That in turn means less to talk about.

So what’s your Winter cycling routine ? Ride it out (Pardon the pun), pick and choose the good days, carry on regardless. Or…..?

 

[Drago]

My winter cycling routine = ride my bike a bit.

 

[johnnyb47]

This year started well with the cycling,but I must admit I've lost my mojo the last few months.
The weathers not helped, plus I've had loads of distractions going on.
Hopefully I will get back into it sooner than later

 

[All uphill]

I use my bike most days as I don't have a car. Into town and back is around 2 miles and I'll usually extend that a bit.

I have one longer ride each week, though these are shorter in winter - 20 to 25 miles rather than 40+.

The last few winters the various photo challenges on Cyclechat have given longer rides a purpose when the sun doesn't shine. I remember cycling a hilly and very wet 100km to get a village sign starting with 'V'. I would never have done that without the challenge.

 

[sevenfourate]

I use my bike most days as I don't have a car. Into town and back is around 2 miles and I'll usually extend that a bit.

I have one longer ride each week, though these are shorter in winter - 20 to 25 miles.

The last few winters the various photo challenges on Cyclechat have given longer rides a purpose when the sun doesn't shine. I remember cycling a hilly and very wet 100km to get a village sign starting with 'V'. I would never have done that without the challenge.

I ride a fair bit solo. The challenges for pics undoubtedly help my motivation too…..

 

[Big John]

Same routine all year. Three x 3 hour rides. As I'm retired I can, if necessary, switch the days but usually Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday. Been doing this for five years since packing up work. Not a fan of winter but hey ho.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Shall we let autumn get out the way first?

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/weather/seasons/autumn/when-does-autumn-start

No reduction in cycling yet. Plus 99% of this forum isn’t discussing cycling as such.

 

[HMS_Dave]

Cycling is my primary transport. I would prefer it if it wasn't raining, but it doesn't bother me massively, just leaves a mess on my bikes and boots.

 

[fossyant]

Talk of Winter. Just been cycling the King Alfred Way on CX bikes with camping gear the last four days. Busy riding !

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I don't have a car, there's no nearby bus to my work.
By the time I walk to the bus stop, I would have arrived at work on my bike.
There are 2 major supermarkets on my cycling route back from work, none should I take the bus.
There's no competition, the bike wins every time, even if it's raining.

 

[sevenfourate]

My cycling has literally been transformed this year….

At the ripe old age of 52 - I’ve realised getting my head down and chasing times / Strava PB’s etc isn’t all that cycling is about. Didn't take me long hey ? 😉

In recent years I used to cycle pretty much purely to burn calories. Now I’m using it as a way to explore, to see some scenery, to de-stress from work, as a social thing; now I’m in with a couple of groups / riding buddies…..I really look forward to getting out on any of the bikes; and am really-really loving the whole cycling vibe I’ve discovered. Or more to the point ‘made’ for myself. And long may it continue.

 

[EckyH]

The biggest single part of my cycling is commuting usually twice a week - roughly 24.5km one way. There are shorter routes but they are much more crowded with cars. That commuting helps me to keep the motivation up for cycling even in the "dark" months.
A foretaste of what is to come from last week:

On weekends I will explore the smaller paths in the area here with the single speed bike(s) - just riding and looking out for some photographic opportunities, trying to get into woodland photography.

E.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

As for if you really can’t get out on the bike apart from when it is dark. Fit some lights, they are really good these days and will see you right.

 

[biggs682]

I try and do the same all year around

 

[ColinJ]

I try and do the same all year around

In one way that is admirable, but in another... it is a bit, er, strange!

It is good to carry on riding through the winter, but why would you ride for the same number of hours in a winter week plagued by freezing fog, torrential rain, strong winds, sleet, hail etc. as you would in a beautifully warm and sunny week in summer (if we actually had them!)?

I have compromised now. I used to virtually abandon cycling for the winter but the 3-rides-a-week challenge has kept me going for 88+ weeks on the trot now. Even when I have been travelling, ill, or booked up with family gatherings, I have done at least a bare minimum of 3 x 30 minutes rides a week. In the winter not much more than that, but the average so far in 2024 has been 6 hours/week.