 Topic Name: Keeping your bikepacking legs during the winter???
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on: November 01, 2012, 08:32:22 AM
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Colorado Cool Breeze
Location: Colorado
Posts: 271
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« on: November 01, 2012, 08:32:22 AM » |
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What do you do to keep your legs and lungs in shape thru the winter months?
I have a Schwinn Personal Trainer 105 stationary bike but I am lucky to stay on it for more that 15 minutes.
I can't think of anything more boring than peddling in place.
I thought I'd try some Schwalbe Marathon Winter HS 396 Studded Road Bike Tire on the 29er (700x35, Allround Wire Beaded, Reflex)
and try to keep my current schedule of bike path riding 4 days a week.
No changes are planned for the 26" bikes since they already have good off road tires for snow and mud.
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Topic Name: Keeping your bikepacking legs during the winter???
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Reply #1 on: November 01, 2012, 08:35:15 AM
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bmike-vt
Location: Horgen, Switzerland
Posts: 1122
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« Reply #1 on: November 01, 2012, 08:35:15 AM » |
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Topic Name: Keeping your bikepacking legs during the winter???
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Reply #2 on: November 01, 2012, 10:46:13 AM
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Mario
Location: Whitehorse, Yukon
Posts: 34
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« Reply #2 on: November 01, 2012, 10:46:13 AM » |
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I'll second that! Fatbike!  |
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Topic Name: Keeping your bikepacking legs during the winter???
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Reply #3 on: November 01, 2012, 10:58:33 AM
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Done
Posts: 1434
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« Reply #3 on: November 01, 2012, 10:58:33 AM » |
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Run, ski, hike.
I also ride rollers--they are more interesting than a regular trainer. Roads and bike paths on warmer days when they melt out.
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"Done"
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Topic Name: Keeping your bikepacking legs during the winter???
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Reply #4 on: November 01, 2012, 11:23:25 AM
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Eastman
Location: St. John's, Newfoundland
Posts: 55
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« Reply #4 on: November 01, 2012, 11:23:25 AM » |
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Get yourself a fatbike, CCB - you seem to like your toys.  I struggle less with what to do in the winter than I do with the shoulder seasons, which we are into now (here at least). I agree with Toby - mix it up a bit. I run, swim and snowshoe. |
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Topic Name: Keeping your bikepacking legs during the winter???
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Reply #5 on: November 01, 2012, 11:56:30 AM
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Colorado Cool Breeze
Location: Colorado
Posts: 271
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« Reply #5 on: November 01, 2012, 11:56:30 AM » |
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Get yourself a fatbike, CCB - you seem to like your toys. I struggle less with what to do in the winter than I do with the shoulder seasons, which we are into now (here at least). I agree with Toby - mix it up a bit. I run, swim and snowshoe. I just bought a FS 29er to outfit into a rails to trails bikepacker no way my wife would allow a 4th bike right now. As much as I love looking at the fatbikes and reading trip reports from the far North, your part of the woods, I've never gotten the bug to build one. I don't think Denver gets enough snow. My Yeti AS-X with 2.35's will have to do.  |
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« Last Edit: November 02, 2012, 08:49:04 AM by Colorado Cool Breeze »
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Topic Name: Keeping your bikepacking legs during the winter???
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Reply #6 on: November 01, 2012, 08:36:54 PM
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stumpyfsr
Posts: 94
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« Reply #6 on: November 01, 2012, 08:36:54 PM » |
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CCB, I ride singletracks in Minnesota all winter long - folks with fatbikes do a great job by making routes rideable.
I dont want to invest in studed Nokian tires, so Purgatory 2.25 works perfect except on pure ice.
Also, cross-country skiing is nice workout.
And recently I got a great deal on 2011 Pugsley, so it's now waiting for snow (I rode it already a bit). Will see how it perform
Your Yeti with those 2.35 will keep you riding till snow melt
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Topic Name: Keeping your bikepacking legs during the winter???
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Reply #7 on: November 02, 2012, 02:03:02 AM
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Eastman
Location: St. John's, Newfoundland
Posts: 55
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« Reply #7 on: November 02, 2012, 02:03:02 AM » |
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Also consider spin classes and weight training.
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Topic Name: Keeping your bikepacking legs during the winter???
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Reply #8 on: November 02, 2012, 11:44:41 AM
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Colorado Cool Breeze
Location: Colorado
Posts: 271
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« Reply #8 on: November 02, 2012, 11:44:41 AM » |
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Wow Mike two winter bike nice. I just love the lines of the Salsa bikes. Great picture.
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« Last Edit: November 03, 2012, 02:28:06 PM by Colorado Cool Breeze »
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Topic Name: Keeping your bikepacking legs during the winter???
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Reply #9 on: November 02, 2012, 12:02:12 PM
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bmike-vt
Location: Horgen, Switzerland
Posts: 1122
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« Reply #9 on: November 02, 2012, 12:02:12 PM » |
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Wow Mike two winter bike nice. I just love the lines of the Salsa bikes. Great picture.
nah, i have run studs on my ti indy fab road bike too. just make use of what i got. studs on the fargo is fun for mountain biking, until the cables freeze up. the pugsley is just silly fun on snow or sand or wherever... awesome bike. love me my fargo though. other bikes started collecting dust when it arrived. wouldn't mind me a single speed el mariachi though for a pure mountain bike... but the budget isn't there. |
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Topic Name: Keeping your bikepacking legs during the winter???
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Reply #10 on: November 02, 2012, 12:38:29 PM
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Done
Posts: 1434
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« Reply #10 on: November 02, 2012, 12:38:29 PM » |
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until the cables freeze up.
Ever try Gore cables? Expensive, but maybe freeze-proof? Pretty mud-proof, so I expect that they might work well in the winter too. |
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Topic Name: Keeping your bikepacking legs during the winter???
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Reply #11 on: November 02, 2012, 03:31:49 PM
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bmike-vt
Location: Horgen, Switzerland
Posts: 1122
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« Reply #11 on: November 02, 2012, 03:31:49 PM » |
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Yup, have gore on my Indy fab randonneuring rig. Love em. Expensive though, and the inner on the rear has started to slide into the outer at the shifter in less than a year.
But yeah, that would help. Going to re route under the TT with a full run. Will ad a clamp on stop for the front derailer until I decide to make it permanent and have a frame builder add braze on stops.
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Topic Name: Keeping your bikepacking legs during the winter???
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Reply #12 on: November 02, 2012, 03:33:56 PM
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bmike-vt
Location: Horgen, Switzerland
Posts: 1122
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« Reply #12 on: November 02, 2012, 03:33:56 PM » |
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 mud-bb by mbeganyi, on Flickr |
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Topic Name: Keeping your bikepacking legs during the winter???
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Reply #13 on: November 02, 2012, 04:50:54 PM
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Colorado Cool Breeze
Location: Colorado
Posts: 271
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« Reply #13 on: November 02, 2012, 04:50:54 PM » |
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What do you guys think about Creatine, Glucosamine HCI and Chondroitin Sulfate to help with muscles and joint protection?
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« Last Edit: November 02, 2012, 06:02:29 PM by Colorado Cool Breeze »
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Topic Name: Keeping your bikepacking legs during the winter???
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Reply #14 on: November 03, 2012, 08:22:12 PM
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Adam Alphabet
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 968
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« Reply #14 on: November 03, 2012, 08:22:12 PM » |
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I pack up a bike with everything I need on it to live which really isn't much. Buy a plane ticket and go riding in some far away land for a month right before Christmas. Riding as much or as little as I feel each day, meeting new people, trying to learn a new language and just 'being away' turning over the cranks.
Gym in the new year to build strength and power and a lot of day dreaming about 'the next trip'. Works for me.
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@adamalphabet
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Topic Name: Keeping your bikepacking legs during the winter???
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Reply #15 on: November 11, 2012, 06:33:46 AM
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fotooutdoors
Posts: 206
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« Reply #15 on: November 11, 2012, 06:33:46 AM » |
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What do you guys think about Creatine, Glucosamine HCI and Chondroitin Sulfate to help with muscles and joint protection?
I'm not a physician, trainer, etc, but... From what I have read/learned from talking with a physician, Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate seem to offer joint protection if you have degeneration issues (several studies have shown the link, I don't have them on-hand). However, the same studies indicated that they won't do much for additional protection (ie protection for an acute injury). That said, the biggest issue with taking them unnecessarily is cost. Also, supplements are not very regulated, so make sure you get a reputable brand if you take the Glucosamine Chondroitin Sulfate (it should list the dosage of each on the bottle), as otherwise you may end up paying for a bunch of filler material. |
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Topic Name: Keeping your bikepacking legs during the winter???
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Reply #16 on: November 12, 2012, 02:06:30 PM
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Colorado Cool Breeze
Location: Colorado
Posts: 271
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« Reply #16 on: November 12, 2012, 02:06:30 PM » |
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I'm not a physician, trainer, etc, but...
From what I have read/learned from talking with a physician, Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate seem to offer joint protection if you have degeneration issues (several studies have shown the link, I don't have them on-hand). However, the same studies indicated that they won't do much for additional protection (ie protection for an acute injury). That said, the biggest issue with taking them unnecessarily is cost. Also, supplements are not very regulated, so make sure you get a reputable brand if you take the Glucosamine Chondroitin Sulfate (it should list the dosage of each on the bottle), as otherwise you may end up paying for a bunch of filler material.
That is the tricky part do you need it or not. I'm 58 with no knee or joint injuries. In my experiments I have found at 1500mg I notice my knees feel and work better. Anything less I don't even know I'm taking it. I've never taken over 1500mg per day. I've just started on Creatine I've read it helps build and hold muscle mass we will see. I've been considering a T test but I kind of like it that my little head no longer controls my big head. A big issue with some bikers. haha |
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« Last Edit: November 12, 2012, 02:58:32 PM by Colorado Cool Breeze »
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Topic Name: Keeping your bikepacking legs during the winter???
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Reply #17 on: November 15, 2012, 11:07:45 AM
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wahday
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 251
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« Reply #17 on: November 15, 2012, 11:07:45 AM » |
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I am fortunate to be able to day ride all year long. If its colder than 20 degrees, I will strongly consider not riding, but that doesn't happen all that often and even if it is that cold in the morning, it warms up fairly quickly. I actually really enjoy biking in the cold. Something about the crispness of the air and the increased visibility. Maybe also that few others are out. Last weekend I got out for a good 3 hours. It was 30 when I headed out at 6:30am and in the 40s when I returned. Loved it.
I am a runner too, and I like doing that in cold weather as well. I do get cold weather asthma sometimes, but have medication to manage it. So, cold weather doesn't slow me down much beyond not being able to extended excursions very easily.
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Topic Name: Keeping your bikepacking legs during the winter???
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Reply #18 on: December 12, 2012, 03:36:40 PM
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Ogre
Location: Bakersfield, Ca.
Posts: 10
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« Reply #18 on: December 12, 2012, 03:36:40 PM » |
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I live someplace where cold/snow is not much of an issue...but the short daylight hours are. I try to commute to/from work daily regardless of the conditions, about 21 miles each way. With the hours I work, this has me going both ways in total darkness for a month or so, limited dark for a larger portion of the year. Charging batteries at work and home was a PIA. I recently picked up a SON dyno hub lighting system and everything is much easier. Unfortunately, the only bike set up with the right configuration for the wheel is my bikepacking bike (Rohloff equipped Ogre)...and though it's great for bikepacking...not the quickest commuter. Wish I had built the wheel with a braking surface equipped rim, then I could swap it out to my CX bike for a lightweight winter commuter rig....or just build another wheel and light system for another bike...or better yet build a lightweight commuter specific rig...but my wife will kill me if I spend another dime in the near future on bike related stuff. But really, shouldn't we all have a different bike for every application?
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Topic Name: Keeping your bikepacking legs during the winter???
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Reply #19 on: December 26, 2012, 07:44:02 PM
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benajah
Posts: 12
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« Reply #19 on: December 26, 2012, 07:44:02 PM » |
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I don't know, winter is an issue. I race road too and my first race is Jan 1st, with a full season of MTB and road to follow, so my steady diet during the week is Netflix on an iPad in the garage with the road bike on a fluid trainer.
It sucks, but it is what it is, that's what it takes to keep the legs.
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