How to push through.
By Lindsay Southwick
You were cycling consistently for months. You built some solid endurance, got a faster cadence and were climbing and shredding better than ever. You created some good habits and were in a good rhythm. Then … the holidays. You limped your way through, squeezed in a ride when you could and committed to getting back in the saddle at the beginning of the year, only to be met with the reality of winter.
The winter rut. There are many factors that can unexpectedly lead us there. Lack of light, cooler temps, trail or road conditions and precipitation are all guilty of throwing us off track. Sometimes the group rides that helped us stay consistent and gave us a social outlet go by the wayside as well. If any (or all) of these sound familiar, take heed. You are not alone. Winter has the tendency to get the better of many of us.
Fear not, fellow rider. We are here for you. We have eight remedies that are sure to cure the common cold-weather funk.
1. Relax.
First and foremost, relax! It’s OK if the weather gets in the way of cycling for a few days, even a week or so at a time. You may be down, but you are not out. Take the pressure off yourself. Winter in The Natural State is usually gracious and will likely offer you some mild weather now and then. If there’s a stretch that is less than desirable, take a breath and know that a good riding day may be right around the corner.
2. Plan.
Decide when, not if, you’re going to get your ride or workout in. Look at your schedule as well as the weather outlook. Take advantage of the good days and make a plan for the ones that look iffy. As with anything, a plan is hollow if it’s not written down. Add your workout to your calendar to increase the odds of you following through with it.
3. Gear up.
“There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing,” says Crystal Anthony, a competitive cyclist for Liv Racing who also runs her own coaching business. (She’s also from the Northeast, so she’s got serious street cred when it comes to training in the elements.)
“Investing in some key pieces is worth it if you want to keep cycling through the winter,” Anthony says. “You may get through a cold or windy ride without it, but you won’t enjoy it and aren’t likely to do it again and again.”
Cold weather gear has come a long way. Gone are the days of layering three pairs of cotton socks onto your inevitably cold feet. Take advantage of the clothing the 21st century has to offer. While good gear can be expensive, remember you don’t need to fill an entire closet. A few good pieces layered correctly will get you far. Cold weather gear also gets less wear than your other garb, so it has the potential to last a long time.
Some key pieces worth having include: a wind-proof outer layer, wool socks, good shoes, shoe covers, leggings, full-finger gloves, neck and face cover and a head cap. If you need something more for those extra-cold rides, Anthony suggests wearing latex gloves under your cycling gloves, wearing hand warmers on your wrist, and putting Vaseline on your face to minimize the windburn. Remember, your hands and feet get cold first, so pay special attention to those.
4. Be adventurous.
Be a little brave! Look at cold weather or lack of light as an opportunity to have an adventure.
“Riding together in the elements can really draw people together,” Anthony says. “Even if it’s a long, wet, cold ride, it will likely be an experience you’ll be talking about for a long time. Sometimes you just gotta go for it.”
If it’s an especially cold day, warm up before going outside. Do 5-10 minutes of push-ups, jumping jacks or running in place so you’re warm before your wheels are even in motion.
5. Look for alternatives.
Taking it indoors is likely your most reliable option this time of year. I know it seems less than ideal because getting into Mother Nature is one of the things we love most about cycling, but expecting to stay consistent with an outdoor sport during the winter months is a little naive.
Look around for some indoor cycling classes or head to the gym for some cross-training alternatives. If gyms aren’t your thing, it may be worth investing in a Peloton or a trainer. Apps, like Zwift, that are specifically designed for use on a bike trainer may be worth the monthly subscription. There are also scores of apps that offer a variety of strength, balance or cardio workouts you can do at home. It’s good to mix things up a bit from time to time. Bad weather may give you the opportunity to do just that.
6. Lighten up.
Limited daylight is a legitimate problem, not to mention a safety concern. Thankfully for us, technology is on our side on this one, too. Between headlights, taillights, wheel lights, and lights for your helmet, you can let yourself be seen as well as easily see what’s ahead of you. There are lights out there with the ability to illuminate an entire hillside, some with as many as 1,800 lumens. There are plenty of options at all price points. Do some research, find what’s right for you, and give it a go.
7. Sign up for an event.
Nothing motivates quite like a deadline. Sign up for an event in the spring or early summer, make a schedule and commit to sticking with it, rain or shine. Invite a friend to do it with you for additional motivation.
8. Embrace it.
This may be the most important piece of advice. Change your mindset about riding in the winter. Look at it as a challenge instead of a barrier, or worse, an excuse. Decide not to be a fair-weather shredder. Don’t just push through the winter months: Enjoy them!
Take things week by week and make a commitment to yourself to keep your body in motion. It’s doubtful you’ll regret going on a ride regardless of how cold, wet or windy it is. But you’ll likely be sorry if you let yourself — and your routine — get off track. Apply one, two or all eight of these strategies and before you know it, sunny days will be here again. The weather will increasingly cooperate and you will be rolling out in no time, no worse for the wear, and likely complaining about the heat.