What do you for riding/training with 6 months of winter?

It's only October and we've been slammed with freezing temperatures and snow. Racing doesn't start around here until May. What do you do to stay sharp?

 

Move to a warmer climate.

 

Ice skate

 

When winter hits, I don't drink anymore until spring.























....I don't drink any less either

 

Eat more, struggle in the spring?

 

Ride dirtbikes on our home course and winter time hare scrambles

 

Fat bike groomed trails. Way too much work to go slow, but it helps.

 

Dirtbikes on the frozen lakes.

 

Travel and ride

 

Ice hockey and ice riding / racing. And 12 oz curls

 

I have noticed my appetite for beer goes up as the temperature goes down. Also my motivation to go to the gym in the morning is directly proportionate to the temperature outside, so then I really start to fall out of shape.

I may have to look into that fat bike thing. I've never ridden one but they look cool. I'd just hate for it to collect dust like my MTB does. Unfortunately I don't own a dirtbike. But when I do ride them my ambition outweighs my talent by a large margin

 

For a long time I'd plump up to 185 or so during winters then get down to 165 or so in the spring/early summer. The last couple years I've just maintained a steady 185. As long as I can squeeze into my leathers it's all good. The challenging part is finding a good selection of stouts and Barleywines during summer...fucking hipsters drive the market to churn out an endless array of IPA's.

 

For me, it really helps to have people to ride with. When it's in the single digits, misery loves company. Plus, lots of races in the region and if I'm going to be putting a number plate on it's good motivation to keep on top of the fitness.
Tires and tire pressure along with snow conditions can make or break your experience out there. If they groom trails around you and there's a biking community, the trails likely stay in decent shape and you can really rip on hardpacked singletrack. If you're breaking trail solo all the time, not so fun.

 

Come on out to SoCal. Racing in 2 weeks. Weather should be high-70s / low-80s.

The road bike is my only source of cardio these days, and I highly recommend it. Throw it on a trainer when the weather sucks, and go outside when conditions permit.

Used to do some YouTube HIIT workouts for 20-30 minutes, but having a toddler these days makes that a full contact endeavor as he tries to involve himself. But, super easy and accessible way to keep in shape!

 

I'm guessing the TX in your name doesn't mean you live in Texas? Move back.

 

Where can I look to get more useful info? I'm in Denver so there's gotta be people that do it. Just have to find where they are..

I left about six years ago but I've been in Denver for a year. It's where all my folks are so I'll probably move back.. Eventually.. But DFW has turned into a shit show since I left so I'd have to find somewhere else to resettle.

 

Denver? Does it really get that cold? I'd think there'd be a massive MTB community. And you could always ski.

 

My first thoughts too. Buy a season pass to Winter Park and ride the Ski Train !

 

In Denver the weather is variable and you will have "warm" days, to go riding dirtbikes at least. Bundle up and do it. In Alaska, where its cold all the time, there is downhill skiing--especially downhill racing, x country skiing, MTB, hockey, racquetball, just stay active. And get back on a dirt bike as early as you can.

 

6 years ago is when I moved to DFW from metro Atlanta, to many Yankees and California people here. Haha