Question 1
"What do you enjoy most and look forward to about winter riding?"
[color=blue]Not sweating so profusely. No salty helmet straps and cool, crisp mornings. Also, when mountainbiking, there's just fewer people around so it feels like the trails are my own private playground.[/color]
Question 2
"what are your tips for handling wet, cold and miserable riding conditions?"
[color=blue]Realise that a waterproof is not about dry, it IS about warm. I don't think of any riding conditions as miserable. Having said that, a headband, good gloves and winter boots do a huge amount for mood improvement in moments of weakness.[/color]
Question 3
"Do you ride all year round? If so how do you stay motivated?
[color=blue]Yes, there's fewer people out in the winter, so it feels like a stolen pleasure.[/color]
Question 4
"Do you have a designated winter bike or do use the same bike all year round?
[color=blue]I have an old, steel mountainbike with road bars, 8 drivetrain, wide mudguards and 1.5" slicks (the "Frankenbike") that I use for winter rides. Strangely, riding behind me appears to be very popular on winter clubruns.[/color]
Question 5
"Do you pay special attention to cleaning and maintaining your bike in winter or do you just let it get worse and worse until spring?"
[color=blue]8 speed stuff seems to be more resilient in dirty conditions, and the mudguards seem to keep a lot of the worst away, so a hose down and re-lube seems to keep it running sweetly until the spring.[/color]
Question 6
"What are your favourite pre big-ride breakfasts?"
[color=blue]Cereal - muesli in summer, porridge in winter - and a slice of toast, oh and a huge mug of tea, will get me through the first 40 miles or so easily.[/color]
Question 7
"Do you make a conscious effort to either buy british or eat seasonal foods? If so why and do you think it improves your diet and health? "
[color=blue]My wife and I are making an effort to reduce our food miles, mostly as a sop to our huge carbon footprint. We also eat seasonal foods as a way to get some variety into what we eat. Don't know about diet and health, I'm still breathing, and that makes me happy.[/color]
Question 8
"In the winter do you do any other sports or go to the gym to make a change from cycling?"
[color=blue]Does mountainbiking count? maybe some swimming or the odd game of badminton. I'm allergic to gyms. I'd rather spend the money on some decent lights and go for a bike ride.[/color]
Question 9
"Are you planning a spring training camp? Why do you go? Is it for the sun, the miles or just as a holiday?"
[color=blue]No plans yet.[/color]
Question 10:
" Do you really struggle in the winter months with motivation, sleepiness or lethargy. Are you 'solar powered'? Does winter really get you down and if so what solutions work for you?"
[color=blue]I sometimes feel a bit lethargic, and depressed. I try to make the effort to make maximum use of the daylight hours in winter - go for a walk at lunchtime, get up early(ish) and get outside at the weekend. A good bike ride is a great tonic for me.[/color]