The Chainlink

Impart Winter Biking Wisdom Here

I'm sick. I came down with a cold on Monday night. It's not a terrible cold, but it kept me up throughout the night and it's keeping me from going roller skating tonight (dang!)  I need to rest because I have tons o' stuff planned this weekend.

I have been on the fence about riding my bike today. I feel like I shouldn't because I'm sickie. Then again, I feel like if I don't, I'll be setting up a pattern of bike winter failure! I did go out at 9 a.m. for a short ride to a client's house. I'd planned to stop at the co-op afterward, but I felt like crap.

What should I do? Is this the day that tips the scale and makes me no longer ride in the winter? I always feel like once something is a habit, it sticks! I'd hate to break my habit. I've been doing so well.

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Permalink Reply by Davo on December 8, 2010 at 11:22am
I find that if I don't ride, I get more sick. The excersise and brisk air could help beat that cold. It works for me anyway.
Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on December 8, 2010 at 11:27am
No one likes being sick. Riding a bike in winter didn't make you sick. Riding a bike in winter probably won't make you sicker. For me, a little moderate exercise when I'm sick makes me feel better both psychologically and physically by actually alleviating some of the symptoms and making me feel like I'm not "giving in" to being sick. (If that doesn't work, you can also try a couple of beers, antihistamines and operating farm machinery).
Permalink Reply by in it to win it 8.0 mi on December 8, 2010 at 11:28am
Hunker down Thu - Sun. Don't leave your house. You'll be better off for it.
Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on December 8, 2010 at 11:29am
Same here. Getting out there can help keep the immune system in a fighting mood. Of course, sometimes it's more of the war on sickness than a battle and there's no way you'd find yourself outside voluntarily.
Davo said:
I find that if I don't ride, I get more sick. The excersise and brisk air could help beat that cold. It works for me anyway.
Permalink Reply by Duppie on December 8, 2010 at 11:29am
Can you define what constitutes a bike winter failure?

This will be my fourth winter riding my bike. I absolutely consider myself a year round rider, yet in past years, I took public transportation at least once a week during the winter, for all kinds of reasons. Sick, lazy, bad weather, tired, you name it. Bailing out one day doesn't make you a failure.

Biking in the winter can be a lot more successful if:
a) you recognize your own limits and accept them.
b) are willing to adapt to the chancing weather conditions. You might have planned to go to the co-op, but tomorrow (Thursday) looks like a better day weather-wise. Can you postpone the co-op visit until tomorrow?.

Good luck with riding through this winter!
Permalink Reply by knowbody on December 8, 2010 at 11:38am
propolis extract in a tea will make that nasty feeling go away... learned this from my babcia (polish grandmother) who is 102.
Permalink Reply by Holly on December 8, 2010 at 11:44am
I notice that just in the short amount of time I've been riding in this colder weather, it's become a habit. I just do it. When I start waffling and don't do it, I feel like I'm going to go back to being a fair weather rider. That is fine. I never minded being one in the past, but my plans for the winter included being more like you guys--year round riders and happily so!

You don't know this, but I used to see people on bikes all winter long for many, many years in the city. I even lived with someone who was a winter cyclist and he absolutely amazed me. He'd ride in any weather. There were probably only about a dozen times in the season that he'd choose not to. (I suppose the winter tights I got him for his birthday helped:)) Anyway, when I'd see all these bikers out there, I would just think, "I wish I could do that," but I never tried. Now that I've tried, I don't want to go back to my old ways.

I agree. It's not bad to bail now and then, but it feels so early for that. I have another dog walk in 15 minutes. Maybe that will change my mind once I get out there and see that it's actually 20º and not 12º like it was this morning.

I can go to the co-op anytime, I just felt like a total wimp. I tried to talk myself into just going and yet my legs somehow pedaled me home.
Permalink Reply by Holly on December 8, 2010 at 12:48pm
I'm leaving. On Chet. :)

I ride past Herbaland on Milwaukee. They should have the Propolis extract, shapeshifter. It sounds barfy, but I'll try it! I want this cold gone. Red Moon Winter Pageant tomorrow night! And all kinds of stuff this weekend, IITW. Doing nothing tonight, but the next three nights are packed with fun.

Thank heavens I don't have to operate farm machinery intoxicated or not!
Permalink Reply by Gin on December 8, 2010 at 2:52pm
Holly--you are too far gone to go back to being a fair weather rider, don't worry ;-) If your goal is to bike year round, I would not measure your success in whether you biked every day, but rather if you were able to generally keep up the habit month to month. Like, if you stopped biking for a week or two, and were missing it but just couldn't face the cold, then maybe you might want to worry a bit and need us to help you get back in the saddle. Feel better soon!
Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on December 8, 2010 at 3:00pm
My personal goal is to at minimum survive without a car, and ideally to live an active and eventful life even with periods of quasi-hibernation during the most extreme conditions (weather, illness.)
The bicycle is only one of a number of tools available to help achieve that goal.
I not only don't mind, but actually quite enjoy switching two-wheeled transport up with walking, bus (and less frequently train). On really snowy days, I probably trudge a total of 1-2 miles even when taking transit, so I'm not going to beat myself up for not getting any exercise.
Permalink Reply by Heather on December 8, 2010 at 3:13pm
I think it depends on "how" you get sick--I find my ear, nose, and throat system is pretty sensitive, so if that's where my cold is centered, riding in cold air (even all covered up) just makes things worse.
Permalink Reply by knowbody on December 8, 2010 at 3:21pm
cool beans holly! i also do an extraction my own from local bees in indiana (and even some i take care of on maui) if you want a bottle of some real potent (undiluted) schtuff just lmk.

Holly said:
I ride past Herbaland on Milwaukee. They should have the Propolis extract, shapeshifter. It sounds barfy, but I'll try it! I want this cold gone. Red Moon Winter Pageant tomorrow night! And all kinds of stuff this weekend, IITW. Doing nothing tonight, but the next three nights are packed with fun.

Thank heavens I don't have to operate farm machinery intoxicated or not!

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