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 6:22am
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 6:27am
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 6:28am
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 6:29am
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 6:29am
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 6:38am
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 6:44am
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 7:48am
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 9:52am
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 Heather on December 8, 2010 at 10:13am
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 10:21am
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!
Permalink Reply by Holly on December 8, 2010 at 11:25am
Guess who went out today on her bike? It was all right. Not great, but just fine.

I am mostly fatigued from dog walking. On my last leg of the route, I'm really cold and tired. It's an easier schedule than I've had in a long time, though, so I am fortunate that I'm out there a lot less than I was last winter. (When I add another dog or two, it's going to be ruff...sorry, bad pun.)

I just have a cold. It's not the end of the world and I expect it to be gone in a few days.

Shapey--I bought something called Bee's Winter Defense. I'm concerned about taking something that tastes icky. If you think it tastes all right, I'd love to try some of your potent stuff.

Howard--There are lots of other ways to get around and walking a mile or two a day is great exercise. I know so many people who just don't move in the winter. I can't imagine having that lifestyle because I'd be so depressed. I know that biking really lifts my mood even on days like today which was not all that exhilarating.


Thanks everyone! I'm pretty happy to be done with today, except I still have to go out there to walk my dog and my neighbor's hound. Imma wait a little bit, but not too long or I'll be really cold again. Gin--you're right. I'm not going to worry about becoming a fair weather rider. That would be so boring :)

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