It's Cold, Dark, and Wet... How Do You Stay Motivated to Keep Riding?

The dark side of Autumn has fallen and it's much harder to motivate. Yesterday it rained for most of the day and I motivated myself right into a self-imposed rest day. Knowing I have a lot of cold, wet days ahead, I am hoping for some Chainlinker advice...

How do you get out there on your bike when it's cold and crappy out?

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Permalink Reply by David Altenburg on October 28, 2015 at 3:43am

1. Walking to and waiting for the CTA is even less pleasant in crappy weather.

2. A few minutes on the bike warms me right up.

3. It's pretty much the only time outdoors I'll get for the next few months.

4. It's a fun challenge when it gets really nasty

Permalink Reply by Eric R on October 28, 2015 at 7:12am

And not being crammed on a bus or train.

Permalink Reply by David Altenburg on October 29, 2015 at 3:22am

Yeah, I forgot that one. I get pretty cranky when I don't ride.

Permalink Reply by Filka Bean on October 29, 2015 at 3:17am

yup: one rush hour ride on the CTA (yesterday) and I'm cured for another season...  Ha ha!

Permalink Reply by Steve G on October 28, 2015 at 4:22am

I have to get to where I'm going, so I don't give myself a choice... I have good gear to stay relatively dry and warm, and good lighting to help stay alive, and it gives me a rush to be out there in extreme conditions when hardly no one else is. 

It would be real hard to get out and ride just for a fitness ride, for sure.

Permalink Reply by Ryan Stahlman on October 28, 2015 at 4:26am

I enjoy the challenge on tailoring my outfit to deal with the changing weather conditions. This time of the year is always tricky because the conditions can change day to day or even change within the day. 

I've gone as far as creating a spreadsheet that catalogs the different combinations I wear each day. Pretty geeky, but it has been helpful to look back and see what I wore on similar days. 

Permalink Reply by Lisa Gordon on October 30, 2015 at 8:53am

Call me a geek, too, but I think that's a great idea!  When winter comes, I can't always recall which combination of gear is right for which kind of weather until I ride with the wrong stuff one day and either freeze or sweat.

Permalink Reply by Jim Reho on October 28, 2015 at 4:31am
It saves me the equivalent of one good beer over public transportation. That's enough motivation for a simpleton like me!
Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on December 1, 2015 at 7:15am

My non-bike commute is on Metra from Evanston. That's $8.55 per round trip for me. Biking to work saves me a small chunk of change as well as all the health and mental alertness benefits. Plus, I pretty much have the Lakefront Trail to myself until next March or April. The benefits are endless!

Permalink Reply by Maurice on October 28, 2015 at 6:23am

Rain sucks, but these temps are ideal for cycling IMO.

Permalink Reply by Sam A. on October 28, 2015 at 7:26am

I found out yesterday that my shower caps fits over my helmet perfectly! 

Permalink Reply by Ryan Stahlman on October 28, 2015 at 8:28am

That is pretty ingenious.

I've found that some helmet manufacturers provide plastic helmet covers that match the shape of their different helmet models. For example, Lazer has these:

http://www.modernbike.com/lazer-helmet-covers

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