In the Netherlands the cycling season mostly runs from March to the end of October I believe, however I am planning to do rides 12 months a year. Of course during the winter months it will not always be on the road bike but that's the time of the year the MTB comes in handy How many months per year are you riding?
All year. The coldest it gets is perhaps freezing, but even then only for a few hours once or twice a year.
about 11 months for me There are a few weeks during december and january when temperatures are lower than -5C or there's too much snow for my liking. Riding through the slush in the city is no fun.
Any weather, any time when I was commuting. Nowadays, road riding down to about 4C (40F), but offroad is not bad even when well below freezing. The one thing I do not like, however, is mud. So no mtn biking for me when its wet. It also tears up the trails.
I am going for a year round riding experience as well from now on. Might be a bit chilly during the winter but i'll have to buy some proper clothing to protect myself Haven't seen a period of snow here in the last five years so i'll bet you this year we'll be having severe snowfall instead
All year round for me. I did it last year. Commuting helps but with a 12 week winter base training programme in place quite a bit is done on a turbo. I've invested in good cateye 400 lights (front & rear)for certain sessions out on quite country roads. It made the winter months tic by nicely.
I used to ride all year round but not anymore. These days i find my body reacts much better to having a few weeks off to completely recover. It's also nice to have a mental break too - not to mention avoiding the cold and miserable weather during the off season here in the UK. My body generally tells me when it's time to quit for the year - and also when it's ready to get started again. Typically i'll taper my riding down from early October and stop completely by the end of Oct. I'll resume early Feb. Sometimes a little later. Each year i'm always itching to get back on the bike and I really enjoy re-training my body after the layoff. Once you get past the first couple of weeks which are always a bit grim, I love that feeling that you are getting stronger almost every time you get on the bike. The fact i lose condition during the off season is a positive for me. The ramp up is much more motivating and exciting than the minimal gains for exponentially more effort later in the season. The single biggest thing i'm learning as i get older is to listen to my body - and i think it's making me a more intelligent rider as a result. I'm not as fast as i used to be - but i'm learning more how to get the best from what i've got left.
That rings a bell. I am learning that, now I have started more serious cycling. Also cycling is a most gentle sport (if you want...). You can feel when you need to take it easy or can put on more steam. And it tells you to correct your position if something hurts. Maybe swimming is even more gentle, but then you get to see places, not the same pool everyday I like cycling so much that I will go around the year. Bought some rain gear. Will see how it goes, listening carefully.
