Basic Training Plans:

Do we get changeable weather in north Georgia?  In the Winter, yes we do!  Given that, there are four basic approaches to dealing with our climate in the “dark months.”

Plan 1)

The secret to happy and carefree riding, from this point until late May, is as follows:  Always carry with you, everywhere you go, at all times, two complete sets of absolutely every piece of clothing and equipment (including bicycle types) you might need to meet any conceivable combinations and permutations of weather and terrain.

Plan 2)

Quit riding until the weather conditions get back to a range that pleases you.

Plan 3)

Watch the weather carefully.  Learn meteorological science.  Dig deep into the National Oceanographic and Atmospherice Administration website, at http://www.noaa.gov/  and learn to evaluate and forcast.  Plan your riding and equipment with a sharp “weather eye.”  But be ready for surprises, and be flexible.  This is not an exact science.  Expect to have “bailout days,” when you will move inside to work on the trainer or rollers.

Plan 4)

Stop attempting to ride outside.  Follow a plan of gym work, and trainer/roller riding, and do all your riding inside until Spring takes a firm hold.

The obvious problem with Plan 1) is that you need to have a one ton dualie, and a fifth wheel trailer to use it.  The Plan 2) approach just stinks.  We’ve discussed the negative effects of that elsewhere.  Following Plan 3) works okay, but it’s a bit time consuming to start.  Besides, I’m assuming you want to ride and train, not go to Met School.  It is a fascinating topic, especially for those of us inclined to outdoor activities, and we’ll certainly mention some weather science from time to time.  The total indoor approach in Plan 4) will work, but it has two drawbacks.  You lose riding skills, and it’s boring.

{Bill the Alien here:  Road Dragon has left out another, perfectly wonderful and obvious approach.  I would like to suggest, just go someplace else.  Spend the Winter in the southern hemisphere.  Since you all inhabit a planet with seasons, you can be assured that it is always Spring or Summer somewhere.}

Ur.  Thanks, Bill. 

If you, like me, do not have a ready flying saucer available, keep watching these posts.  In the next few days and weeks, I’ll be discussing things that can, and should be added to your training activities.  This is stuff we all can do to get through the Winter in a sane and healthy fashion, and emerge “ride ready” Next Spring.  We'll go outside when it makes some sense to do so, and use good sound techniques for indoor work.  Stay tuned.