Conference noted::bicycle

    
    	Dave Munns, should we expect any sympathy from you?
    

    switch (you)
    {
      faithful bicycling commuter:   weather is *never* an issue;
      recreational cyclist:          weather is *rarely* perfect; /* too
                                                                     windy,
                                                                     hot,
                                                                     cold,
                                                                     wet.
                                                                   */
      racing cyclist:                trainer makes weather a non-issue;
    }

I'm not happy, but today is a rest day and tomorrow is weights, even if it was
nice out, so timing-wise, it is not TOO BAD.  Buddy, we'll be riding again
before the week is over.  Maybe not on the brand-new Mooney, but I'll have the
fixed-gear out, complete with fenders.

Tim

(it does kind of stink when you realize (when I realize) I was out riding in a
skinsuit yesterday)

    
    
    All I can say is rollers, rollers and more rollers. Tacx Rollers with
    one resistence fan (attached to the rollers), an electric air moving
    fan blowing in your face and a VCR/TV with bike racing videos are the
    way to go.
    
    -regards
    Wayne V
    
    

My Tacx rollers sucked.  The PVC drums got a flat spot while in storage. 
Replacement drums are not available.  Kreitlers are the best.  Get a killer
headwind fan and you are history.  BTW, Tacx makes the house-brand rollers for
Performance and Nashbar.

   ... "weather is rarely perfect"? How about simply rideable? That's all
    we're asking after a long winter. we deserve it. We've perservered.
    We're hitting the trainer. It's spring. Mother Nature owes us one.
    We haven't seen a spring in a few years. 
    
    This whole mess was so NOT necessary.
    
    Chip

RE: <<< Note 3196.7 by WMOIS::GIROUARD_C >>>

>   ... "weather is rarely perfect"? How about simply rideable? That's all
>    we're asking after a long winter.

Chip, you got me to thinking about the past few winters' riding that I've been
able to do. In a nutshell, this has been a good cycling winter (December-
February) for me. Here's the breakdown, for anyone interested (in miles): 

	1993:	194
	1994:	 63 (lots of snow that year)
	1995:	465
	1996:	162 (lots of snow last year)
	1997:	463

This is almost entirely lunchtime rides, except for this year when I was able
to commute four days in February and once in December.
						-- Tom

    A couple of very impressive years there, Tom. 
    
    I simply don't have it in me to continue through the winter regardless
    of the conditions. I usually have to take 6-8 weeks off just to be a
    little wreckless with my diet and bad habits :-).
    
    Chip

    When it snows.........switch to the MTB!  

I have 975 miles to date, 75 in Jan, 300 in Feb, 595 in March.  See

http://asaab.zko.dec.com/~lucia/training/mar1997.jpg

for more details.  400 of those 975 are on the fixed gear (labeled "Fuji" in the
graph.)

It's easy to complain about this week, but I'd take a hundred winters like this
past one over 10 winters like last.  I'm 600+ miles ahead of last year already.

Oh, and nowhere have I mentioned the 500Km+ I've done on rollers.  We'll see
large patches of grass again by the weekend.

Tim

    It certainly has been a challenge the last few mornings trying to
    remember which driveways have the lower-than-the-snowbank type of
    cars and when they pull out to go to work (usually without looking,
    which is why it's worth remembering).
    K