Off Season Bike Training

Don't forget about the veldrome! There's no rain there. That's where I do a lot of my hard training in the winter.

I ride my road bike too, but I also have a winter road bike so it's not too hard on my race bike. I think 9 speed (wider chain, easier to maintain) is better for winter riding anyway. And I have some Gatorskin tires which are better than race slicks for winter. I have no problem training outside in the rain, but you can often find a couple of hours when it isn't raining.

I just got a mountain bike and I've been riding a bit. I'm a little bit more worried about riding over slick rocks and roots, but maybe crashing won't hurt as much when the ground is wet?  So far I've been riding in Pacific Spirit Park (more of cross riding), Stanley Park (pretty challenging for me, lots of walking sections over trees and logs), SFU perfect riding for me, I like the Dead Moped, Jim's Jungle and the North Road trail. Here's a map. I've also been mountain biking around the trails of Lost Lake in Whistler which were pretty good too and in Kamloops a lot because I have a good friend who lives there.

Oh, I even tried a cyclocross race this year which is pretty good training in the winter.

So there's lots of options. I never get on the trainer. 

I'll call you next time Leah. I went on Sunday and while it was raining, it was actually a lot nicer to be in the trails in the rain. Maybe it's because it is partially covered by trees or maybe it is because you aren't going as fast and therefore don't get the rain pounding against you, but it was much more pleasant.

I'm trying to work my way up to being good enough to go on Mel's. I'm going to Kamloops this weekend to mountain bike. Maybe after that.