Winter conditioning?

[squall_line]

Nope, not for the bike, for us.

It's not time to put the bike away yet, but I figured I'd get the discussion started now.

When I moved from my F650 to my R1100S, it took my body a few weeks to adjust, and I know for a fact that my legs and lower back are stronger now than they were when I first got my bike. But, 3 months off of the bike this winter will surely cause those muscles to atrophy at least a little bit.

So, for those of us that live north of the Sun Belt, and don't have the time and money to go south to ride from Dec-March, does anyone have any recommendations on exercises to keep riding muscles in shape to reduce pain and strain when the riding season starts again? Surely N8 or someone else that rides professionally (or cares about their body) has a program they use during the season or during the off-season to keep conditioned...

The only thing I can think of off the top of my head is squats, but I have no idea on anything else.

Argue away!

[Highlander179]

gerbings!

[signit98]

squall line... there is a program out there, called P90X... it is brutal, takes 90 days but it will put you in the best shape of your life! My ex-GF is a PT and she says it is incredible... if you can keep it up...

I have just started it and it IS brutal... I also have to take it to a slightly milder level, because of my knees... but it seems to work very well... look it up... buy it on ebay for 1/2 the price and just do it!

[zx9rmal]

Originally Posted by Highlander179

gerbings!

Yup. One of the best investments I've made for gear.

[foobeemer]

Originally Posted by zx9rmal

Yup. One of the best investments I've made for gear.

That and Under Armour Cold Gear. At $49 for tops and $49 for bottoms they are the most expensive long underwear I've ever bought, but I will say they are worth every penny. Thin and not restrictive, they are proof that better living through chemicals is a fact!

[Highlander179]

Originally Posted by foobeemer

That and Under Armour Cold Gear. At $49 for tops and $49 for bottoms they are the most expensive long underwear I've ever bought, but I will say they are worth every penny. Thin and not restrictive, they are proof that better living through chemicals is a fact!

I nabbed up some Columbia Silk Thermals a few years ago at that giant outdoorsy place in PA... you know the one. They feel great on my assenballs.

Winter riding down to ~32º is no big deal. Regular overpants with waterproof liner, jeans, long underwear, gerbings full sleeve top, and leather jacket.

[Flatbutt1]

Originally Posted by signit98

My ex-GF is a PT and she says it is incredible... if you can keep it up..........just do it!

hehehe

[squall_line]

Well, at least ONE person actually answered my question...

SignIt, I appreciate the suggestion, but I have neither the time nor money to devote to getting in "military shape". I'm in fairly decent enough shape from my commute, which includes 50-60 miles on the S, a mile or so of a walk to and from the parking lot, and multiple trips up the stairs to my 3rd floor desk every day. I just want to preserve what I've gained over the summer and limit my recovery time in the spring. I already have a bench, olympic barbell set, dumbbells, and an exercise bike, so I'm fortunate enough to have that major expense out of the way.

To everyone else,

I have no problem riding in the cold. I have ridden in and will continue to ride in inclement weather, and have the gear with which to do it.

HOWEVER.

Once a 2-4 foot snowfall lands on the ground, it doesn't matter WHAT gear you have to keep warm... a bike isn't going anywhere. And in the MidWest, once that snow is on the ground, it tends to stay for 3 months, especially in towns that believe in snowpack instead of salt.

So, that said, any other suggestions on physical conditioning?

[PFFOG]

12oz curls of good German beer.

[Flatbutt1]

I do a LOT of bicycling and a little bitof weight training. The cycling does wonders for my motorcycle muscles.

[shoemakj]

I do a lot of bicycling as well, but not so much during the winter. An hour on a stationary bike is only slightly more preferable than being waterboarded. I do the indoor group cycling 2 days a week in the winter. The scenery is usually pretty good as it's mostly women in the class.

2 days a week in the weight room as well. I do a general upper body workout of military press, upright rows, lat pull downs, triceps push down. For lower body, I do abductors & adductors, leg curls, leg extensions, hack squats and calf raises. For core trunk, I just do crunches and back extensions. Triceps are some of the muscles that help hold you up on the bike (pedal & moto), though your core abdominals should be doing most of the work. Your adductors are your "squeeze the tank" muscles that help you keep weight off the bars when braking and help pull you back up on to the seat when hanging off. On the track, your quads and hamstrings get a workout as you shift from one side of the bike to another.

When I get done, I do some lower body stretching to maintain flexibility.

[foobeemer]

You guys are gonna make me go set up my bench. It's in pieces ever since we moved here last January. I used to bike alot but ever since getting my S in '04 I've hardly ridden at all. Bad news. On a good note the doctor said my pressure is high but he didn't want to med me yet....instead I've gone onto a 1000-1500 mg sodium diet per day and have shed 30 lbs in the process. You know how hard it is to keep your salt intake that low? When you start reading labels it's astounding how much salt is in stuff. Flatty--you mentioned your pressure is up there...did you try a low salt diet?

[Flatbutt1]

low salt,low fat,low sugar,wayyyy high *******.

[foobeemer]

Originally Posted by Flatbutt1

low salt,low fat,low sugar,wayyyy high *******.

Ur my HERO FB

[kocook]

Winter prep: I turn on the heated grips.

[ckcarr]

What is this winter you speak of?