How Pleasant Is it to Ride a Bike in the Winter?
Biking is an amazing sport, and I truly enjoy it. Yes, it can be expensive if you decide to go with a top of the line bike, and full riding gear, but you don't have to go overboard with it at the beginning.
Still, you have to keep the standard at the bare minimum. What do I mean? If you will ride a mountain bike, you may be luckier to find a cheaper bike than what you will pay for a good road bike.
I'm not a big on buying used bikes, but you may strike a better deal getting a used bike for approximately $500, then to get a brand new one. My first serious mountain bike was Giant Yukon ($500), and it served me great. If you decide to purchase a cyclo-cross (cyclocross), or a road bike, then the entry price will be higher. Good source is the eBay, since I paid around $800 for the Motobecane cyclocross. Great bike, with great components, and when you check prices around, it is very affordable.
The reason why I have two bikes is that sometimes I feel in the mood for a road ride, while other times, for a mountain trail. Both have their own charm, and beauty. An additional reason for having two bikes, is that during Winter, I put cyclocross on a trainer and use great Carmichael training videos to exercise.
Despite the cold weather, and even the snow, we have an Winter enduro race at the end of November, plus a group weekend rides throughout the whole season, weather permitted. There are couple things you have to be careful about when you ride during the Winter. You have to have a good pair of full finger gloves. Those gloves need to allow easy movement for your fingers, so you can use the breaks properly (more rear than front). Next thing you should get is Winter cycling shoe covers, and the last important thing are tires. You will need good tires, or studded tires.
Is it fun to ride in Winter? It's major fun, but it's also hard! Not everyone will appreciate it, but if you are a big mountain bike enthusiast you may try once and fall in love with it.
Still, you have to keep the standard at the bare minimum. What do I mean? If you will ride a mountain bike, you may be luckier to find a cheaper bike than what you will pay for a good road bike.
I'm not a big on buying used bikes, but you may strike a better deal getting a used bike for approximately $500, then to get a brand new one. My first serious mountain bike was Giant Yukon ($500), and it served me great. If you decide to purchase a cyclo-cross (cyclocross), or a road bike, then the entry price will be higher. Good source is the eBay, since I paid around $800 for the Motobecane cyclocross. Great bike, with great components, and when you check prices around, it is very affordable.
The reason why I have two bikes is that sometimes I feel in the mood for a road ride, while other times, for a mountain trail. Both have their own charm, and beauty. An additional reason for having two bikes, is that during Winter, I put cyclocross on a trainer and use great Carmichael training videos to exercise.
Despite the cold weather, and even the snow, we have an Winter enduro race at the end of November, plus a group weekend rides throughout the whole season, weather permitted. There are couple things you have to be careful about when you ride during the Winter. You have to have a good pair of full finger gloves. Those gloves need to allow easy movement for your fingers, so you can use the breaks properly (more rear than front). Next thing you should get is Winter cycling shoe covers, and the last important thing are tires. You will need good tires, or studded tires.
Is it fun to ride in Winter? It's major fun, but it's also hard! Not everyone will appreciate it, but if you are a big mountain bike enthusiast you may try once and fall in love with it.
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