Yesterday, I rode outside for the 1st time in 2021.
It was nice to get outside after several months on the indoor trainer. But it was cold. As I get older, the less I enjoy cold weather cycling. I have all the right gear, but it makes little difference. I’m not saying I can’t do it. I can. And did for many years. I just don’t enjoy it the same way any longer. Now that I have invested in a smart trainer, I understand why they are so popular.
Today, I rode inside. I completed 2 FulGaz rides, each about 30 minutes in length, one more difficult than the other. In an hour, I had a good workout. As good, perhaps better, than my 2 hour effort outside yesterday. And, I was warm. There were no cars. No pedestrians. No traffic lights. And, no potholes.
I started a new training block this month. As I mentioned, I like to change things up every month, and set new goals. Throughout March, I plan to ride outside 1-2 times each week, weather permitting. I’ll continue doing the structured workouts on the smart trainer. It’s more effective. But I’ll try to get outside for longer rides each week.
For the past decade, I complete the 1st century ride of the season the first week of April. It is cancelled again this year because of COVID, but I plan to complete a solo 100 km ride just the same. So during the next few weeks, I will tailor my workouts for this effort, including progressively, longer rides outside.
PedalWORKS 
Great work getting out! Iām far less likely to ride in cold or wet conditions these days too, have done my time in the grime.