Swim, Bike, Brunch?

Our first TA poll closed yesterday. We asked "Are you still riding outside?" and you said;

The most popular single answer was "Been on the trainer since November"; 34% of respondents (8 of 23, or in a stunning piece of unwarranted extrapolation, about 130 TNS members) have been. Makes sense. The conditions aren't exactly suited to monster rides any more and if you've got one eye towards an Ironman in the near future, then the trainer (and a hefty supply of DVD box-sets) is probably the way to go.

The majority of you, as of mid-December, were still riding outside. Chapeau (and a thick wind- and waterproof chapeau at that)! Some 13% were "riding" and given that an option was "Hell Yes" your enthusiasm sounds muted and I sincerely hope you are still enjoying your time outside. The swinging endorsement that was "Hell Yes" accounted for 30% of the votes. I'm going to guess that the "Hell Yes" crowd are doing something different; mountain-bikes, 'cross, stunt-recumbents or something.

Finally, 21% responded "Commute". Don't knock the commute. Look past the panniers, hipster-cysts and the fluorescent tabard for a second. Back in the day whenever a club cyclist had an outstanding or breakout season, we didn't say "drugs" we said "(s)he must be doing a commute". A bike-commute is one of the best ways to improve your form without even trying to. Plus, it gets you on two wheels in weather you wouldn't put the proverbial dog out in (gaining precious Hardman Flandrian points). Finally, when you eventually get out again on a bike without bags, rack, fenders, lights, steel and touring geometry, you'll go zooming off into the sunset! Seriously!


So here's another poll for you (over on the right bar). At this time of year our time gets even more squeezed. When push comes to shove, which sport do you tend to stop doing first; swim, bike or run?

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Photo courtesy of Ian McGrath, graph courtesy of evidently I have way too much time and need to get a life!