[dc]P[/dc]art of the problem with the winter/off season is that most cyclists suffer from withdrawal. There's a dearth of riding outside in the fresh air, sunshine is distinctly lacking, our well earned tan lines are fading, people are missing their mid-ride social stops with their buddies and miles are generally of the long, steady distance and are performed on a trainer. While some take to the sofa to put on their winter weight (much like a hibernating bear,) some take to online forums to discuss the latest news and gadgetry and some hit the slopes or the gym to get their endorphin fix, you CAN spend time with your bike and not hate it. This time spent can be of the intimate type (get your mind out of the gutter) that will let you appreciate your bike more when the time comes to climb back on and shed those accumulated winter pounds.
Mechanical Intimacy
Nothing really puts you in touch with an object quite like getting intimately acquainted with it (I said get your mind out of the gutter.) Automotive types have been touting it for years: the more time you spend fixing, working on or otherwise modifying your vehicle, the more in touch you are with it. By getting your hands dirty you begin to build a rapport with the machine, understanding what each part does and knowing what everything looks, feels and sounds like as it does its job properly. Not only that, doing your own work not only gives you an appreciation of what your bike does, it ignites some burning desire to get on and ride; to make the most of the work you've put into your faithful mount.
That being said, what can you do during the cold, short, sunless winter days that will make you want to ride your bike more? What will make you really want to pile on the miles come Spring? Maybe a few refreshments are in order.
Fresh Bar tape
One of the first things you see when you look at your bike are the handlebars. After the past year of riding and racing, they are probably tightly bound by a tired wrap of bar tape. For only a few bucks, you can completely refresh the front end of your bike, helping to transform it from a well used street machine to a gorgeous garage queen. Changing colors may spark your desire to get out and show off your bike's new duds. Changing material (from vinyl-like to cork, for example) can completely change the feeling of the bars as you grip them. Thicker tape may encourage you to go out and ride those rough roads that previously made your hands ache. Thinner tape may make your desire to ride in the drops greater by offering a more sure feeling grip. Maybe it's nothing quantifiable; you just want something different, and that's what it takes to motivate you.
New Cables and Housing
A few thousand miles of riding, racing, rain, grit, sweat and dirt can turn even the most well cared for shifting into something of a monster. Think “trying to pull a mop through a puddle of rubber cement” and you're pretty close to what your shifting feels like after a full season on the road. Even the best cables and housing are wear items, designed to be replaced once a year (or maybe more often depending on how much you ride.)
Consider replacing your generic cables and housing with something a little more resistant to corrosion, like Gore's sealed or partially sealed systems. You can also enlist the help of a really good mechanic if you have trouble with cable and housing replacement. Perhaps more than any other refresher, this one will change the way your bike feels, often making shifts smooth, light and crisp instead of stiff, slow and clunky. But remember that shifting is only as good as the drivetrain that it's running, so maybe you should consider…
Drivetrain Deep Cleaning
How many of you have chains that are black and cassettes that are caked with grime? Shame on you. That “chainring tattoo” on your right calf is just proof that you're neglecting the very parts of your bike that transfer your work into forward motion. Really, that grease mark is just your bike screaming at you to “CLEAN ME!!!!” Lock yourself in the garage and consider spending more than the five minutes you typically do lubing your chain and give your drivetrain a good cleaning (hint: here's a great starting point.)
Degrease, clean, wipe and scrub each link, chainring and cog with an old toothbrush (you did remember to grab it out of the garbage when your wife tossed it, right?) until it sparkles like new. Reassemble it, tune it up and be proud of never having a grease mark on your calf again.
Frame and Parts Cleaning/Polishing
Despite the love you show your bike during the season, it's impossible to get every crevice and every millimeter of your bike clean and spotless. Instead of growing roots on the sofa watching the Packers, consider sequestering yourself in your garage to give your frame and components a well deserved cleaning and polishing. Using something like Bike Lust can keep your frame looking showroom new, your components flashy and beautiful and will help to build up a barrier that will make future wipedowns much quicker and easier. A little disassembly (removing the crankset and wheels, primarily) will allow you to get into all those hard to reach spots. It will also give you the opportunity to inspect the frame, fork, paint and components for any damage. So even if you don't care about looks, do it for the safety of it, and give a cursory thought to the looks while you're there.
After a few hours rejuvenating your bike, you may find your spirit to ride and enjoy your bike rejuvenated as well. Hopefully that's the case and this can motivate you to get off the sofa, put down the Chee-Tos and get intimate with your favorite ride (I won't even say it this time, even though you're expecting it.)
Thoughts? Comments? Don't be unmotivated, post them below and get the discussion rolling.
