4 Ways To Beat The Cycling Blues

I have been talking a bit about the winter doldrums, lack of cycling motivation or seasonal what have you a lot lately - on Sunday's bicycle ride we used my four best methods all at once to beat the blues. I got out with the gang and had a blast exploring new routes and with a new destination in mind. Toue de Sacs 2024 with a stop at Green Valley Brewing.
#cycling #gravelbikes
wandrer.earth/
Swag:
www.fitzwaterc...
My Bags
Swift Industries Affiliate link:
alnk.to/biqzedP
My Bike Lights of Choice:
10% OFF Coupon code: TIM4
Olightstore: www.olightstor...
Thermowave Wool:
tinyurl.com/2h7...
Deal on Magic Shine Lights:
magicshine.com...
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @timfitzwater
Strava of the Ride:
/ strava
Cycling Instagram:
/ fitzwatercycles
Buy prints:
fineartamerica...
Blog:
zippercityphoto...
Professional portfolio:
fitzwater-photo...
Discord Server:
/ discord
Music by: TrackTribe from YT Creator Music
Support the channel!
www.paypal.com...

[@whitecompany18]

Kids at the pub is very British😆 most of our pub beer gardens have kids play area's, but a good country pub will happily be full of everyone from dog walkers and their dogs, cyclists, bikers, car clubs, families having lunch with nan, nans knitting club.. The whole shebang! All getting rotten together ❤😂

[@TimFitzwater]

If there is more of a restaurant vibe I don’t mind it as much - especially if the parent are doing the parenting. I guess I’m just glad our parents took us to do more kid oriented things.

[@rockeastwood]

Putting my eyes on as much of this earth as possible, be it on foot while hiking at places I can’t ride or reach- or ride the bike to cover more ground is my main goal. Anywhere new is a happy day. I like reason #1 best.

[@TimFitzwater]

100% Cheers!

[@justincapek1132]

What a great cycling community you guys have, Tim. End goal of beer should get most of America off the couch and on a bike. The country needs your VLOGS bro!

[@TimFitzwater]

Thanks so much! 🍻

[@Mantis858585]

I started playing with wandrer a few weeks ago. I am definitely taking lots of new routes. Thanks Tim for talking about it.

[@TimFitzwater]

It’s a lot of fun!! Cheers!

[@BodieOutdoors]

I like how Wanderer Earth lets me download an untravled roads color overlay to put on my GPS navigation. Stashunters is another map that syncs with Strava as well.

[@skulluxe1]

Brewpubs are the new daycare around here… I wouldn’t mind but it seems the kids wander around and bug staff or pop up under your table or just run around screaming while their parents basically disown any knowledge of them and get drunk with their friends

[@TimFitzwater]

Yeah - obviously a mix of some responsible people and some not so much. Really glad this isn’t how my parents made us spend our weekend.

[@billyblaze700x9]

You said Party Pace. Love it. Shout out to Russ!

[@TimFitzwater]

Hell yeah - definitely got that term from Russ! Rumor has it they just said that on GCN. Pathless Pedaled is mainstream!!!!

[@garyseckel295]

Enjoyed that riding video. Tim, FWIW, research those jet aircraft "con trails." Those con trails are intentional weather management, plus other negatives. KZbin, "Off Grid with Doug and Stacy." is one starting reference.

[@TimFitzwater]

Thanks! There have been attempts to seed clouds - it isn't hidden or a conspiracy theory. But the idea that all trails contain chemicals outside of what jet engines produce simply isn't true.

[@garyseckel295]

Totally agree, but one day recently, I counted 16 jet trails AND I could not count all the others there were also up there. Certified aircraft mechanic here, now retired. Used to travel to AFBs to write technical manuals for GE. Been around both jet aircraft fighters and bombers. @@TimFitzwater

[@mstark77]

I like Wandrer a lot. Started using it when I was struggling deciding where to ride that wasn’t the same thing. I also ride when I travel now to capture new roads when. :) They also capture adventures on foot, which can be fun, too.

[@TimFitzwater]

Yeah - it’s fun to see it locally but also somewhere new. Especially cool to have those long rides or tours on the map.

[@goodobservers]

Awesome. I don't think you said this specifically, but riding the same route in reverse makes it fresh. Agree on riding neighborhoods and nice city roads just to explore and do new things. Great video.

[@TimFitzwater]

Thanks! That is a good point - we do that too. It actually how I did my solo century last year to mix it up.

[@alexanderlawson1649]

Best day in West Scotland this year, blue sky day, even stopped to buy a coffee and a sandwich. About 8+C , did 55 miles, thats a big day for me in February. I like you're stuff Tim its just good.

[@TimFitzwater]

Awesome! (And thanks)

[@rogerhart612]

Awesome video. Side note , in Ireland Scotland and England family's at pubs are common.

[@TimFitzwater]

I guess it just depends on how much of a restaurant vibe places have. I’m glad this isn’t how my parents had us spend our weekends though.

[@Stella87860]

such an appropriate topic for midwest riders. i'm is southeast michigan west of detroit.....grey, windy, cold, crappy, need a lift. this urban sort of tour-de-shitty-street surfaces is so apprapo and a great idea. gunna do it tomorrow, when allegedly, 65 degrees shows up!! good stuff, appreciate the boost.

[@TimFitzwater]

Heck yeah! Cheers!

[@williamlebron9873]

AWESOME video as always. GREAT seeing the band back together. 😁 Seeing new things on adventures ride with friends is always a BLAST. Bounce when you find 🐐🐏 to see & pet.

[@TimFitzwater]

Thanks! Yeah - so awesome to be out there doing fun(ny) stuff with this gang!

[@vaquerosupreme3189]

More than riding to stay in shape, I try to stay in shape to keep riding. Been doing kettlebell exercises. Pretty good way to keep those muscles toned.

[@TimFitzwater]

Heck yeah. 100%

[@kervilou5905]

very good video !!!!!!!!! nice country (cold) and people !!!!!!!

[@TimFitzwater]

Cheers - thanks!

[@JPBVideo]

I reward myself with a piping hot cup of coffee and an egg white & cheddar baguette at the local bakery after my winter rides. I find hot food and drink more motivating in the winter than the warm months. Super satisfying on a 35 F day.

[@TimFitzwater]

Heck yeah! 🥐☕️

[@TimFitzwater]

If it is real baked goods I will pay whatever they ask!

[@TimFitzwater]

If it is real baked goods I will pay whatever they ask!

[@ColbyRidesBikes]

We bring our kiddo to breweries pretty regularly, especially if it's mid-ride. 90% of our non-commute rides we have a kiddo in tow. Most have root beer, so he's good to go.

[@TimFitzwater]

They have seemed packed with kids lately. You are having a day out on the bike. That seems different to me. These people are sitting around with the kids - my parents took us to the park - you have already had them outside which matters.

[@MLRomo]

I too work a bit of an unconventional schedule so on my days off during the week I definitely keep an eye on the weather and if its fair I will do all my errands around my cycling. In the Midwest as you know the sweet spot is between 1 and 3 pm. I have me it a priority in my life and the results in my mood and health have been amazing! Cheers brotha!

[@TimFitzwater]

100%. Love it. I have a couple other friends like this and we do pull off linking up at the odd midday time. Cheers!

[@losvideosdevito]

Saludos desde Argentina!

[@TimFitzwater]

👋

[@conniehoyle2669]

Great attitude

[@CrabgrassFarmer]

Hey Tim, love your channel. I'll be a first timer at the Road Apple Roubaix. Hope to see you.

[@TimFitzwater]

Heck yeah! Say "what's up" if we get the chance out on the road or at the after-party.

[@cassidyarrington4572]

Hell yea Tim great video! Nwga area here if you were to ever end up down south lol🤙🏻

[@TimFitzwater]

Thanks!

[@bicycledad7660]

Thanks for another wonderful video

[@TimFitzwater]

😎

[@biosfearmag]

I've heard that all of the cool kids are using Ride With GPS.

[@TimFitzwater]

Maybe they are - I pay for Strava. Both seem good though.

[@christopherwebb3517]

73°F here! Getting a little Spring teaser.

[@TimFitzwater]

Today was rad - 60 felt amazing - I met a friend and rode 20 miles and got buzzed in the sun.🌞

[@fordbailey8173]

I’m with you on this - find ways to have fun riding. Especially exploring with friends 👍🏽

[@TimFitzwater]

It is the best!

[@TheSlowCyclist330]

Love your videos would luv to ride with you guys sometime

[@TimFitzwater]

Thanks! We do have some events planned - check out the discord - we have a meet up page and a separate one for a meet up in late March. discord.gg/cDSDG3MV

[@dominiceubanks6586]

Wanderer definitely gets me out more. Trying to complete 75% of Pittsburgh before the end of the year!

[@TimFitzwater]

Nice!

[@DIY-DaddyO]

That wanderer app looks fun. I'd like to hit more pubs but in the UK they keep closing down, sad times 😢

[@TimFitzwater]

Yeah - check it out - there is a free version. That sucks to hear. I guess breweries are our versions of pubs now. But classic pubs can’t be beat.

[@DAMN55117]

I am with you. Adjusting my work day to match the best ride weather is awesome. the sun is a big factor.

[@TimFitzwater]

100%

[@mtnbkrboy7728]

I think you ( used ) the word “BUT“ two hundred times? Give or take a few. But darn good entertainment

[@TimFitzwater]

Oh man - if you could hear the original audio with all of the "you know" "um" "as I said" "anways" even breaths....I cut 5 minutes out. I guess the "buts" slipped by!🤷🏻‍♂️

[@racerx8410712]

Seems like you all have a very cool group and vibe. I mentioned burnout in the last stream and that has a lot to do with "overriding" (being bored with my terrain) but now that I watch this it also has to do with the energy and vibe of the cycling community here. There's a lot of drama, clickiness and enthusiasm really waxes and wanes. I'm sure your community has it's troubles too but I think there is strength in numbers, and I think you have a bigger population. Maybe I need to move (there)?!

[@TimFitzwater]

I’ve heard other people mention that vibe in different cities - glad I haven’t had that issue. When I got into I was on my old MTB, Ben was on a fixie, we had a guy on a vintage Peugeot and a roadie dude - so I never thought about style or types.

[@soul3n]

Where did you get the Send It Felix the Cat Sticker?

[@TimFitzwater]

Erin gave that to me - it came with a cap she ordered - I’ll have to ask her.

[@felicetanka]

On steep hills i walk up the bike. No other contraption are like it.

[@TimFitzwater]

That works. I've put real easy gears on most my bikes now so I don't have to

[@TheSaguache]

Here's a Q: How do you deal with winter salt on your steel bikes? I'm new to Vermont and OMG they lay it down. I've been getting cabin fever because I'm worried my real bikes will melt.

[@TimFitzwater]

Just rinse it off. Keep stuff lubed.

[@Traildude193]

I ride in any weather conditions.

[@TimFitzwater]

So do I. I way prefer warm and sun.

[@DmitryKoupriyanov]

why didn't you guys stop and pet the deer 😂

[@TimFitzwater]

or the barking german shepard?!

[@TheJoePavlik]

I find it annoying when people bring their kids to a bar too.

[@TimFitzwater]

You know - when my siblings' kids were young on very special occasions we might bring them out and have them endure the adults cutting lose. But a random Sunday in February - take your kids to the park or something. My parent never took me to a drinking establishment.

[@gator3-234]

Hey Tim. I know you ride the C&O and do a lot of long distance riding. I'm finishing my 90s gravel conversion and want to know if you prefer foam or rubber drop bar tape. This is primarily going to be used on the C&O. Thanks. 🚵‍♂️

[@TimFitzwater]

When I did the C&O that bike had padded leather tape which I love. I've only used a foam style tape once and I didn't like it. Its so hard to ever clean and I don't feel it lasts as long.

[@gator3-234]

@@TimFitzwater thanks bud. Ride on!