Getting back into biking shape

For people that enjoy cycling as much as I do, Montreal winters can put a damper on one of our favorite outdoor activities. Unless you don't mind braving the sub freezing cold, snow, ice and slush, along with the salt and mud splashing all over your riding clothes, bike chain, brakes, etc., you'll probably opt for some sort of indoor riding, as I do.

While indoor riding can still be a great workout, 45 minutes of hard pedaling in one spot without going anywhere gets very boring, no matter how loud your play your favorite heavy metal albums.
By the time the first few rains and warm fronts clear the streets, I'm more than ready to hop back on my bike and and hit my favorite runs.

As my indoor bike is a recumbent model, the muscle groups worked are slightly different than on my mountain bike. This leads to the first few bike rides of the season sort of "tune up" cycling, and progress towards what I'd consider "normal" after a few weeks.

This winter season, I went for about 10 weeks between my last bike ride of 2016 and my first ride of 2017. I opted for a flat run for my first ride, and was glad I did so. Was able to sprint and coast at will, without being forced to keep an uphill pace as many of my other rides have.

A few days later, I hit my Mount Royal trail without knowing what the conditions were once I got off the roads, which were pretty much bone dry. My plan was to cut through the Mount Royal cemetery if it was dry enough, then hit the main trail to Chateau Mont Royal if possible. Luckily, the cemetery wasn't in full thaw yet, as it can have very large puddles at certain time of year. It was relatively dry most of the way, as were the main roads on the mountain.

The dirt trails were still covered in a few inches of melting ice. Was able to make it to the Chateau Mont Royal lookout without any issues, but stayed off the steeper sections of the trail I normally ride.

And of course, the mandatory shot of me with the Montreal background.

Decided to take some pics to share some of the midwinter views along the way. Was able to zoom in on some sections of the St Lawrence river, where ice out has begun.

On the ride down, I stopped at some points of interest. The radio tower at the top of mountain is usually my destination once all snow is gone.

Depending on where you are going, you want to make sure that you cut through the right cemetery, otherwise you'll end up with a big detour, especially in winter, when dirt trails are covered in snow and mud. This is the one I avoid (Mount Royal Cemetery).

Turning left towards the Beaver lake parking lot takes me where I need to go. Pass by the mounted police station and stable.

Then I catch the Notre dame des Neiges cemetery road near Beaver lake.

About halfway down through the cemetery, there is a steep hill where I've managed to top 50 KM/h biking down, No such luck today, it was still covered in snow.

I've run into a couple notable graves. I'm sure there are many more, just probably off the main paths that I normally take to hit the mountain trails, which quite frankly, are a lot more pleasing to look at than gravestones.

On the way home, I ride by Parc Jean Brillant, I place where my parents and grandparents would take me to play as a young child some 40 years ago, and where we'd occasionally go outdoor skating in winter. Always a bit nostalgic...

All in all, was happy to be able to hit the trail this early in the season, I don't normally get to bike that run before April during most winters.

I plan on shooting many more biking pics for the blog this season, stay tuned...