i hate being on those things, and only when i am desperate will i pull my rollers out. until then, i will be riding outside.
as long as you have enough clothes (and this is an important investment in winter riding, and well worth it); you are able to ride all year. that also being said, pick up some nice lights and ride at night.
riding at night is an entirely new experience. depending on your route, it's completely black & silent. you are able to get into a whole other zone riding at night. recently on a few rides home from the shop, i've missed a few turns because i was in a completely different mind set.
another great thing, if you're up for the challenge, is riding your favorite mtn bike trail at night.
riding at night will bring a whole new dimension to your ride; either commute/road, or trail.
some advice: just remember to invest in a good light system, both front and rear. ideally for the front, a light on your handle bar and one on your helmet. the one on your bar will tell you where you are, and on your helmet tells you where you are going. it is always better to have more than less, especially if you are commuting. once i was told i looked like a christmas tree. i had three on my helmet, one on my bag, one on my seatpost, and one wrapped around my rear hub. didn't care. when commuting, safety first.
but don't let the lack of light stop you from riding. get out in the dark, and explore.
amitabha...
