Anyone been brave enough to cycle in this cold snap

[Edwardoka]

Annoyingly my turf rival does not appear to be fazed by the snow, since they were still out at 9:30pm tonight taking every zone I captured. and going at a fair lick too, by my calculation they averaged 7mph between zones.

 

[slowmotion]

I don't mind cold weather too much. I've got lots of clothes to keep me warm. Certainly my feet and hands get cold but that isn't really morale-sapping. It's ice that stops me cycling when it gets cold. The main roads in London tend to get gritted and ice doesn't form, but as soon as you turn off onto quieter streets, it can get a bit dicey, especially on thin road bike tyres. I came off yesterday when it was barely freezing and it happened in the blink of an eye. No harm done, just a grazed knee, but it makes me mighty apprehensive, and that's no fun. I'm grounding myself for the moment.

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

It's ice that stops me cycling when it gets cold. The main roads in London tend to get gritted and ice doesn't form, but as soon as you turn off onto quieter streets, it can get a bit dicey, especially on thin road bike tyres.

That's the reason why I tend to avoid riding in freezing conditions. Main roads that get gritted aren't a problem, apart from the fact you and the bike will get covered in gritty, salty crap - so don't wear anything or ride anything you care too much about! Fresh snow is not a problem on tyres with some tread, so long as you take it easy. The problem is in places like London, it soon gets compacted even in the back streets and on cycle paths, then it becomes really treacherous, especially the next morning after temps have dropped overnight. Unless you live on a main road and your destination is on a main road, and you can use main roads for the whole route, then you inevitably have to ride some dodgy sections that haven't been gritted, and may conceal black ice or be covered with compacted snow and ice. That's when it gets dangerous, and I leave the bike and either walk or drive.

 

[I like Skol]

Just the usual 10 mile each way commuting in the dark (although the days are noticeably getting longer now). Should be about -3° in the morning and Thu morning is forecast to be even colder.

 

[Blue Hills]

Not me. Learned my lesson a couple of years ago when I lost it on black ice. Now it's got to be 4° and above for me to venture out.

I'd go out in anything above freezing if there hasn't been a deep freeze with moisture overnight but then you are in Kent - gets more extreme weather than some folk might think - and ice can linger well into the day. I agree totally that ice has to be respected.

I've not been out - won't until the weekend thaw - I live at the top of a dead-end steep hill - don't fancy sliding off down it.

 

[Mo1959]

Given that it looks like this outside and is currently minus 8, I think I’ll pass on cycling. Lol.

 

[steveindenmark]

I would like to be riding but I am recovering from my accident (-10, snow, ice and blizzards) Honestly, I really would like to be riding in this.

 

[Mark pallister]

Anything below 5c is turbo weather for me
I will get a much better work out ,no worries about coming off and once I’ve chased the polar bears out the garage it’s just warm enough

 

[Adam4868]

No pleasure cycling as works getting in the way.But cycling to work 8 miles each way.Missed a couple of days (four/five) due to ice.Still in shorts aswell

 

[I like Skol]

Just got home 10 minutes ago. Lovely....

 

[Drago]

Debating another ride today. It seems icy rather than snow now, with a bitmof a thaw yesterday, a re freeze overnight, and another light dusting atop. I'll check out the surface while walking Mini D to school and ,ake a judgement on whether its worth the risk. However, the mere cold itself - currently -4°C - won't stop me.

 

[shnjmsn]

It's not the cold, I can dress up like an eskimo. The fingers and toes still go though, no matter what I'm wearing ! I just don't do ice and slippery roads. I'm working from home so don't have to commute. I'll wait until the ice goes and the risk of falling off is less......... I could do without a few months of Spring and Summer off the bike because I've broken myself, all for the sake of a couple more days. I'll go for a walk instead............

 

[Drago]

Ah, I have the Breeze Blockers on my daily. All the style of Bernard Manning in a shell suit, but no frozen digits.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Just back from my pre-work ride.

MTB with ice spike tyres; a tiny smattering of snow and very cold indeed.

Wonderful clear weather and a close encounter with a buzzard.

 

[Anderoo]

I am finally getting my moneys worth out of that smart trainer I purchased a year ago. That came with the "What a waste of money, you will never use it" I am looking forward to getting back outside though.