Bad weather commuting?

[yashicamat]

As it's getting to "that time of year" again, just curious as to how many of us pick up the car keys if the weather turns sour. Obviously the commute will have an impact as some will take longer by car, others will take much less (I'm about 3 minutes slower by bike over the tiny 5 mile commute).

I tend to go by car if the weather is really rubbish though as I find it too much hassle to have to get changed etc. at work (5 miles is short enough in good weather for me to cycle in my work clothes and not get overheated enough to warrant a shower).

Rob

 

[J4CKO]

Only when its icy, had a few moments last year, like an out of control Land Rover coming round a corner understeering as the pillock driving it hand anticipated that the side roads wouldnt be gritted.

 

[ianrauk]

nope, i will cycle what ever the weather brings. I have only not been able to commute (32 miles round trip) 2 days this year, back in February with the heavy snow.

And it looks like it will be rain again tomorrow.. oh well... never mind..

 

[swee'pea99]

Anything but ice/hard-packed snow on the road.

 

[gaz]

as above.

 

[garrilla]

me too.

 

[al78]

I will cycle in all but the worst conditions. If it is really heavy rain when I am about to leave home and I am feeling generally tired then I will take the car.

I will avoid cycling if there are severe gales forecast, as I believe trying to cycle in severe crosswinds is borderline stupid.

 

[Tynan]

proper ice on the main routes, happy to push the 100 yards down my side road

I skipped three/four days last winter for ice, that said I did have a nasty skating front wheel moment on one of the days I did ride, but everything else is a runner

 

[Arthur]

I'll ride through fresh snow (that's the only time my old mountain bike comes out of the shed) but I draw the line when it gets packed hard and icy. I suppose severe gales might also make me think twice, but somehow they always seem to happen on my days off.

 

[hackbike 666]

What are car keys?

Im tempted though next time it snows,to walk or get there by hook or by crook.

I did not enjoy that commute last time it snowed at all.

 

[sunnyjim]

I commute in all weathers - nothing stops me on two three wheels

Nothing like a 3 wheel drift on ice on a ICE Trice on a nice frosty morning..

 

[jay clock]

I don;t commute as I work from home, and looking outside today I am happy! But when I did, on the rare occasions I "gave in" due to bad weather I was invariably hacked off and wished I gadn't taken the bus or train

 

[thomas]

I'd say all weathers...Ice and snow is when the MTB comes out

Doesn't look like I'll need to commute over Christmas (unless anyone wants to offer me some type of IT/web related job around Surrey!!!) so probably won't have to deal with the weather if it's too bad.

 

[661-Pete]

I walked to work (about 35-40 minutes as against the 12 minutes by bike) for a few days earlier this year - back in February when there was a fair amount of snow on the roads. It was an interesting change of perspective, especially since I discovered a different route to walk along, across fields (not suitable for cycling), which I didn't know even existed (this after over 12 years following the same commute)! It was quite enjoyable and invigorating, feeling the fresh snow crunching beneath my boots.

So that provides my answer: snow and ice usually mean the bike stays at home.

 

[gbb]

All weathers for me...i just use the hybrid (reluctantly) if its particually icy or if there's snow on the roads... a bit more rubber in contact with the road being the logic.