Bike in the rain, versus a crowded train.

[Phil4000]

You don't realize just how much commuting in crowded trains and buses affects your mental health long term, until you stop doing it. Especially in autumn/winter.
I bought my bike with the intention of using it for my 20K (10K each way) commute in dry weather only.

Now there is no way I'll get on the crowded, stinky train with no seats, people coughing and someone's armpit in my face. Dealing with slight motion sickness, having to walk through crowds and getting to work feeling like I need rest before I start work. Buses in particular with that internal condensation... ugh. Just can't go back to it.

I'd much rather cycle through the rain and wind, breathe fresh air and get to my destination feeling refreshed as opposed to travel weary. It's also decreasing the likelihood of catching something, which results in sick days.

And then the savings; public transport is not cheap especially with trains.
I said to a friend recently, biking can be as fun as skiing. Instead of a commute, I look forward to getting the speed up on the downhills, timing myself on the overall journey. Improving technique.

That or someone's armpit on a greasy bus? No contest.

 

[MichaelW2]

I did that in London , switched from 50 min underground commute to 50 min bike commute across marshes and canals.
As winter creeps in, there is really no cutoff day for ending the "bike season". A blustery storm of a week or 2 of ice can be skipped for safety.
The economics, esp over 5 years are worth working out.
You need to spend on good enough clothing, footwear, and spend to get the right bike setup for winter.

 

[Phil4000]

I did that in London , switched from 50 min underground commute to 50 min bike commute across marshes and canals.
As winter creeps in, there is really no cutoff day for ending the "bike season". A blustery storm of a week or 2 of ice can be skipped for safety.
The economics, esp over 5 years are worth working out.
You need to spend on good enough clothing, footwear, and spend to get the right bike setup for winter.

True. Maintenance also.

 

[fossyant]

I'll generally even take the bike over a nice comfy vehicle, mainly due to unpredictable travel. I'll take the train occasionally, only if there maybe beer after work (usually happens once a year). Car - I'll now get it out on icy days - despite spiked tyres, I came off on some really bad black ice on a main road and fractured my pelvis and hip socket (nearly two years ago). Frosty and dry isn't an issue on 'new' ice tyres. A few days off is better than months off.

 

[Brandane]

I guess it all depends on where you live and work, what job you do, how long your shifts are, what your start/finish times are, what equipment you need to carry for work, do you work in the same place all the time, and a thousand other factors. It probably works for those who live in the temperate flatness of the south east, who work 9-5 Mon/Fri in an office with showers and changing facilities, and only live 20k from work. But - cycle commuting is NOT for me!

 

[Ming the Merciless]

You need to spend on good enough clothing, footwear, and spend to get the right bike setup for winter.

When I recommenced cycle commuting decades back. I gave myself three months. If I was still cycle commuting in three months; then I would do some of the spend you mention. My cycle commute restarted on a February day many winters back, just with the bike and clothing I owned at the time 😂

 

[Phil4000]

I'll generally even take the bike over a nice comfy vehicle, mainly due to unpredictable travel. I'll take the train occasionally, only if there maybe beer after work (usually happens once a year). Car - I'll now get it out on icy days - despite spiked tyres, I came off on some really bad black ice on a main road and fractured my pelvis and hip socket (nearly two years ago). Frosty and dry isn't an issue on 'new' ice tyres. A few days off is better than months off.

Hope those injuries are better now. Best to avoid the black ice! Yes, car or public transport if there is a potential risk to safety.

I intend to take a gravel bike out onto the Surrey Hills this winter. Preferably in snow, freezing conditions. Love winter sports, that's the closest we'll get in the SE!

 

[Phil4000]

When I recommenced cycle commuting decades back. I gave myself three months. If I was still cycle commuting in three months; then I would do some of the spend you mention. My cycle commute restarted on a February day many winters back, just with the bike and clothing I owned at the time 😂

I actually haven't got the clothing yet, next on the list. Been fine with fleece and tracksuit so far, but will check good waterproofs.

 

[ColinJ]

... despite spiked tyres, I came off on some really bad black ice on a main road and fractured my pelvis and hip socket (nearly two years ago).

I remember you doing that but didn't realise that you were on studded tyres - yikes! I thought that they gave complete protection, but obviously not. I hope that those injuries healed okay?

I have had 4 heavy falls due to ice over the years. I was lucky every time, getting away with just bruises but I am not going to risk it happening again. If there is a risk of ice, any riding will be done safely on the smart trainer.

 

[ianrauk]

It's a no brainer.

 

[fossyant]

I remember you doing that but didn't realise that you were on studded tyres - yikes! I thought that they gave complete protection, but obviously not. I hope that those injuries healed okay?

I was on Snow Studs, so less studs (about 120), but both wheels let go at the same time, it was slick, but I suspect because they were shoulder spikes, and not at 30 PSI the tyre went before the studs could grip - the whole bike just 'vanished' from below me. I have new Marathon Winter Plus on the spare commuting wheels, and they have studs in the middle and shoulder - over 200-240 studs so shouldn't wash out. Nothing is guaranteed though.

The conditions were bad - we'd had a freak snow shower that night, only an inch or so, but it was a freeze thaw freeze - very weird locally, very little snow, but the airport, just 8 miles away had a huge dump of snow. The lesson is, don't ride if it's wet and icy. The hospital was full of various slips and broken bones.

Hip is mechanically OK, no issue on bike, but aches constantly. OK walking unless I need to stop and start, or it 'twists' like walking over sand and pebbles - really aches then. I will need total replacement at some point - that was burned into my mind by the consultants. Wasn't an if, but a when.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I actually haven't got the clothing yet

That was my point. I did not have cycle specific kit. Though I did have outdoor kit from mountaineering and used that initially with some old tracksuit bottoms I had.

 

[cyberknight]

I guess it all depends on where you live and work, what job you do, how long your shifts are, what your start/finish times are, what equipment you need to carry for work, do you work in the same place all the time, and a thousand other factors. It probably works for those who live in the temperate flatness of the south east, who work 9-5 Mon/Fri in an office with showers and changing facilities, and only live 20k from work. But - cycle commuting is NOT for me!

i work shifts so this week i clock on at 5 am and clock off around 3 pm , next week is lates so its 2.30 pm till around 12.20 am and the workpklace is so big it has it own postcode but there are no public transport links even if they ran at times i could use .
I try to cycle commute but it means being out the house around 12 hours a day by the time you add up the commute of 35-40 mins for 10 miles each way , getting changed etc . If the the weather is really dire like last week i will use the car as its no fun being cold , wet and blown about with no respite and no options to jump on a bus if you have an issue .
Yesterday i got about 3 miles from work and got caught in a heavy downpour so stopped in a bus stop to get my coat on before continuing but it was fun into a biting cross/ headwind that blew me about and meant my kit was still damp for the ride home .

 

[Brandane]

i work shifts so this week i clock on at 5 am and clock off around 3 pm , next week is lates so its 2.30 pm till around 12.20 am and the workpklace is so big it has it own postcode but there are no public transport links even if they ran at times i could use .
I try to cycle commute but it means being out the house around 12 hours a day by the time you add up the commute of 35-40 mins for 10 miles each way , getting changed etc . If the the weather is really dire like last week i will use the car as its no fun being cold , wet and blown about with no respite and no options to jump on a bus if you have an issue .
Yesterday i got about 3 miles from work and got caught in a heavy downpour so stopped in a bus stop to get my coat on before continuing but it was fun into a biting cross/ headwind that blew me about and meant my kit was still damp for the ride home .

Chapeau, Sir! But it wouldn't be me, I'm afraid.

 

[T4tomo]

Regarding rain....
I used to cycle train cycle commute into London, all year round. We had secure parking, showers, changing rooms and clothes storage so dead easy.
The actual number of times I actually got wet whilst cycling was surprisingly few and an absolute soaking was as rare as hens teeth.

Clearly Manchester would be a different proposition