Commuting In The Snow

[Herzog]

I'm only doing it when the road is really icy/snowy and I'm going a lot slower anyway. My whole body would prefer that to hitting the road, and I'm not talking about putting it down a long way, just to make it not a tiptoe on the road surface. A compromise position.

I think my commute would be a little far to do that (around 35km), but if you're going shorter distances you'll get away with it. And yes, it's much more preferable than eating snow unintentionally!

 

[Crankarm]

I'm only doing it when the road is really icy/snowy and I'm going a lot slower anyway. My whole body would prefer that to hitting the road, and I'm not talking about putting it down a long way, just to make it not a tiptoe on the road surface. A compromise position.

Does summerdays become winterdays?

 

[Crankarm]

I think your right mate, may be the flooded GBW cycle track will freeze over the flooded area and I can cycle across it !!!!!

No chance CCC have been deploying a mini tractor to drive through the flooded sections to break up any ice. The new car park seems to be progressing quickly. They have doubled car parking spaces as drivers earn the GBW money unlike cyclists who are cheapskate free loaders whom they earn no cash from.

 

[summerdays]

Does summerdays become winterdays?

No - I could become Snowdays ... but winter is definitely not my favourite time of year, though I like the occasional day of frost, snow and winter sunshine ... the gloom you can keep! (Mind you I didn't notice the summer last year).

 

[Blurb]

Hi, my regular commuter has 26x1.75's which I think should be stable enough sizewise, but no-one has mentioned tyre pressures. Do you drop a few PSI from regular conditions?
Commuting from Outer to Central London I would expect the main roads will be clearish, morning forecasts is saying light snow, but the afternoon forecast suggests possible heavy snow. Otherwise, it's Tube and Brompton if it all goes Pete Tong!

 

[palinurus]

Do you drop a few PSI from regular conditions?

For snow and possible compacted snow I drop them quite a few psi. I'll be using the 'cross bike tomorrow with mud tyres (with little knobbles on), if it snows I run them pretty soft, probably 30-35 psi like I do for mud.

The Brompton trick is good, I used to sometimes do this but sometimes there'd be trouble with public transport and I'd ride anyhow. Good trick with a Brompton is you can drop the seat low and when descending slippery hills you can stick your feet out as outriggers.

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

At what point is that cyclist 'struggling'?

Pedalling is "struggling" to many

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

My new commute would take in roads where I have first-hand witnessed cars sliding uncontrollably from side roads into the road and into whatever is there at the time.

Answer to the question posed: I will wear my walking boots. And take the route home via the pub for a winter warmer after about 1h15m. A slightly longer route than direct, but rewarding nonetheless...

 

[subaqua]

rode in today through what started as light snow and got progressivly heavier the closer into town I got. Aldgate to London bridge it was faitly heavy. got off the bike at work and looked like a snowman. hope it snows heavy on way home

 

[Hotblack Desiato]

Apart from when it gets icy, my main problem in snow/slush is when it clogs up the chain especially when was using a brommie where it's all a bit too close to the ground.

Vital to clean it all off at journey's end if it could freeze! Also I find the chain rusts and jams if not oiled after slush has been at it. Best/only time to use WD40 on a chain?

 

[cyberknight]

Call me a wimp but on my country lane commute that's not liable to have been gritted along with the fact i am on nights this week i will probably take the car tonight as its getting thicker here and i only have 23 mm slicks .

 

[beanzontoast]

Here is my personal preference for my urban commute in snowy weather -

Bike? No - rather not fall off / get the bike and myself covered in falling snow. I used to bike in snow / falling snow when I was younger. I don't like not being able to see potholes etc though. And I did bike to work once when 'some' snow was forecast and had to push my bike 6 miles through the snow at the end of the day. Once experienced, never to be repeated.
Car? No - the thought of cars potentially sliding about all over the place is enough. Driving is not a pleasure in those conditions and it's uphill all the way home.
Bus? Yes - I trust myself to the bus company to keep running and to the expertise of the bus driver.
Walk? Yes - if the bus doesn't run and if conditions are ok underfoot. I've done it several times and though it's tiring walking in snow and takes longer than normal, it is nice settling to a hot coffee when I get in!

 

[Bodhbh]

I get narked at the media's use of cyclists in 'bad weather' reporting.

Almost every recent 'roads flooded' report had a cyclist 'struggling' through - no mention of waterlogged cars.

Then todays Hull Mail had this beauty: http://www.thisishullandeastriding....rkshire-mild/story-17817284-detail/story.html

At what point is that cyclist 'struggling'?

I suppose it makes a better story than 'cyclist rides though snow with a big s**t eating grin'.

 

[paulw1969]

Call me a wimp but on my country lane commute that's not liable to have been gritted along with the fact i am on nights this week i will probably take the car tonight as its getting thicker here and i only have 23 mm slicks .

nah not a wimp....reckon you made the right choice Cyberknight.........bad enough on the side roads this morning on 40mm semi slick's. Still coming down here in the middle of Nottingham.......going to be fun on the way home. Reeckon it will be the car tomorrow for me as well as everything will be iced over tonight.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Coming down well in Leicester now, will be a proper commute in the snow tonight