Is modern winter cycling clothing less safe?

[mjr]

Has the move to ever-thinner technical fabrics meant that there's less padding when you crash in winter? I mean, I'm riding around on retro roadsters in a fleecy beanie, thick fleece jacket, thick jumper, lined trousers and sometimes thermals underneath, whereas others are in only thermal bibs and thin tops and what is laughingly called a rain cape these days (looks like a thin jacket but I'm sure it's really really high tech). I'm sure it's fine when you're upright, but surely that's got to be less cushioning if you do have a little lie down on the tarmac?

A possible confounding factor may be that I'm cutting a larger Michelin-man-shape hole in the air and I know I'm a few mph slower in winter which probably would reduce the pain of any crash too. I've not crashed yet this winter but I got it a bit sideways on a patch of semi-frozen mud today, diced over ice where another rider (unseen by me) broke their hip at an event last weekend and started thinking after reading @Rooster1's post earlier today.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

So much safer to crash in the summer months when the ground is softer.

 

[mjr]

So much safer to crash in the summer months when the ground is softer.

Nah, the sand squidges more in winter and the peat is bouncy whenever. Sadly the tarmac is still blooming hard - we really need that rubber playground surface but the cars would wear it out too quickly. Bloody motorists, spoiling it for people cycling again

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Nah, the sand squidges more in winter and the peat is bouncy whenever. Sadly the tarmac is still blooming hard - we really need that rubber playground surface but the cars would wear it out too quickly. Bloody motorists, spoiling it for people cycling again

Slidier in winter, lycra glides across ice

 

[mjr]

Slidier in winter, lycra glides across ice

I'll accept a bit more friction and possible road rash in exchange for more padding if I fall

 

[summerdays]

So much safer to crash in the summer months when the ground is softer.

Well warmer rather than softer (in high summer remember it's baked hard)

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I've often thought the same @mjr looking at the skinny road cyclists with just tiny lycra on, they must surely have very little cushioning in case of a fall ... unlike me

 

[mjr]

I've often thought the same @mjr looking at the skinny road cyclists with just tiny lycra on, they must surely have very little cushioning in case of a fall ... unlike me

Eat Cake! It's for your own safety!

 

[fossyant]

Cars are just as hard winter or summer. I can't say I crash more in winter.

 

[Dogtrousers]

This is the thin end of the compulsion wedge. Before you know it @mjr will be heading up a citizens militia enforcing the compulsory long johns law.

 

[mjr]

This is the thin end of the compulsion wedge. Before you know it @mjr will be heading up a citizens militia enforcing the compulsory long johns law.

I was fancying forming a Kuchenquotenverstärken Sturmabteilung, actually. I'd rather stay out of your long johns, if that's OK.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Eat Cake! It's for your own safety!

 

[Dan B]

I can't say I crash more in winter.

I do. Last two offs were both on wet leaf mulch (one forced into gutter by oncoming car, one swerve to avoid infant on scooter in park)

 

[PhilDawson8270]

View attachment 334672

There we go, proof that even ginger cake is more effective than helmets

 

[ufkacbln]

This is the thin end of the compulsion wedge. Before you know it @mjr will be heading up a citizens militia enforcing the compulsory long johns law.

Making "Long Johns" compulsory eh?

The Cargo Bike revolution has begun