Members with cars who commute to work on cycle in winter - how do you do it?
- Thread starter bigup
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
GrumpyGregry
Here for rides.
I've had years , funiily enough when I had my own car, when I've stuck it out, years when I've multi-moded (train+bike) for much of the winter, and years when I've blagged lifts in. But now I don't have my own car. My commute is mainly rural country lanes, with an cross-country A road alternative if I want to have a really horrible ride in/out.
i don't mind the rain nor the cold if it is dry. I won't ride in fog nor if it is icy. What really puts me off is the way folk drive on those country lanes peak times when it is dark, without a moments thought to the possibility that around the next bend is a bicycle gong much slower than they are.
i don't mind the rain nor the cold if it is dry. I won't ride in fog nor if it is icy. What really puts me off is the way folk drive on those country lanes peak times when it is dark, without a moments thought to the possibility that around the next bend is a bicycle gong much slower than they are.
I left home this morning at 04.00. Leaving the car on the drive. So can't say I do it because of the traffic. Should finish about 18.00 tonight and will ride back home and the traffic will be okay. Its approx 13 miles each way with a killer of a hill. I enjoy every minute. turn down offers of lift home every week so I suppose I must be MAD as all my work mates say. Lol oh and I spend all day driving a 17 ton truck all over uk deliv kitchens and bathrooms.
Last edited:
Matthew_T
"Young and Ex-whippet"
- Location
- Prestatyn, North Wales
College starts and 9am and I normally set off at 7.30am (takes me an hour), so I usually set off in the dark and arrive in the sunrise. Its absolutely lovely having the sun creep up behind me and then in the evening it goes down behind me again. It can get cold but as long as you have the right gear on, you get used to it.
I havent commuted to work in the cold yet but that route is shorter and a bit more protected from the wind (however it has been known to snow there heavily in winter).
I havent commuted to work in the cold yet but that route is shorter and a bit more protected from the wind (however it has been known to snow there heavily in winter).
matthat
Über Member
- Location
- South Liverpool
I agree with all of the above,
A few years ago i arrived to work my usual ten mins early in 2-4 inches of snow on a fairly rural 6 mile commute, when i got in and changed i went to the general office and could hear the duty senior manager telling a colleague down the phone saying if Matt can get in on bike from ----------- you've got no excuse from 2 miles away. This happened non stop for about half hr to various colleagues.
I'm currently not riding as far as i'd like to work so i'm hoping to transfer to a new job next summer which will be a 14 mile commute each way. It certainly gets the blood flowing and i always feel more alert for the day when i ride in rather than cheat and use the car.
A few years ago i arrived to work my usual ten mins early in 2-4 inches of snow on a fairly rural 6 mile commute, when i got in and changed i went to the general office and could hear the duty senior manager telling a colleague down the phone saying if Matt can get in on bike from ----------- you've got no excuse from 2 miles away. This happened non stop for about half hr to various colleagues.
I'm currently not riding as far as i'd like to work so i'm hoping to transfer to a new job next summer which will be a 14 mile commute each way. It certainly gets the blood flowing and i always feel more alert for the day when i ride in rather than cheat and use the car.
Leaway2
Lycrist
- Location
- Manchester (Sale)
Listening to people in the office moaning about the price of petrol and how much to fill a tank.
Linford
Guest
I bought an SD card on sunday from my local HMV, and it crashed last night. Got to go into town to swap it out after work, and don't have any way of locking my cycle up...so I'm on the Motorbike today...just hope it stays dry as it is easier to ride a cycle in the rain than a motorcycle.
subaqua
What’s the point
- Location
- Leytonstone
the same reason I started to ride in. I got sick of a sweaty armpit in my face on the train at 06.30am on the way into work. I can't take a car into where I work and the other alternative of the bus was a non starter .
several people are already asking if I am going to do winter again. the answer will be the same- of course, all i need is the proper clothing
several people are already asking if I am going to do winter again. the answer will be the same- of course, all i need is the proper clothing
Linford
Guest
For me it takes 5 minutes to drive to work or about 2 hours on my bike commuting in the morning.
You are either vey fast in one, or very slown on the other
what type of commute is it for you guys - if i rode in the winter 10 of the 15miles would be on a very dark cycle track in the middle of know where and i have to be honest that scares me a little - the main road in the winter is just a no no for me
if i use the track its 1hr into work and 1 and half home - the homeward bound includes 1300ft of climbing or 88.18ft per mile
if i use the track its 1hr into work and 1 and half home - the homeward bound includes 1300ft of climbing or 88.18ft per mile
matthat
Über Member
- Location
- South Liverpool
My old 6 mile commute was along a busy unlit A rd.(30 mins ish avg) My current commute of 1.9 miles is a fairly well lit various routes (10 mins) My potential new commute of whats looking like 14 miles will be a variation of main rd unlit cycle tracks and cut through a couple of housing estates. I'm actually just working it out on Google maps so i can test ride it fairly soon in winter to see what its like. (45 mins ish i hope)
Arjimlad
Tights of Cydonia
- Location
- South Glos
I use the A38 which is a fairly busy road, then country lanes which are fairly quiet but unlit. I do 11 miles in and 6 miles home although the shortest route is 4 miles. Main light was a cree torch until I got a Moon XP300 this year.
Proper gloves (Aldi winter, Altura Night Vision or ski gloves when it is below freezing) and Altura winter cruiser leggings, a buff or balaclava to keep ears and head warm, and some overshoes make it a lot more comfortable. Also cycle glasses.
I love the commute for all the reasons others have stated. Love being outdoors especially on the country lanes & the adventure of a dark ride home of an evening gets the adrenaline flowing !
Proper gloves (Aldi winter, Altura Night Vision or ski gloves when it is below freezing) and Altura winter cruiser leggings, a buff or balaclava to keep ears and head warm, and some overshoes make it a lot more comfortable. Also cycle glasses.
I love the commute for all the reasons others have stated. Love being outdoors especially on the country lanes & the adventure of a dark ride home of an evening gets the adrenaline flowing !
I love cycling in cold weather. I like it when I stop at lights and the steam is pouring off my head!
If it's cold, rainy, and windy it can be a bit grim, but it's quite unusual to get all of those at the same time.
I also really enjoy cycling in the snow - bung the studded tyres on my MTB and it's a blast.
I definitely prefer it when it's warm, sunny, and light in both directions, but I don't find the cold weather puts me off at all. (check my signature!)
If it's cold, rainy, and windy it can be a bit grim, but it's quite unusual to get all of those at the same time.
I also really enjoy cycling in the snow - bung the studded tyres on my MTB and it's a blast.
I definitely prefer it when it's warm, sunny, and light in both directions, but I don't find the cold weather puts me off at all. (check my signature!)
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Like others have said. Choice is to sit in nose to tail traffic for just 6 miles in a nice comfy heated car with a great sound system, or get on the bike, feel refreshed and ride 11 miles quicker than I can drive 6.
Right clothing is important. I too have no showers, just a supply of baby wipes.
Anyway, you'll just feel guilty for not exercising.
Ice, then I have my MTB with studded tyres -15c in Jan 2010, and a foot of snow - I was just about the only person in work. We then got sent home at 11, so I rode the long off road route home, arrived home 2 hours later !!
Right clothing is important. I too have no showers, just a supply of baby wipes.
Anyway, you'll just feel guilty for not exercising.
Ice, then I have my MTB with studded tyres -15c in Jan 2010, and a foot of snow - I was just about the only person in work. We then got sent home at 11, so I rode the long off road route home, arrived home 2 hours later !!
