Members with cars who commute to work on cycle in winter - how do you do it?

[MrGrumpy]

to be honest nowadays it annoys me that I would even have to take the car, in fact this is how bad the addiction is! I now turn down lifts back from work by my Mrs as I would rather cycle Bad eh! I think you only get to this point once you have ridden a lot of miles and gotten into the habit as they say. However I think it does help if your facilities are decent and that encourages you to not be a lazy ass and drive, all very well turning upto work a sweaty mess if you cannot get showered and cleaned up

 

[Gains84]

Mainly down to will power i think, it is very hard some days to head out into the dark, cold and wet but once you cross the threshold and out on the road i think the enjoyment (endorphins as endomondo would say) takes over and you forget you even considered the car or public transport!
Like everyone has said though having the right kit is paramount as riding with frozen numb hands/feet/anything isnt nice so just layer up and enjoy it!

 

[drewc65]

I have to agree on the old shower thing. Got one at work lovely after the ride nice and refreshing. My route is back streets well lite cycle path (could do with new tarmac though hint hint Bristol council ) through Ind est and about hailf a mile on a unlte track

 

[col.kurtz]

How? Repeat to myself in the mornings ".. cars are for sheep and those lacking moral fibre.." plus the strange sense of failure if I take the easy option.
Why? Because it's fun.

 

[HLaB]

I would still cycle anyway but I just checked our parking charges £37.50 a month but I can get that down to £360 with salary sacrafice; I can think of better things to sacrafice my salary on, thats circa 10 new bike tyres.

 

[akb]

You are all depressing me.

A few reasons I used to commute 11 miles to work, regardless of weather (also reasons why I miss it like hell )

1. Driving to work took 40 mins in traffic. Cycling to work took 40 mins. No brainer.
2. Saving on the price of fuel, wear and tear on the car etc.
3. I lost a lot of weight (its slowly going back on)
4. I was properly awake when I arrived at work. Feeling refreshed and ready to start the day
5. The journey home was a great way to de-stress from the day.
6. Nothing beats a crisp cold mornings ride through fields, with various wildlife dotted about, with the winter sun rising behind you.
7. I also loved cycling back on the darks winters night, perfect excuse to spend a bit of money on decent lights. I have a bit of a gadget addiction!

Cycle commuting for me now is not an option as I have changed jobs; its approx 45 miles one way, on busy roads. I miss the hell out of it. Make the most of it whilst you can!

 

[Frood42]

I get on the bike and pedal

Currently doing 30miles in the morning and anywhere between 10 - 30 miles in the evening.

The sweat is my main problem on the longer morning ride, as it gets trapped in my fleece jacket and can be rather chilly when the wind blows, other than that it's not too big a problem.

I just MTFU

Although having the right gear does help, and the chilly wind keeps my water nice and cold in my water bottles.

 

[hopless500]

20 mins - peice of ****. Try 1 hour 40 each way

Pah. Try two hours each way

 

[sazzaa]

I drive in when I know I'll need the car during the work day or when it's pretty windy outside. But to be honest I feel a bit rubbish when I drive in now, 20-30mins on a bike in the morning is brilliant and I get into work with loads of energy, I kinda dreaded going out on the bike to start with but now I'm a bit addicted. Unsure of what I'm going to do when it starts snowing.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Pah. Try two hours each way

Pah. Try 4hrs 20 minutes round trip and I only live 5 miles from work

 

[hopless500]

When we get to snow-time it'll be the car though. The roads here are not cycleable. Last winter the packed ice and snow didn't disappear for months. Turbo trainer time then unfortunately.

 

[4F]

Pah. Try 4hrs 20 minutes round trip and I only live 5 miles from work

You need to cycle faster

 

[MrGrumpy]

Yes snow and ice means I take no risks there are some die hards on here whom will keep on going but not on my route

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Ice means studded tyres, snow means short route to work down the tow path and if the snow gets to bad to cycle then I would walk rather than drive.

 

[hopless500]

Ice means studded tyres, snow means short route to work down the tow path and if the snow gets to bad to cycle then I would walk rather than drive.

I wouldn't be able to walk it. ~Way too far for a start, and in the conditions of last year, I'd probably be dead before I got halfway!