Starting a 10 mile commute at this time of year?

[SilverSurfer]

I did it a couple of times in late August, now I want to do it full time.

But it is dark now and I would be on unlit country lanes.

Daft?

 

[ianrauk]

no. As long as you have good lights, go for it.

 

[Losidan]

a nice waterproof jacket which has hi viz strips on will help keeping seen too and keep the weather out...Endura have some nice ones at not too silly money either

 

[purplepolly]

Daft?

Absolutely.

I started last January. As I wanted to get into the habit I kept cycling through the permafrost that formed over the next few weeks, precariously balanced on the extact center of the steeply cambered side roads.

 

[J4CKO]

Just do it, but make sure you are well lit, not ten quids worth from Halfords, for dark lanes you need to throw some light out to see by, not just be seen, I do it and love it, kind of prefer the dark, I think people assume you will die if its wet and cold and not in a car when its actually quite enjoyable, not always but thats usually down to cars.


Couple of Tesco torches, four Jubilee clips, two interlocked together make a cheap bracket, 4 rechargable AA batteries, perhaps a flash at the front as well, £20 Cateye plus a couple of two quid flashers for the back, full setup under £50

 

[palinurus]

You'll need good lights, but it's do-able- can be quite pleasant as it goes. I have the option of a longer commute on unlit lanes and sometimes use it during the winter. Up to now I've used rechargeable lighting, this winter I'm using a hub dynamo so I don't need to remember to charge batteries.

The other issue with lanes for all-year round commuting is ice- more chance of it forming on country lanes, little chance of any gritting and not easy to spot in the dark.

Depends on which part of the country you are in, but I have few icy commutes in a given year and when it does get that cold I have an option which uses gritted roads.

 

[BentMikey]

Go for it, you're not crazy at all. If I can point out this topic on yacf, it's a good read. There's some excellent advice in there, from teethgrinder especially. Now he is a serious cyclist.

http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=23051.0

 

[ianrauk]

+1 for NightVision Jacket and you may want to get yourself a pair of NightVision tights also

 

[purplepolly]

I do it and love it, kind of prefer the dark, I think people assume you will die if its wet and cold and not in a car when its actually quite enjoyable, not always but thats usually down to cars.

I like cycling in the dark and I certainly find it more fun than driving at night and less chance of falling asleep on the journey.

 

[SilverSurfer]

Now to convince the wife...

I actually have the Tesco torches and Fishlock things, but charging batteries (that are too big!) seems a pain.

I know, excuses...

But, I feel strangely compelled....

Would feel better with a purpose built fit and forget type setup with dynohubs etc, but then it starts to seem like too much faffing.

Maybe start on the road bike on dry days and see how it goes?

 

[purplepolly]

But, I feel strangely compelled....

Ah good, the mind control experiment is working. Now to set up the secret transmitter overlookng the M60.

 

[Downward]

Get some Rechargeable Energizer Batteries

 

[cyberknight]

Go for it and good luck !!

I use a tesco c size torch and also have 2x 1 watt leds and i get on fine on my commute and thats unlit and completey dark at 6 am so you should be fine if you have a couple strapped on.

I also have 3 rear lights and enough hi-viz to stand out and i find the drivers do give me plenty of room.

As for recharging A multi -charger is good and cheap , find my batteries last 2 weeks but i only use the torch on the unlit bits .

Heres my commute...

 

[totallyfixed]

Carry a head torch as back up and in case you are unlucky enough to puncture where it's very dark, makes fettling that much easier. But yes go for it, most enjoyable part of a ride when it's pitch black and there's just you and your pool of light.

 

[snapper_37]

But it is dark now and I would be on unlit country lanes.

Daft?

Certainly wouldn't worry about the dark (with lights, hi-viz etc) but I had one of my worst 'offs' down to ice in a country lane in Feb, so be careful.