Winter Commutes

[Twilkes]

What makes you not take your bike out in the winter? If there's snow on the ground, or icey pavements, obviously I'm not going to be cycling on the roads, but do you look out for black ice warnings on weather forecasts? If the temperature is around zero is it always slippy on the roads? If they're gritting is that a bad sign?

I've only fell off on ice twice (within two days of each other, and the second one was at midnight and I was drunk and it was quite fun to be honest) but I don't want to suddenly come across ice out of nowhere and tumble down on a dual carriageway.

 

[ianrauk]

The main roads that have been gritted are usually fine for cycling.
I only don't commute if there is a heavy snowfall or ice.

 

[400bhp]

What makes you not take your bike out in the winter? If there's snow on the ground, or (i) icey pavements, (ii)obviously I'm not going to be cycling on the roads, but do you look out for black ice warnings on weather forecasts? If the temperature is around zero is it always slippy on the roads? If they're gritting is that a bad sign?

I've only fell off on ice twice (within two days of each other, and the second one was at midnight and I was drunk and it was quite fun to be honest) but I don't want to suddenly come across ice out of nowhere and tumble down on a dual carriageway.

Icy pavements? Do you cycle on the pavements?

Why obviously? Often the roads are gritted.

Personally, if there's the likelihood of a lot of ice I take another means of transport to work. For me I don't have the inclination to buy a pair of studded tyres with the faff and cost involved.

 

[Twizit]

If it's in any way icy or there's snow on the ground then no go. Otherwise game on for commuting.

same approach to motorcycle commuting a few years back and reckon I only have to take the train about 5 days per winter as a result of bad weather - benefits of living in the relatively mild South East.

 

[Teuchter]

obviously I'm not going to be cycling on the roads

Why? 95% of my normal route is on road. During winter this changes to 100%, despite the hilly detour that involves. Far less chance of ice if I stick to as busy a road as possible.

In answer to your original question though, there are some sections of my journey where it seems that quiter roads that are never gritted are unavoidable. These can sometimes be very icy even at the tail end of rush hour and I've regularly come off the bike on them in the past. Widespread ice is the main thing that will stop me riding. Snow sometimes but I actually don't mind it so much.

 

[martint235]

I used to change my route to miss out Shooters Hill in the snow as I felt that could be tricky.

Snow and ice doesn't bother me too much, as Ian says the roads out my way tend to be gritted.

Really heavy fog can make me leave the bike at home. If I'm concerned that cars won't be able to see me with two lights front and rear then it's the train.

 

[MichaelO]

I was thinking about winter commuting this morning (while I was getting soaked). I bought a new road bike a few months ago - but I'm considering reverting back to my old hybrid during the "real" winter months & leave the new bike tucked up & warm in the garage. I don't mind my hybrid getting wrecked with salt etc.etc. and it will probably give better grip than the road bike. Is this sensible (I know I'll miss riding the new bike ) - does anyone else do this?

 

[Moodyman]

Stick to busy main roads when temperatures drop below zero.

Look out for shaded sections and you should be alright.

 

[Teuchter]

I was thinking about winter commuting this morning (while I was getting soaked). I bought a new road bike a few months ago - but I'm considering reverting back to my old hybrid during the "real" winter months & leave the new bike tucked up & warm in the garage. I don't mind my hybrid getting wrecked with salt etc.etc. and it will probably give better grip than the road bike. Is this sensible (I know I'll miss riding the new bike ) - does anyone else do this?

A "winter hack" is a great idea. Even on those rare dry winter days, your bike will get clarted in corrosive muck off the roads. I'm not convinved tyre size makes any difference on black ice though - if there are any sideways (turning or even a steep camber on a straight road) or rapid (braking or accelerating) forces involved while on a patch of ice, your tyres are going to slip.

 

[Beebo]

99% of my route is on roads that are bus routes and these are given priotity for gritting, so my roads are usually clear. I will be switching to the hybrid once the ice/salt comes as I feel more confident with regard to grip and I dont mind that bike getting dirty.
I find these next few months leading up to Chritsmas the worst for slippy roads. The surface is greasy with leaves and muck; the man hole covers are like ice if you hit them at the wrong angle.

 

[BSRU]

My main commuter has another set of wheels with Marathon Winters on for riding when it is icy and I have a cheap MTB fitted with Ice Spikers for riding when it snows.

 

[Twilkes]

Icy pavements? Do you cycle on the pavements?

Why obviously? Often the roads are gritted.

I do cycle on roads, and the faster ones are usually the better, but if pavements are icey then that indicates that there may be ice on the roads somewhere, whether they've been gritted or not. It only takes one patch of ice to break your neck. Or my neck, in this case.

Thanks for all the tips, will deal with it when it comes.

 

[400bhp]

I was thinking about winter commuting this morning (while I was getting soaked). I bought a new road bike a few months ago - but I'm considering reverting back to my old hybrid during the "real" winter months & leave the new bike tucked up & warm in the garage. I don't mind my hybrid getting wrecked with salt etc.etc. and it will probably give better grip than the road bike. Is this sensible (I know I'll miss riding the new bike ) - does anyone else do this?

Yes it is sensible.

Bear in mind that the stuff that will get wrecked with salt will be the drive-train and headset, but not the frame. It's worth bearing this in mind when looking at the relative cost of replacement parts between 2 bikes. I currently have a fairly decent road bike that has a Tiagra groupset. I have a cheapo Hybrid too. I often use the hybrid in crappy weather, not so much because the parts are cheaper (Tiagra parts are pretty cheap) but because it's a bike I'm more happy with riding when it's not 100% smooth. I like my road bike to be "weekend ready" and don't want to be faffing with it on a friday evening to be ready to ride the following day.

 

[fossyant]

Personally, if there's the likelihood of a lot of ice I take another means of transport to work. For me I don't have the inclination to buy a pair of studded tyres with the faff and cost involved.

 

[fossyant]

In ice and snow, the MTB comes out to play with Studded Schwalbe Snow Studs. I'll be sticking them on at the end of October. I do have an off road route as an alternative, so makes a nice change getting away from idiots driving too fast in poor conditions. Studded tyres are a pig on tarmac - very hard going.