Winter Commutes

[Arjimlad]

I think I may get some winter tyres for my hybrid BSO for days when there is snow or heavy ice. I can take a shorter route in along well-gritted roads too.

 

[ohnovino]

Last time there was snow and ice I left the bike at home and got the bus. That meant a walk along icy pavements to the bus stop on the main road, a bus journey along gritted roads that would have been fine to ride on, then another short icy walk to work.

Next time I might as well walk my bike to the main road and ride from there.

 

[BrumJim]

My wife sitting on me, telling me that I can't go out on the bike.

Actually, scrub that - she's ticklish!

Seriously? Fresh snow, torrential rain, or wind that makes standing upright a bit tricky.

 

[palinurus]

What makes you not take your bike out in the winter?.

Nothing. Well, nothing much, If my lights weren't working I wouldn't go out, but I have backups.

If the temperature is around zero is it always slippy on the roads? If they're gritting is that a bad sign?

No- but you need to know your route, there are certain roads I avoid in winter because of run-off from fields , shaded areas etc. where ice tends to form. My main winter route is along the bus route- which is always gritted, I tend to make more use of main roads. If I see a gritter I only see it as a bad sign in that I need to wash the bike down and spray with WD40 to get the salt off if the road surfaces are wet.

If the temperature is some way below zero but the roads are dry then cyling can be very pleasant with little risk of ice.

 

[cosmic]

Last year i bought some nice studded tyres after coming off on black ice. What a differance
Hybrid is in getting serviced just now ready for the winter coming...bring it on

 

[Matthew_T]

I only dont commute when it is really windy. I will happily go in the cold and wet as I can get wrapped up, but anything more than 20mph and I wont ride. I only require to commute 2 days in the week so it isnt much of a burden to get the bus.

 

[jarlrmai]

If there's no bike I have to walk to the train station get the train which doubles my commute time, usually the footpaths are untreated but the roads are so often it's safer on the bike as regards ice. You just have to be extra careful and make sure you don't hit any non well travelled parts of the road its more important to ride with a good position. Strong cross wind stops me sometimes it's dangerous in the cross winds on the exposed areas on my commute.

 

[biking_fox]

Like others, no days off for weather. Only if the bike itself needs some work. Snow is absolutely fine ot ride in, bike copes better than cars frequently (unless it's really deep, but little chanc eof that in the cities). If the ice was bad enough to stop buses running then I'd think about not cycling, but probably give it a go anyway. BUT you have to take ity carefully. Slow Down. Really SLow. higher cadence keeps you warm and better able to respond to twitches, hence you need a lot lower gear than usual. Work can wait if I'm late in.

 

[potsy]

Last year I bought some studded tyres and never needed them once
This year I'mjust going to get my Audi Q7 out of the garage and use that instead

 

[martint235]

Last year I bought some studded tyres and never needed them once
This year I'mjust going to get my Audi Q7 out of the garage and use that instead

You know BFF has gone don't you?

 

[potsy]

You know BFF has gone don't you?

Gone but not forgotten

 

[gaz]

I only avoid heavy snow fall days. And this is not because I can't ride in it, but because I do not trust other road users to be in complete control of their vehicle.

 

[bicyclos]

If it has been snowing I walk with the bike on the hilly untreated parts and cycle the rest. I use my winter hack as well in these conditions. We dont get gridlock much in this country to be a concern. I was talking to a window cleaner about cycling in bad weather at a Greggs shop the other week when it was peeing it down and he came out with the comment "you dont get rubbish weather its only rubbish kit" which has stuck with me and believe is true. Only time I don't cycle is, if I am too ill to go to work.

 

[cyberknight]

As others have said its only really bad snow or ice that stops me although i do commute through country lanes so it can be fairly dodgy at times so i either chance it or take the rat run through town then a cycle path which can be really dangerous as the snow/ice just gets compacted and not cleared.
Currently checking over my mtb/hybrid which i have fitted conti travel contacts , this will be the OMFG snow/ice bike otherwise i use a roadie with 23 mm tyres all year round.
As for cold i find as long as your dress right its not a problem, done commutes in - 10 before now , only my hands and feet were cold so this year i have just got some winter cycling boots with built in neoprene and some decent gloves.

 

[damme]

I commute no matter how much snow or how cold it is. Just put proper winter tires like Schwalbe Marathon Winters and you are good to go.