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?
Personally, I ride in anything except heavy rain. Cold is easy, icy is easy (but then I do consider myself to have good balance and bike handling skills ((not exceptional, but good)) so can maybe cover many situations that would floor 'normal' riders?) In recent years have ridden in dry but cold conditions down to about -12 without problems. Cold AND wet is a definite no go for me as it just isn't fun anymore and can get quite miserable.
For me I don't have the inclination to buy a pair of studded tyres with the faff and cost involved.
Me too. If it is that bad then I just jump in the car where a little slip or slide is soooooooooo much more under control.
My wife sitting on me, telling me that I can't go out on the bike.
That is just a huge missed opportunity! Why would you want to go to work if this is the alternative?
You know BFF has gone don't you?
Who, or what, is BFF (if I need to ask, does this refer to wankpanzers?)
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.
This is the big unknown and the most dangerous aspect IMO. The demonstrated snow driving skill of the typical driver is so poor in my experience that once there is snow on the ground ALL BETS ARE OFF! I have LOTS of experience of driving in low grip conditions like mud, wet grass, snow, ice, diesel spill etc in front wheel drive, rear wheel drive,and 4wd drive. I know what to expect and how to react but unfortunately a large proportion of the driving population don't. Even my wife, who I would rate as a competent driver, will shy away from exploring how a vehicle behaves when on, or beyond, the limits of adhesion (in safe conditions obviously). How can she expect to react well when it all goes a bit too far? Other road users pose the biggest unknown risk!
