Winter Commuting, getting bike ready

[adds21]

Would love a gravel drive way. Just dubious about how much extra work load it takes to cycle with them. 17 miles is enough for me one way, especially now the winter is in and the wind this week. So still try and find a balance to keep it from totally wiping me out.

You probably passed me this morning though Long Ashton as we battled the wind and rain! Looks like it's going to be a wet week...

 

[James Blackwell]

You probably passed me this morning though Long Ashton as we battled the wind and rain! Looks like it's going to be a wet week...

Alas, this morning I dodged it this morning, need to be else where so the car came to my rescue. But rest of the week I have no choice. If you see a guy with a Jaguar Enthusiasts' Club Hi-Vis on, struggling in the wind on a black and green carrera, say hi.
Do you do the route daily?

 

[adds21]

Alas, this morning I dodged it this morning, need to be else where so the car came to my rescue. But rest of the week I have no choice. If you see a guy with a Jaguar Enthusiasts' Club Hi-Vis on, struggling in the wind on a black and green carrera, say hi.
Do you do the route daily?

Yes, daily. I come from the direction of the airport, so I normally cut across from the A38 and join the Long Ashton road at Wild Country Lane, but I occationally go the long way and use the new cycle path by the railway if I go swimming in the morning, (haven't done for ages). For some reason (which I don't fully understand) I use the long Ashton road in the mornings on the way to Bristol, but use the new Festival way path on the way back in the evenings.

 

[James Blackwell]

Yes, daily. I come from the direction of the airport, so I normally cut across from the A38 and join the Long Ashton road at Wild Country Lane, but I occationally go the long way and use the new cycle path by the railway if I go swimming in the morning, (haven't done for ages). For some reason (which I don't fully understand) I use the long Ashton road in the mornings on the way to Bristol, but use the new Festival way path on the way back in the evenings.

OK, will keep an eye out. I generally stick to the road through Long Ashton, I find the festival way a bit too stop start. I'm usually through there about 8:00 am. or 6:00 pm.

 

[adds21]

OK, will keep an eye out. I generally stick to the road through Long Ashton, I find the festival way a bit too stop start. I'm usually through there about 8:00 am. or 6:00 pm.

Yeah, about the same times as me. I'm either on a Ribble, a Boardman CX, or a hidious bright green fixed gear (or, very occationally, a 29" unicycle, but I stick to the back roads then!).

 

[jagman.2003]

Personally I change over to an old mountain bike for a couple of months over winter. It's ready to go with fat studded tyres & mud guards. Suspension forks for when I need to take alternative routes. Different light mounts for bigger & better lights. Battered & scratched paintwork if it gets dropped. It is a lot slower, but keeps me fit. Also I'm not so heart broken when it gets a bit of corrosion. I've only got the Jaguar Enthusiast sticker in the car!

 

[drewc65]

I ride from knowle to Severn beach most mornings. I leave at 04.15 and get into work about an hour later. Don't know if you know the hill between shire Hampton and Lawrence Weston after 3 months I can finally climb it. Only just got back into riding after many years away and it sounds like you guys have more experience than myself. So any views on my progress would be welcome seeing as you are local and I really have no one to ask.

 

[adds21]

Personally I change over to an old mountain bike for a couple of months over winter.

Yes, I've got an old hybrid which I keep studded tyres on all year round. Much easier than having to change tyres on another bike all the time, or riding on studs when they're not needed. My winter preparation is pretty much just take the winter hybrid down from where it hangs in the garage, and make sure the tyres still have air in them. I probably ride it not more than 10 days a year, but it's worth it when I do, particularly as half the roads aren't treated on my commute.

Last winter, I foolishly took my "normal" mountain bike one day after getting bored of the hybrid after a week of riding it, and on the way home, up a hill, I had to take to pushing it along the verge as I could even stand on the road without sliding down, reinforced to me how helpful studs are.

 

[akb]

I cycle commuted 2 full winters 20 miles, 4 days a week and have never used Studded tyres for winter commuting.

If there was the chance of snow I took the MTB with knobblies.
If it was icy, I either slowed down or used the Mountain bike.

If your winter commute is the same as your summer commute, you will get to know where the sharp bends are and hazard turns are. As long as you use a bit of common sense, and are cautious with your cycling you should be ok.

I never came off on any of my commutes due to snow / ice.

Other than tyres, I would suggest making sure your lights work and batteries hold their charge. As long as you maintain your bike it should last you.

 

[Downward]

Anyone know of full mudguards for a hybrid - Sick of my feel getting wet from half mudguards.

 

[BSRU]

Anyone know of full mudguards for a hybrid - Sick of my feel getting wet from half mudguards.

SKS chromoplastics or bluemels, just make sure you get the right size for your tyres.

 

[Steven bates]

We'll it finally happened , been cycling 6 months , 1 month clipless and had first fall today and second
First was more of a skid across the ice wripped over boot and goretex jacket " are you ok I heard from a passing walker " pride more dented than anything else
2 nd fall more of a fall from grace , but this one hurt arm , leg finger and a damaged helmet , or we'll lived to tell the tale 32 mile in the bag a little slower than hoped but can't have everything
Watch the black ice people it's lethal
For those interested I'm running on continental gatorskins maybe winter tyres required