Winter commuting. Is it worth the risks?

[- Baz -]

This will be my first winter commuting by bike. Since June I haven't missed a day. I'm off this week using up some hols - last day today

Seems the current icy spell is going to be here for some time, and I'm going to be faced with the prospect of minus 3C on Monday at 7:30am plus windchill (-10 or more?). It's not the temperature, though. It's the icy roads, with possible black ice, lethal manhole covers, numpties who can't see out of their windscreens, and possible damage to me and what's worse my (only) bike if I come a cropper. Currently have M+ tyres, but my commute both ways is like wacky races at the best of times.

So, much as I hate it and miss the bike, I've decided to sod it and get the bus until the weather improves. Couple of weeks on the bus, or a couple of months off battered and bruised? Or worse? Or should I just MTFU?

 

[goo_mason]

This will be my first winter commuting by bike. Since June I haven't missed a day. I'm off this week using up some hols - last day today

Seems the current icy spell is going to be here for some time, and I'm going to be faced with the prospect of minus 3C on Monday at 7:30am plus windchill (-10 or more?). It's not the temperature, though. It's the icy roads, with possible black ice, lethal manhole covers, numpties who can't see out of their windscreens, and possible damage to me and what's worse my (only) bike if I come a cropper. Currently have M+ tyres, but my commute both ways is like wacky races at the best of times.

So, much as I hate it and miss the bike, I've decided to sod it and get the bus until the weather improves. Couple of weeks on the bus, or a couple of months off battered and bruised? Or worse? Or should I just MTFU?

I got through my firsst winter without any problems with the ice & snow. Then the next winter I came off 5 times during one nightmare commute with black ice everywhere. Bruised & battered and the bike was badly damaged. Last winter I rode until I fell off on ice (albeit very slowly, but still had a slightly-sprained wrist) and thereafter I took the bus when there was any hint of ice/snow. This year I'm doing the same - I love cycling, but the risk isn't worth it for me. I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Of course, everyone has their own limits and others may keep cycling through conditions I now baulk at.

 

[John the Monkey]

Riding on ice is a fantastic way to break an elbow, if you've ever had the wish to do so.

If you haven't, you've probably made the right decision.

 

[HLaB]

Ive found its never as bad as the weather forecasters make out, you have to be sensible however and modify your route perhaps to go by bigger roads (cycle paths and quieter roads can be lethal at this time of year). Related you have to think about what routes you have to take; there might be no avoiding bad bits etc for you. I've never hit it but there is a common sense limit, however where by you have to say that one minor spill could have you off the bike for a couple of weeks; if you give it a miss that one day its better than an enforced break for 2 weeks. Because I cycle in a city (roads are gritted / trafficked often) I usually use the limit of -5 deg (its never actually hit that for me), where grit becomes inneffective at -6deg.

 

[skudupnorth]

I love the challenge (if that's what you can call it ! ) I can see from some peoples point of view regarding numpty's on the road and icey stuff it can be a tad scary out there but i just cannot stand being stuck in traffic jams sat behind a wheel of a car so i ride right through and beyond !

 

[upsidedown]

Just take it one day at a time. If you look at it as "the winter" it's much more scary.

 

[BentMikey]

Ice is a fantastic way to break an elbow, if you've ever had the wish to do so.

If you haven't, you've probably made the right decision.

That's more than a little over dramatic. Studded tyres will avoid the problem entirely.

Besides, it's not even winter yet, I couldn't imagine not cycling for the next four months. Some days might be worth skipping, but most of it will be totally fine for cycling.

 

[BSRU]

This is my first winter commuting also, I have invested in some Marathon Winters for the icy days and light snow showers. Normally November is the month I have stopped due to lack of equipment and suitable clothing and the start of the flu/cold season but this year I decided to continue.

The Marathon Winters are a reassurance, as long as I am careful, although today some guy at work commuted in on a road bike with 23c slick tyres.

 

[magnatom]

I'll be cycling all the way through, and did so all the way through last winter (even when -15C!). All of that was done on road bikes with 25mm tyres.

The treated roads are generally fine, and so long as you take a bit more care, there is no reason not to commute during the winter. The only downside is that the salt isn't great for your bike!

 

[Moodyman]

The treated roads are generally fine, and so long as you take a bit more care, there is no reason not to commute during the winter. The only downside is that the salt isn't great for your bike

Agree. I'm lucky that my commute is all main roads once I get out of my street. These are well gritted and usually ice free. Still, I'm a little cautious rounds bends and downhills.

Mornings like today, I pedalled in a higher gear to increase rear-wheel traction.

 

[John the Monkey]

That's more than a little over dramatic. Studded tyres will avoid the problem entirely.

Silly me!

Ahem - ymmv.

round my way we get plenty of run off from the fields, even on dry days - it freezes, and is lethal. I wouldn't take the chance, personally, not having £60(?) ish to shell out for new tyres right before Christmas.

To the op - look at local conditions, the kit you have, and see what you reckon. It's the little commute & the train for me when the mercury is below zero.

 

[beanzontoast]

I agree Baz - ice or snow and nowadays, I'll be on the bus.

It's nothing to do with MTFU and everything to do with personal safety.

Mag - I have to disagree where you say 'as long as you take a bit more care, there is no reason not to commute during the winter'. Black ice cannot be seen, no matter how much care you are taking, and the danger from other road users is higher when poor weather and darkness combine.

 

[magnatom]

I agree Baz - ice or snow and nowadays, I'll be on the bus.

It's nothing to do with MTFU and everything to do with personal choice.

Mag - I have to disagree where you say 'as long as you take a bit more care, there is no reason not to commute during the winter'. Black ice cannot be seen, no matter how much care you are taking, and the danger from other road users is higher when poor weather and darkness combine.

Ah, but I am correct that the treated roads are generally fine. On some side roads yes there is more of an issue. I'll get off and walk if I have to or feel that there is a raised risk.

I'm not sure I agree that the overall risk increases in the winter due to bad driving. That's not my experience. I have a good set of front and back lights, which probably makes me stand out more in the winter than in the summer, and as the cars are lit up they can be easier to see as well.

Of course it all depends on what type of roads you ride.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

There's a lot of sense spoken above. Just play it day by day... this morning the weather said -3 where I am, and icy conditions, so I had a look out and weighed up what the tarmac was like... it was frosty rather than icy, so I decided to give it a go. The ride in was dry and chilly, but the roads were well gritted and there was bags of grip even on my 25mm Bonty racelites.

When it gets really bad I'll pick up the car keys instead of the helmet, after all there's no shame in jumping in the car now and then. And I'm like John in that I can ill afford a £60 set of tyres at this time of year.

 

[bonker]

To all of the above, seconded.
Stick to the bigger roads
If there is ice forget it


I've commuted all year round for years. The cold isn't the problem its when there is the liklihood of wet with it. Hitting the deck hurts and you will almost certainly be wearing your best kit.

The other problem is when the roads have been gritted your puncture count will go up too.

Having said all of that I prefer the winter. Cold clear days like today are the best.