I can still recall the exquisite pain in my hands from a gloveless winter commute (10 miles) some 35 years ago. Did half a mile then realised I'd forgotten gloves. Can't be bothered going back so carried on, then got cold, then the pain. After about 5 miles got used to it. However when I got to work and started warming up again the pain was unbelievable and took what seemed an age to subside. Still brings tears to my eyes thinking about it. Never forgot my gloves since
I used to be able to go without them. but not now
Conversely, if I wore them at a CX race, I'd end up taking them off after a couple of laps, & throwing them at someone I knew, to collect post-race
Winter sorts the men from the boys!!!
The drop off of commuters is quite astonishing
Always cycle in a straight line over ice
I learned the hard way!
Indeed it does, a lot disappear & use the bus, at my place of employment
I've ridden '365' for a long time (& run for the past 8 years too - if it gets that bad, I'll run in fell-race shoes)
I remember once, when I worked in the centre of Leeds, when it started snowing about 16:00
Staff, who lived in Bradford, etc... were told they could go home (as our vans weren't getting in either), Raghu, one of the engineers got as far as Elland Road, then eventually got back about 21:00 (5 hours, for 4 miles)
I rode home, on closed, snow-bound roads, at 23:00, slaloming round abandoned vehicles
I couldn't ride up the last hill home (not steep either!), & took about 10 minutes over normal
Now I've got the CGR, I may experiment with lower tyre pressures (as it's on '28' section), or try the tyres off my CX bike, to see if they'll fit under the mudguards
Ice?
Best way!, but I'll add try not to pedal over it either
Black ice is a different matter, I once found it twice in less than 500yards, on Ferry Lane (between Altofts & Stanley, by the Canal)
The second fall, I really thought I'd broken my wrist, as I did see the proverbial stars
.If the knees play ball I'm looking forward to the solitude of Winscar Res in the snow again.
And doubtless, slithering down the hill, towards Dunford Bridge, from Carlecotes, or Harden??