Winter rides

[Alex321]

4.44 ° is my cutoff. So sez my nose, toes & eyes. Okay, everyone, open season to brag about how long you ride in what ultra frigid temps!

I had two or three rides last winter in sub-zero temperatures (but nothing below -3C) and quite a lot between 0 and 4C.

We'll see what this year brings, but I'll be cycling early morning twice a week (commuting, leave home about 7AM), where last year it was always after work. Which may well mean some colder starts.

 

[carpiste]

I hate the winter, I hate the cold, I hate the thought of sliding and crashing on black ice and I hate the thought of waiting, wrapped in an old blanket given by some passing motorist or householder, whilst the ambulance arrives to take me to A&E!
If there is any chance, any chance at all of ground frost or ice then I`ll stay indoors thanks very much. Several weeks or months in traction or recovering at home from broken bones doesn`t inspire me one bit!
Getting dragged around or blown slightly off course by a strong wind or having the rain lash down on me is one thing....

 

[Bollo]

I hate the winter, I hate the cold, I hate the thought of sliding and crashing on black ice and I hate the thought of waiting, wrapped in an old blanket given by some passing motorist or householder, whilst the ambulance arrives to take me to A&E!
If there is any chance, any chance at all of ground frost or ice then I`ll stay indoors thanks very much. Several weeks or months in traction or recovering at home from broken bones doesn`t inspire me one bit!
Getting dragged around or blown slightly off course by a strong wind or having the rain lash down on me is one thing....

Testify brother Carpiste! I fecking hate it. If I’m in the mood and there’s no risk of ice then I might stick my nose out, otherwise I’ll live on the turbo until spring. The only benefit of winter is that the New Forest becomes practically deserted and a much more relaxed riding experience.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I'm looking forward to dusting off the fixed the end of next month ready for some fixed winter miles.

 

[tyred]

I hate the winter, I hate the cold, I hate the thought of sliding and crashing on black ice and I hate the thought of waiting, wrapped in an old blanket given by some passing motorist or householder, whilst the ambulance arrives to take me to A&E!
If there is any chance, any chance at all of ground frost or ice then I`ll stay indoors thanks very much. Several weeks or months in traction or recovering at home from broken bones doesn`t inspire me one bit!
Getting dragged around or blown slightly off course by a strong wind or having the rain lash down on me is one thing....

Absolutely. I don't do ice or when there's a real possibility of ice but will do just about any other weather conditions.

 

[Oldhippy]

I still need to shop in the Winter so use my trusty steed all year. Let a bit of air out the tyres in slippery conditions and jobs a good un!

 

[carpiste]

Testify brother Carpiste! I fecking hate it. If I’m in the mood and there’s no risk of ice then I might stick my nose out, otherwise I’ll live on the turbo until spring. The only benefit of winter is that the New Forest becomes practically deserted and a much more relaxed riding experience.

Absolutely. I don't do ice or when there's a real possibility of ice but will do just about any other weather conditions.

Thank you both and anyone else who agrees
My faith in humanity has been restored once again

 

[Alex321]

Absolutely. I don't do ice or when there's a real possibility of ice but will do just about any other weather conditions.

A regular frost with otherwise dry roads, I can deal with. You can see that, and it isn't actually as slippery as you might expect.

Any chance of black ice, nope. Not after coming off on the stuff twice in my younger days.

All but the first mile or so of my commute will be on roads that should be gritted too, so not too worried about that.

 

[matticus]

... of course studded tyres do make ice pretty much as safe as wet tarmac. A hassle if you (only) have an unsuitable bike, but worth considering ...

 

[matticus]

A regular frost with otherwise dry roads, I can deal with. You can see that, and it isn't actually as slippery as you might expect.

Any chance of black ice, nope.

Well I agree about frost - but how do you know you won't meet a wet patch?

My only really painful off was on a country lane with some field run-off. Sunny afternoon, roads otherwise dry. Shortly afterwards we were passed by a gritting lorry 🤦‍♀️ !

 

[Dolorous Edd]

In the South West at least, ice is pretty rare after say 10am, as long as you avoid shady minor lanes. So it's easy to do plenty of winter riding without much ice risk - if you don't mind the cold and the rain, of course.

 

[All uphill]

Warning: "I'm alright" statement coming.

Down here in the soft South and South West of England the weather may look grey and dismal from the kitchen window in winter, but there really aren't that many unrideable days. It's getting out the door that's tough.

 

[numbnuts]

Yeah there is nothing better than to freeze your icicles off on a winters day – roll on the summer

 

[Oldhippy]

Yeah there is nothing better than to freeze your icicles off on a winters day – roll on the summer

I just wear thermals under combat trousers and warm fleece under rain jacket with decent gloves.

 

[Alex321]

Warning: "I'm alright" statement coming.

Down here in the soft South and South West of England the weather may look grey and dismal from the kitchen window in winter, but there really aren't that many unrideable days. It's getting out the door that's tough.

Agreed - much the same in South Wales. I quite often find myself looking out of the window and thing "I really don't want to face that", but once I do, it is rarely as bad as it looks.

It doesn't help matters that it takes longer to get out, with having to add arm & leg warmers, overshoes, gloves, even a buff if really cold, and always needing the lights on and ready for use.