Winter Riding Newbie

[scaryant]

Sad to say, but summer is on the way out and I have a new found love for commuting to and from work by bike - it saves me £100 a month in Tube fares and keeps me fit and fatless(er).

I dislike cold and even though I've lived in the UK for 5 years now - as an Australian used to riding in tropical conditions, I've never had to prepare for riding in winter conditions.

So, have you "seasoned" cyclists got any tips for me? Layers? Wind proof? Rain proof? Shoe covers? Face, neck, head? I have no winter riding gear at the moment and will probably buy some stuff initially or as and when I feel it's required.

Danger considerations? Viz is obviously of more importance, jackets, lights, etc. What about early morning ice, black ice? Snow (Jan/Feb)?

Thanks!

 

[Downward]

Sad to say, but summer is on the way out and I have a new found love for commuting to and from work by bike - it saves me £100 a month in Tube fares and keeps me fit and fatless(er).

I dislike cold and even though I've lived in the UK for 5 years now - as an Australian used to riding in tropical conditions, I've never had to prepare for riding in winter conditions.

So, have you "seasoned" cyclists got any tips for me? Layers? Wind proof? Rain proof? Shoe covers? Face, neck, head? I have no winter riding gear at the moment and will probably buy some stuff initially or as and when I feel it's required.

Danger considerations? Viz is obviously of more importance, jackets, lights, etc. What about early morning ice, black ice? Snow (Jan/Feb)?

Thanks!

You'd be suprised how quick you warm up.
Last winter was the coldest for a while and I can't see it being that cold again (Cycle computer saw -10C)
The really cold days I wore those thermal compression long bottoms and tops then a long sleeve jersey, long tights and then a windproof £20 jacket from decathlon.
Some decent thick socks and some thick gloves (Lidls own) got me through.

 

[silverbow]

GLOVES! All the other kit you've mentioned as well, Hi-Viz water proof jacket, good lights but gloves are what I'll advise.

Good warm gloves can be the difference from enjoying the ride to a disaster as you can't pull the breaks quickly or hard enough.

 

[Downward]

Yeah agree there your fingers and exposed legs under say 5 degrees is a no no.

Saying that all the doom and gloom September and October are pleasant months to cycle in and the weather here is just starting to warm up.

 

[Lizban]

I found that a running style head band to keep my ears warm and gloves. The rest warms up fairly quickly.

Oh and Lights, some more lights, then some lights and oh think about getting some lights.

 

[Origamist]

Get some toe-warmers and/or overshoes and layer up.

 

[magnatom]

A buff is a must for the really cold days. Keeps your ears and face toasty.

 

[HJ]

Yeah agree there your fingers and exposed legs under say 5 degrees is a no no.

Wimp, I don't wear glove then skiing unless it is below -10 degrees...

 

[Bokonon]

Keep your hands and feet warm and as dry as possible, so decent gloves, thicker socks and overshoes. Layered clothing (eg base layer, jersey then jacket) gives better thermal control as you can add/remove as required, and will keep you reasonably warm even when wet through.

Fixed wheel bike when it is really icy so you keep of the brakes and keep the your speed down. At any rate, stay on major roads and bus routes as they should be gritted and warmer as a result of passing traffic.

Get decent lights - as bright as you can afford - before it gets dark! Use a minimum of 2 on the rear in case one fails and you don't notice. Use a minimum of 2 on the front if on unlit roads - one to light the road surface, one to make you visible.

If you can commute through the worst of the winter weather then it will make spring seem that much more pleasant.

 

[J4CKO]

Personally, having done it last year for the first time with much trepidation I found it to be ok, as long as you are warm, otherwise its bloody miserable.

I cycled in the really low temperatures we had and survived, I found the key thing was to have your cycling gear in the house, not the garage or she where you keep your bike, you want to leave the house a bit hot and welcome the cold to cool you down a bit, put a freezing cold jacket, helmet and gloves on isnt that pleasant.

Good gloves are essential, makes the difference between cold hands and pain, dont think on a moving bike you ever have warm hands.

Plenty of Hi Viz and lights.

I tend to avoid days when there is loads of ice about, seems like a cop out at the time and you may loose a few days to public transport but its better than a broken pelvis or whatever, depends how unpleasant the alternative is, I had a few nasty moments, the LandRover sliding towards me was one and to my mind I would rather get hit sat in a nice warm Saab with airbags than a push bike, watch out for off camber roads when its icy, plus dont assume that cos its over zero there is no ice, sometimes there are cold pockets, bits that dont get sun, if its below 5c watch it.

Rain doesnt actually get you that often, I think we peg a day as being rainy even if there is a half hour downpour, your chances of getting caught are not that high and I quite like it, makes you look double hard, to be honest I have been caught in Summer more, plus if anything its windier in summer.

Sometimes in the dark I feel safer almost as its definite, dawn and dusk are the most dangerous times, borderline for lights, very grey so stand out, if you arent sure, put your lights on.

Have a mobile phone with you, spare tubes, tyre levers pump and any other tools, street lights are great for mending punctures, dont bother with repair kits at the side of the road, save it for at home as it isnt very effective using adhesive when its p1ssing down.

Try and put a light on the rightmost side of you, your bike or pannier, drivers use the light as your centreline, putting the light further over makes them assume you are further out and gives you more room.

 

[purplepolly]

Layers? Wind proof? Rain proof? Shoe covers? Face, neck, head? I have no winter riding gear at the moment and will probably buy some stuff initially or as and when I feel it's required.

layers yes, with something wicking underneath so you don't get sweaty and wet. On sunny winter days there can be a big temperature difference between first thing in the morning and going home at night so you're clothes need to be flexible enough to cope with both. On my commute this is exaggerated because mornings are downhill so I don't warm up and evenings, obviously, are uphill so I quickly warm up.

wind proof - this is very important as it'll be a lot more pleasant and will greatly reduce the amount of clothing needed.

waterproof - given your background I wouldn't recommend getting wet in winter. If it's cold then at the very least keep your head, hands and feet dry and preferably the upper body.

head - a buff and a thin thermal hat and a windproof headband/earcover. Not necessarily to be worn all at the same time

What about early morning ice, black ice? Snow (Jan/Feb)?
!

Cycle carefully and don't make any sharp turns or sudden movements.

Prepare in advance - make a mental note of any places on your commute where water tends to lay on the surface after rain. These are likely spots for black ice. I started in January in the dark and soon came off on black ice at turning near home. With hindsight it's an obvious spot as there's a slight dip in the road surface, about a couple of meters square and often has a layer of water in it.

 

[purplepolly]

At any rate, stay on major roads and bus routes as they should be gritted and warmer as a result of passing traffic.
.

cyclists warming themselves on car bonnets when the traffic's stopped?

 

[Bokonon]

At any rate, stay on major roads and bus routes as they should be gritted and warmer as a result of passing traffic.
.

cyclists warming themselves on car bonnets when the traffic's stopped?

I did mean this in the context of when roads are very icy/snowed up. In these conditions sideroads can be too slippery to ride on safely, but a combination of grit and the heat coming off cars makes main roads a good option. In the worst of it in February this year, I trundled slowly in the tracks of preceeding cars along the A65 (having walked to meet it) to get into Leeds - ironically I usually avoid this road as it is too congested, but the poor conditions reduced the number of cars and as drivers where driving that bit more cautiously, the traffic was the fastest I have seen it in rush hour!

It is always really nice to stop right up behind a bus at traffic lights when it is very cold .

 

[purplepolly]

but a combination of grit and the heat coming off cars makes main roads a good option.

not only that but buildings and roads store up heat and release it overnight so anywhere that's very built up with large buildings or any road that gets warmed up by a lot of use during the day will be warmer than other areas first thing in the morning.

 

[boydj]

A buff is a must for the really cold days. Keeps your ears and face toasty.

+1 - very versatile piece of clothing - and add a skull cap for really cold days. With good gloves and overshoes and mudguards on the bike (essential for these cold wet mornings) you'll be prepared for just about anything the winter can throw at you.