Winter weather cycling

[fossyant]

All I would say, if it's cold enough to freeze, if it's been dry then it's usually fairly OK to ride. If it's rained overnight and froze, then be very careful - main roads should be OK. In these cases I walk to the main road.

I cycle all year, and last winter maybe missed 5 days riding due to bad ice, the winter before was only one or two days.

Storms are fun...... when the wind is howling - certainly adds a new element to it.... and nearly crashing into an errant large shop wheely bin that blew into the road.........

 

[Whrrr]

Well I've sold the car and you simply can't get a bus or train to where I work, so it's either 30 minutes each way on the bike or two hours of walking! Just started to build up my warm clothes collection!

 

[gbb]

For comfortable winter riding i'd suggest a skull cap that covers the ears, good gloves and something like Bolle vipers...(clear safety specs) On cold mornings they stop the cold wind stinging your eyes, makes a tremendous difference. They're no good in the rain mind
I always wear an Altura Nevis jacket with normal clothes underneath....rarely get that cold.

This is an extreme of what you can commute in, snow and wind all the way to work...i looked the same as the bike

 

[Jane Smart]

I love cycling in the rain.......!!! No matter how cold. It just does something for me.

Me too how sad eh

 

[Trevrev]

Well I've sold the car and you simply can't get a bus or train to where I work, so it's either 30 minutes each way on the bike or two hours of walking! Just started to build up my warm clothes collection!

You won't need too many warm clothes. Get over the first 5 or so minutes, then you'll be getting nice and warm.
But, as long as my hands are warm i'm ok.......Nice hot blood in me.

 

[gaz]

Layers are important, as most of the time it will be warmer on the way home, which means you need to wear less, so the ability to take layers away is important!

 

[bauldbairn]

I love cycling in the rain.......!!! No matter how cold. It just does something for me.

I love the rain! - Can't put my finger on it but when I was a 365 day a year Motorcyclist / Scooterist, if I was woken by the rain during the nite I'd often "have to" go out for a spin!!!!! (once did a 120 mile round trip to Glencoe?)

 

[joolsybools]

Rain is good, I've yet to do the snow thing.

I think you need your ears to be warm, your hands and your tootsies.

 

[Dayvo]

Rain is good, I've yet to do the snow thing.

I think you need your ears to be warm, your hands and your tootsies.

And the rest of your body!

 

[purplepolly]

and keep my hair dry

 

[ufkacbln]

Get a recumbent trike and there is no such thing as "uncycleable" weather!

Snow, rain, ice are no problems, however floods over three feet need a snorkel!

 

[Tynan]

feet is all I struggle with but that's my feet, spec big toes, I need a proper pair of winter boots with room for proper socks

otherwise it's all good, I suppose long slow journeys are another matter

 

[Trevrev]

Hands and feet........As long as they're warm i am. Hate my legs being covered. But, i found bare legs a bit tough in the snow last winter.

 

[solmisation]

I have started buying bits and pieces of winter cycling gear, gloves, thermal/waterproof tights and a waterproof jacket, hoping to get through the winter without using any other form of transport.

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

You won't need too many warm clothes. Get over the first 5 or so minutes, then you'll be getting nice and warm.
But, as long as my hands are warm i'm ok.......Nice hot blood in me.

Absolutely. I find it best to be feeling slightly cold as I set off: that way I warm up to the right temperature. If I'm comfortable as I leave, I'm gonna be too hot before long.

Rain is good, I've yet to do the snow thing.

I think you need your ears to be warm, your hands and your tootsies.

I had one great day of snow last winter - about 5" of lovely fresh powder during the day to set me up a beautiful trip home. As ever, most had legged it home at lunchtime to spend 4 hours sitting in the gridlock. I left work just after 5 o' clock and the roads had emptied nicely. An MTB with knobblies on meant no hassle with the fresh snow and the ride through the woods in the dark with the snow covered trees all lit up by my lights was magical.

Then it froze overnight and all the slushy grooves made by the motons slithering about turned into little walls of ice on the roads. The bike stayed at home on those days.