Why do so many stop riding through the winter

ugo.santalucia

thecycleclinic wrote:

I have gone from driving 30,000 miles a year to driving less than 5000. If i did not race i would sell my car as i find it to be useless, all i get caught up in in traffic jams. I have done this by making choices we can all makes choices. We cant keep on building more road space only to fond it gets filled with ever more cars.

When I lived in Richmond, I wanted to sell our car, but my wife resisted... she grew up in Canada, where if you don't have a car you are basically a homeless bum.

Now in the Midlands I use it a bit more, but again, mainly to drive my wife to places and to go on holiday a couple of times per year... sometimes it stays there unused for a couple of weeks

Last time I drove to work... well, I don't remember to be honest

debeli

I seldom ride in icy or very cold conditions. I am in my fifties now and my last two 'offs' resulted in cracked ribs. This didn't happen when I was younger. And the aches and pains from a fairly innocuous fall seem now to take much longer to stop being uncomfortable.

I was driving west on the A40 in the early hours, on the morning of the fatal crash out near Witney... but some hours before daylight. The road was like a rink in places and even in my weedy Corsa I could feel the steering going light in places. I would not cycle in those conditions, but I did once and I take my hat off to those who still do.

I lived many years ago in Ilidza, outside Sarajevo, and cycled every working day for a year to my job in a base near the airport. I just wanted to see if it was possible. It was, but the risk was silly. Many drivers were unused to sharing the road with bikes and in parts (particularly RS) the snow ploughs were less than effective or rarely used.

Lovely to ride in snow and ice for those who enjoy it.... but I have slowed down and these days it sc ares me rigid.

Live and let live.....

Two of my (adult) kids now work in collection & delivery jobs on bicycles and will be out in the ice and the slidey tarmac.... but they are young. I am not.

Tashman

The state of my fingers yesterday morning after only 15 minutes tells me I need to invest in better gloves but for now means I'll be more choosy

Frank Wilson

The reason I cycle more in the summer is that when I get in from work it is light, for people holding down a full time job daylight is something rarely seen in winter.

Seems to be a lot of willy waving about nothing, if one has the available daylight to get out in winter then just go out and enjoy it without feeling you have to let the rest of the cycling fraternity know how much of a man you are because you can withstand a bit of cold.

I shall be out at the weekend but won't feel the need to share my experiences with the rest of BR.

shortfall

I don't ride much in the winter because I hate the cold and I'm scared of ice, particularly black ice. I live oop North and for anyone south of Watford Gap let me tell you it really is cold up here. Either that or I just feel the cold more than anyone else but there's not a lot of pleasure in Winter riding for me.

SME

redvision wrote:

1964johnr wrote:

Days like today are great for riding.

Depends where you are.
..... What does stop me going out is any risk of ice - had a bad off on black ice a couple of years ago and now I never risk riding if icy patches are possible.

I had an off nearly two weeks ago - both knees grazed, painful shoulder, but the hip bruise and a lump the size of the back of my hand are all still quite prominent.

OK, not the expensive carbon jobbies a lot have here, but my beloved Trek Domane needs some new parts too (just can't bare to see my P&J all scratched up). I did have a built-up Scott S30 (bought the frame and added the parts) which I used as a winter/commuter bike, but it was stolen. So I'm trying to limit the commutes on the Trek.

But, just this evening, I've bought a fold-up mountain bike, so will be back in the saddle soon. As said above, I just don't want to take risks on frosty roads, especially on narrow tyres.

meanredspider

The last time I had an off on ice (on the Marathon Winters) I slid on my ass for what felt like about 4 metres - not a scratch on me it was so icy. The bike ended up with a bent hanger under the front of a car. Not a single driver asked me if I was ok...

the_cyclist_of_catan

At the risk of repetition, it's ice.

I'll take my chances in the piddling rain (though that's often out of a sense of duty being allowed to overrule my common sense and caution), but I will not take a chance on ice.

Yes, you can't all and get away with it. I have done so two or three times. But my last fall has left me with lots of titanium in my leg, and the bolts going into the hip look like massive stress risers. I worry that another tumble into the Tarmac leaves the trauma surgeon with a jigsaw puzzle to try to do; it would likely lead to a THR and another year of little or no cycling. Frankly it's not worth it.

Shame, because today as glorious. But with frost and ice on the road outside my house until well after11, I stayed indoors and dealt with the last of the mince pies. January and February will see me confined to the garage on that evil turbo trainer I fear.

meanredspider

I have to say, though, that Ice Spiker Pros, with the 361 studs or whatever, are magnificent. According to Strava I've done a couple of thousand km on them (and a load more before I discovered Strava) and I've never once had a "moment" let alone an off using them.

Of course, as others have pointed out, other vehicles are a risk, though, TBH, the routes I use I'd worry more about crashing and no-one finding me.

They aren't much good on snow deeper than a couple of inches and, like any nobbly MTB tyre, they're hard work and they are also noisy. But if you must venture out in icy conditions, I can thorough recommend them.

stueys

For me it's ice risk, I've come off on black ice and have had a riding buddy take time out due to a broken hip coming down on ice and hitting the kerb. It's not worth the risk so I sit on the turbo when there's an ice risk or take the mtb out. No ice and I'm more than happy going out in winter, it's just a question of the right clothing.

chippyk

There was so much frost today it looked like it had been snowing. Why take a risk with a fair likelihood of coming off on one ride today that might stop all riding for months?

chrisaonabike

I don't actually stop over the winter, but I do a lot less. Mostly due to less daylight - I can't realistically go out after work after the clocks go back, so although I can occasionally skive off work for an hour, I'm lucky to do that once during a work week.

With only limited time at the weekends, it's all about choices, so sadly I'm not managing more than about 30 miles a week at the moment.

Couldn't stop completely though - if I went back to running it would be back to shin splints, and as for swimming, well fcuk that right off :shock:

ryan_w-2

I commute every(week)day, come rain or shine, however, nothing worse than a wet ride.

My favourite rides are sunny, crisp winter mornings, but if there's ice, it kills the ride for me. Safety above everything!

sebbyp

I ride with a group of older riders one night a week in summer, they are leisure cyclists, 80% of them stop for 6months! when the clocks change. The most dedidated ones I see on Sudays for our long ride, rain or shine.
You wont see me out and about in the week due to lack of daylight, but I'll be in the man cave smashing out intervals. still riding, just not outside.

Ice obviously scares people, Few weeks ago I was with a group I've only just met, most experienced rider went down on ice, the rest crapped themselves and headed for home.

ZMC888

If people can ski and ride snowmobiles, then why can't you ride? OK, so you might need a mountain bike with metal spikes in the tyres, but it's doable and it can be fun. In some places that have a dry climate you can even keep riding a road bike. Personally I've ridden in -20c and only gotten marginal frost-nip.

That said, trying to ride with a bad cold or any kind of flu can be a highway to full-blown pneumonia, which isn't a bag of rainbows, so backing off on the bike at these times is a smart move. I've just quit the Festive 500 due to a nasty flu, but I'm better now.

I hope that otherwise healthy humans aren't put off by a bit of damp and cooler than normal temps, but that doesn't apply to those with virus infections, and that's a pretty common complaint in the winter months, worldwide.

chrisaonabike

ZMC888 wrote:

If people can ski and ride snowmobiles, then why can't you ride?

And in today's lesson, ladies and gents, we discover the meaning of 'non sequitur'.

ugo.santalucia

Today I came off on a patch of black ice on a pedestrian bridge over the M42... no ice anywhere else

There you go, next time I'll pay more attention to the "cyclists dismount" sign... :-)

I then continued on to ride 100 Km...

fenix

ZMC888 wrote:

If people can ski and ride snowmobiles, then why can't you ride? OK, so you might need a mountain bike with metal spikes in the tyres, but it's doable and it can be fun. In some places that have a dry climate you can even keep riding a road bike. Personally I've ridden in -20c and only gotten marginal frost-nip.

That said, trying to ride with a bad cold or any kind of flu can be a highway to full-blown pneumonia, which isn't a bag of rainbows, so backing off on the bike at these times is a smart move. I've just quit the Festive 500 due to a nasty flu, but I'm better now.

I hope that otherwise healthy humans aren't put off by a bit of damp and cooler than normal temps, but that doesn't apply to those with virus infections, anpd that's a pretty common complaint in the winter months, worldwide.

No idea where you live but I'm not buying a bike for ice riding that may or may not be needed. If it is icy I can turbo for a day or two.

And if you're over the flu that hit in tg festive 500 then it wasn't flu. I've only had it once and it wiped me out for two full weeks. You just had a bad cold.

ZMC888

Fenix wrote:

ZMC888 wrote:

If people can ski and ride snowmobiles, then why can't you ride? OK, so you might need a mountain bike with metal spikes in the tyres, but it's doable and it can be fun. In some places that have a dry climate you can even keep riding a road bike. Personally I've ridden in -20c and only gotten marginal frost-nip.

That said, trying to ride with a bad cold or any kind of flu can be a highway to full-blown pneumonia, which isn't a bag of rainbows, so backing off on the bike at these times is a smart move. I've just quit the Festive 500 due to a nasty flu, but I'm better now.

I hope that otherwise healthy humans aren't put off by a bit of damp and cooler than normal temps, but that doesn't apply to those with virus infections, anpd that's a pretty common complaint in the winter months, worldwide.

No idea where you live but I'm not buying a bike for ice riding that may or may not be needed. If it is icy I can turbo for a day or two.

And if you're over the flu that hit in tg festive 500 then it wasn't flu. I've only had it once and it wiped me out for two full weeks. You just had a bad cold.

WTF?
You idiot genuinely believe that your BR forum post count actually equals real world knowledge and experience? You arrogant butt-hole!

The difference between a cold and a flu is having a fever. Essentially they are the same virus. FFS.

chrisaonabike

ZMC888 wrote:

The difference between a cold and a flu is having a fever. Essentially they are the same virus. FFS.

Er, no they are not. Perhaps do a little research?

Are you a flat-earther too?

webboo

Angry man flu then.

ZMC888

DELETE

dodgy

I think we had a similar thread on here a few years ago, but it might have been on Twitter, can't be sure. Anyway, there were quite a few posters going on about "you can still go out in the ice, you just have to be careful and have good bike handling skills" etc etc. Basically, trying to make the ones who had decided that no amount of skill is stopping you going down hard on black ice look like noobs.

Not long after that there were a string of injuries reported, at least around here on Wirral anyway.

So less of the man-up bolleaux, just decide for yourselves

ZMC888

ChrisAOnABike wrote:

ZMC888 wrote:

The difference between a cold and a flu is having a fever. Essentially they are the same virus. FFS.

Er, no they are not. Perhaps do a little research?

Are you a flat-earther too?

Is the flu a cold?
Flu symptoms can be similar to those of a cold, although they tend to be more severe.
Symptoms can include: dry, hacking cough.... had it
moderate-to-high fever.... had it (although not everyone with the flu will run a fever).
sore throat....had it
shaking chills...had them
severe muscle or body aches....only mild but
headache...had it
stuffy and runny nose....obviously.

So it wasn't the flu Sherlock? Been and gone in 4 days. Maybe my immunity, or just the strain. I'm old enough to know the difference.

blueturtle

Three years ago i was on a training run with my club,air temp.was 4 degrees c. no ice on road going approx. 18mph when we hit a patch of black ice . I ended up in hospital with a broken shoulder and broken hip.Came out of hospital with two plates and fourteen screws holding my shoulder together. My hip was also pinned.The outcome was that i have now have restricted movement in my shoulder and avascular necrosis. I still ride during the winter months but not when there is frost on the ground. Like most things in life you take a chance,sometimes you win sometimes you lose.

chrisaonabike

ZMC888 wrote:

(although not everyone with the flu will run a fever).

More post-truth baloney that may be theoretically true in exceedingly rare cases of a sub-clinical infection. :roll:

But in the real world, mostly if you can stand up and walk about for the first four or five days of high temperature, you haven't got flu. Those that actually have had flu know that even getting from the bed to the loo and back is utterly exhausting.

You could do a little research, and actually find out the difference between colds and flu, but I know you won't, because then you'd have to admit you're wrong.

Clue: lots of people die from flu. Colds, not so much.

Happy new year, keyboard warrior.

ZMC888

dodgy wrote:

I think we had a similar thread on here a few years ago, but it might have been on Twitter, can't be sure. Anyway, there were quite a few posters going on about "you can still go out in the ice, you just have to be careful and have good bike handling skills" etc etc. Basically, trying to make the ones who had decided that no amount of skill is stopping you going down hard on black ice look like noobs.

Not long after that there were a string of injuries reported, at least around here on Wirral anyway.

So less of the man-up bolleaux, just decide for yourselves

The 'Wirral' isn't the world.
In some places that are dry as f**k you can happily and safely ride in -20c on road bike with road bike tyres. Done it.
In other places like the Wirral or maybe Scotland that are freeze/thaw all winter then, yes you are risking life and limb. Yet in other places like Devon or Cornwall so long as you keep off the moors and keep a eye on the weather you'll probably be fine.

You just have to take account of where you are, there's no one size fits all cycling weather/road condition suit. Like if I wanted to go cycling in Alaska tomorrow the idea 'no, you can't' is bollox. Sure I'd need arctic condition clothing and probably a fat bike, but it can be done, yet I could happily clock up 300kms a week on Strava. Certainly not on carbon fibre road bike.

ZMC888

ChrisAOnABike wrote:

ZMC888 wrote:

(although not everyone with the flu will run a fever).

More post-truth baloney that may be theoretically true in exceedingly rare cases of a sub-clinical infection. :roll:

But in the real world, mostly if you can stand up and walk about for the first four or five days of high temperature, you haven't got flu. Those that actually have had flu know that even getting from the bed to the loo and back is utterly exhausting.

You could do a little research, and actually find out the difference between colds and flu, but I know you won't, because then you'd have to admit you're wrong.

Clue: lots of people die from flu. Colds, not so much.

Happy new year, keyboard warrior.

You really are the worst kind o arrogant wanker.

NHS website.......

Colds

Symptoms of a cold include:

runny nose – beginning with clear mucus that develops into thicker, green mucus as the cold progresses...yes
blocked nose....yes
sore throat....yes
sneezing...yes
cough..yes


Flu usually comes on much more quickly than a cold, and symptoms include:

sudden fever of 38-40C (100-104F)...yes
muscle aches and pains...yes
sweating...yes
feeling exhausted and needing to lie down...yes
a dry, chesty cough...yes

So I had the flu and got over it in 4-5 days. Sorry that your immune system is shite compared to mine, but there's no need to get all worked up over it.

jgsi

Happy riding

chrisaonabike

ZMC888 wrote:

You really are the worst kind o arrogant rubber.

You really are rather rude and unpleasant.

So I had the flu and got over it in 4-5 days. Sorry that your immune system is shite compared to mine, but there's no need to get all worked up over it.

You're right, of course, I didn't consider the possibility that you may be Superman. This would also account for your relaxed attitude to cycling on ice.

I also wasn't aware, as it happens, that there's a flu virus type C.

However, it's relatively mild, and rare compared with types A and B. Maybe that's what you had. Most people that get flu have it much, much worse than you claim to have, and that's why quite a few of them die.

In any case, I'm only really taking issue with your assertion that colds and flu are the same virus (or essentially the same, as you said, whatever that means). They are not.