Is winter cycling really ok?

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  • Jayme
    Jayme Posts: 48
    If the roads are that bad, I take the bus to work. My wife and I have a car and a motorbike that we share between us. I cycle to work 3 days a week, and take the motorbike the other 2. Icy roads mean neither of those methods of transport are a viable option, and as my wife is a self-employed fitness instructor who travels between between venues means she gets the car and I catch the bus/walk either side of the bus journey.
  • Frank Wilson
    Frank Wilson Posts: 930
    Use common sense.
  • milemuncher1
    milemuncher1 Posts: 1,472
    Alex99 wrote:
    Don't mess with ice. You can he half way through thinking "surely, that's just a damp patch..." and you're on the deck. Not often, but sooner or later. If you have to, then spiked tyres.

    Very true, if you hit a significant patch of ice, you’ll get as far as FUUU.. and you’re down. Studded tyres are a bit overkill, unless your on compacted snow, but if you really need to ride when there’s ice about, then they are confidence inspiring.
  • kayakerchris
    kayakerchris Posts: 361
    I am not sure how many people know what studded tyres are like.
    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/schwalbe-marathon-winter-tyre-raceguard/rp-prod80796?gs=1&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=Chain+Reaction-UK-PLA-PLA-All-DT-SE-Shopping+QLB+Manufacturer+Desktop&utm_medium=base&utm_content=mkwid%7Csz1qVpMrT_dc%7Cpcrid%7C161849680485%7Cpkw%7C%7Cpmt%7C%7Cprd%7C322769UK are proper winter tyres. As a previous poster noted there is a constant noise from them on tarmac until you hit the ice when they go very quiet but you are still gripping. They need about 30% more power (personal opinion) for the same speed but mine go on second week of november and come off the second week of March on the commuter bike.

    If I want a weekend ride and there is any chance of ice I will take the commuter, Genesis fixed gear for 60 miles or so. If temperatures are well above zero with possible rain then I take the good bike with mudguards. May even put studded tyres on the good bike this year.

    Finally if really icy so high risk of idiot car driver sliding into me (seen it happen) then it will be 4 hours on alpe d'huez or Zwift.
    www.hand-surgery.co.uk
    www.dupuytrens.co.uk
  • rollemynot
    rollemynot Posts: 436
    My tu pence

    Corner well... wide in, tight apex wide out
    Brake slow and long prior to any corner
    Keep weight over front, think like a car oversteer is controllable - understeer is pray for the best
    Look for the dry line
    Cold = careful
    Wet = careful
    Wet then cold = be very careful
    Cold then wet = stay at home or find alternative transportation

    Remember I live in Highland Perthshire - and currently its frickin cold, so hopefully I have half a clue
  • itboffin
    itboffin Posts: 20,064
    10 years commuting in all weather I've pretty much broken everything, I'm sooo done with that, just dont go there if you can.
    Rule #5 // Harden The Feck Up.
    Rule #9 // If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass. Period.
    Rule #12 // The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
    Rule #42 // A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
  • surfercyclist
    surfercyclist Posts: 894
    If weather is crap, say rain/ice then simple- take car. Why people insist on cycling in frankly dangerous road conditions is beyond me. People commute to my work along a dark, fast road which has heavy traffic on it including tankers, lorries etc and its madness. Fine on a dry light day but at night in the pouring rain is just stupid. Same applies if it's icy, why take the risk.
  • cycleclinic
    cycleclinic Posts: 6,865
    i ride daily all year round and i dont think i am taking risks surfer cyclist. ride enough in winter and you get experienced in knowing how to do it. last winter was the first on IRC tyres. the grip meant i dont not slip like the previous winter. although i picked my routes more carefully.

    take the car when its cold is the most silly thing i have heard for a while. toughen up it will do you good. spiked tyres are useful but i have to suspect sheet ice before i am willing to use spiked tyres.
    http://www.thecycleclinic.co.uk -wheel building and other stuff.
  • pblakeney
    pblakeney Posts: 27,345
    I think the title should be changed to icy.
    Icy cycling, no for most. Winter cycling, yes for most. I have seen ice in June.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,700
    With a bit of sensible route though I ve had a lot of fun winter cycling. Don't forget that a bit of cross-training can help too though, be that...erm...cross riding or MTB, trail running etc.

    Having said that though I'm having a major crisis of motivation right now... :(
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • milemuncher1
    milemuncher1 Posts: 1,472
    I’m thinking of getting another Trike. Trikes + ice / snow = drift practice.
  • Alex99
    Alex99 Posts: 1,407
    Milemuncher1 wrote:
    I’m thinking of getting another Trike. Trikes + ice / snow = drift practice.

    Nice idea. How about auto-deploying safety wheels for regular bikes? Sideways movement detected, and some wheels pop out. With race bikes easily getting below the 6.8 kg UCI limit, why not start adding some insane features instead of boring bits of lead in the bottom bracket.
  • thistle_
    thistle_ Posts: 7,218
    Milemuncher1 wrote:
    I’m thinking of getting another Trike. Trikes + ice / snow = drift practice.
    That sounds like a good plan :D
  • voodooman
    voodooman Posts: 183
    Winter cycling is fine!

    Loads of layers, and spiked tyres. It's getting close to the point of putting the spiked tyres on and it makes a sound like constantly tearing velcro. I have to say though that I'm impressed with my current commuting tyres (lifeline prime armour thingies) which are cut to ribbons and I cut out another 3 big bits of flint and glass last night. Looking a bit squared off, but have done over 2000 miles since Easter. Hoping to get to December before putting the spikes on.

    One word of advice - bring the spiked tyres into the house for a day to warm up before fitting otherwise it can be complete nightmare to get them on. Yes they're heavy, but it just means your base miles count double!
  • tangled_metal
    tangled_metal Posts: 4,021
    Is winter cycling really OK?

    No! You're going to die! We're doomed!

    Sorry but a little care and you can be safe winter commuting. Doubt I'll ride for leisure in icy weather but commuting on a bus route that gets gritted early on has been OK for me. I've had two spills since winter commuting (5 years plus I think now), both in the same winter. They both resulted in a little bit of bike damage and major denting of pride. I did the b usual jump up quick and look around to see if anyone saw me. Nope. So I got the bike and ready up quickly and carried on.

    Both slips were my fault. Lack of common sense / good judgement. Otherwise known as my own bl00dy fault!
  • Moonbiker
    Moonbiker Posts: 1,706
    frabz-Is-it-safe-425004.jpg
  • tangled_metal
    tangled_metal Posts: 4,021
    You're riding on the roads in the dark, probably early in the morning. Safe is not the word!

    Half asleep drivers who at normal times want you off the roads. In the morning you're SMIDSY fodder in the dark in winter. :wink:
  • surfercyclist
    surfercyclist Posts: 894
    Toughen up. FFS, yes that will really help when splattered by a lorry in the dark in the pissing rain.
  • tangled_metal
    tangled_metal Posts: 4,021
    Kit up, toughen up and give it a go. If you don't like it don't do it.

    Pick your route carefully. If ice is unavoidable then very spiked tyres.

    Rain? Seriously? That really an issue? It's miserable at times I'll grant you but if you're out in it you're a committed commuter. If you don't want to be out in it don't. It's a choice. Personally I'll choose on the day. Some days I'll not feel like it. On those days it's 50:50 whether I go out on the bike. Unless I've not got car privileges then I've no choice. Well, other than taking the bus or train. Which takes the same time door to door for the train but involves a 15 minute walk during which I am likely to get wet through. Bus is at least 20 minutes walk at the end.

    Cycling for me is best in car when raining. TBH I actually like rain. It's best cycling in the rain when you've got no time constraints though. Not the case with commute.
  • homers_double
    homers_double Posts: 8,289
    I rode yesterday and my Garmin showed -3.2 degrees.

    I lived to see another day.
    Advocate of disc brakes.
  • Alex99
    Alex99 Posts: 1,407
    homers double wrote:
    I rode yesterday and my Garmin showed -3.2 degrees.

    I lived to see another day.

    My Garmin reports about 5 deg C under the actual.
  • bompington
    bompington Posts: 7,674
    I commute happily up to and along the Highland Boundary Fault, 20 miles each way, three times a week, right through the winter. This means that from roughly November to June I can at least see snow every time I go out - except, of course, it's dark or the cloud level is down to the grass roots for most of the winter (planning to get away early today, 4:15 if I'm lucky, but it'll be pitch dark). It's a long way from being the coldest part of Scotland but we've had proper sub-zero frosts in August in recent years.

    It doesn't mean I'm stupid, or Wolverine-hard, or that I have supernatural powers of ice avoidance and car repellence.

    What seems to have worked for me so far:
      1. Plan - know the weather forecast. Understand how frost works - this morning it was 1° before I set off but with rain and wind, I knew there would be no frost. On the other hand, on still mornings I've seen frost when local weather stations are reporting 5°. 2. Develop local expertise. After years of commuting I know where the ice is likely to be; which roads will and won't be gritted, even at what time. Frost hollows, tree shade, leaves / mud on road, off camber bends - get to know them all. 3. When it's properly icy, get studded tyres. They grip like magic and give you extra training, what's not to like? 4. Get visible. Of course you get the SMIDSY idiots, but it's a
    lot less likely to happen if you're wearing hi-vis and showing at least 2 bright lights in every direction*.
    5. It is possible to be passably warm - not really comfortable, for sure, but OK - in any weather, you just have to wear the right gear.

    *I've been knocked off twice while commuting in the last 10 years. Both on bright sunny days in summer.
  • tangled_metal
    tangled_metal Posts: 4,021
    Do you carry any extra clothing in case of enforced stops? The p fairy could result in getting very cold, very quickly.

    I don't but I've not had a p fairy visit since marathon pluses. Even the sound of tyres crunching on glass doesn't bother me anymore!
  • bompington
    bompington Posts: 7,674
    Tangled Metal wrote:
    Do you carry any extra clothing in case of enforced stops? The p fairy could result in getting very cold, very quickly.
    That's a good point. I have, once, fixed a puncture in the snow - not nice, and yes, you do get very cold, very quickly.

    But I haven't had a puncture in years (pro 4s in summer, Nokian A10 then Schwalbe studs if icy) so it's not something I worry about too much - hitch/team car is always an option.
  • homers_double
    homers_double Posts: 8,289
    Alex99 wrote:
    homers double wrote:
    I rode yesterday and my Garmin showed -3.2 degrees.

    I lived to see another day.

    My Garmin reports about 5 deg C under the actual.

    It was pretty cold, ice in the gutters etc but no other measurements were taken.
    Advocate of disc brakes.
  • tangled_metal
    tangled_metal Posts: 4,021
    bompington wrote:
    Tangled Metal wrote:
    Do you carry any extra clothing in case of enforced stops? The p fairy could result in getting very cold, very quickly.
    That's a good point. I have, once, fixed a puncture in the snow - not nice, and yes, you do get very cold, very quickly.

    But I haven't had a puncture in years (pro 4s in summer, Nokian A10 then Schwalbe studs if icy) so it's not something I worry about too much - hitch/team car is always an option.
    TBH that's my solution or just walking the bike home. Sitting by the side of the road waiting for a lift seems a good way to get cold quickly. Rather walk to meet the lift. Mind you my route is 7 miles long and the third to a half is close to a canal. If I'm that close to home chances are I'll walk home. It's not a road to stop on and the other half would have the kid in the back. I'd rather keep warm by walking. 3 miles is nothing really.
  • cycleclinic
    cycleclinic Posts: 6,865
    If I spent my life worrying about what might be I would not leave the house. Toughen up is about a state if mind. Winter cycling is as safe as any other time if year. You just use different kit and you ride differently. Like this morning I put my lights on. At night drivers give me more room, I know wtf but it's true.

    A mtb with wide tyres running at 12 psi helps a bit on ice except sheet ice nothing helps there even if you are in a car. I see plenty of cars in a ditch or on there roofs come winter time.
    http://www.thecycleclinic.co.uk -wheel building and other stuff.
  • alex222
    alex222 Posts: 598
    I commute all through the winter (only 1 or 2 days a week as it depends which office I am working from).
    Having come off on ice a couple of years ago, cracking my helmet and requiring stitches above my eye, I have since been a bit more careful.
    So my rule is that if there is a frost on the car window then I wont cycle (as was the case last Friday). Also if the wind is due to gust over 30mph I don't bother either.
    I partly like winter riding as I get to use all that winter kit I've spent money on. Was annoyed recently though when I discovered that mice had eaten two sets of winter gloves that i had stupidly left in the shed for a few months. Gave me the excuse to spend even more money on gloves though.
  • defever
    defever Posts: 171
    Very interesting read, thanks everyone for sharing your advice and experiences.

    This is my first winter serious commuting (14.5miles each way, about 280ft elevation) and I'm learning as I go. I can always take the train if I need to so I have plan B to fall back on.

    Although it hasn't gone cold enough to encounter icey condition, I'm conscious of going around a roundabout, sharp bend, cycling on shared pavement with full of Autumn leaves (so slippery), etc. so I slow right down.

    Let's see how I get on with commuting.

    Happy commuting!
  • kiwimatt
    kiwimatt Posts: 208
    It's a personal choice - but read a few of the broken hip recovery threads in the training and health forum and then decide how 'tough' it's worth you being. Studded tyres or turbo - you'll lose a lot of commuting fitness lying in the hospital

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