Is winter cycling really ok?

PhilipPirrip · December 2017

On a general point, has anyone ever fallen off and wholly and solely fallen square on their lower back where the jacket/jersey pockets are? In the wet and winter you might lose front or rear grip and land on your side but landing square on your back seems improbable unless your doing a wheelie and flip it.

This point of the dangers of carrying precious things in pockets like phones or pumps often comes up but is there any truth in it? It's never bothered me BTW.

redvision · December 2017

PhilipPirrip wrote:

This point of the dangers of carrying precious things in pockets like phones or pumps often comes up but is there any truth in it? It's never bothered me BTW.

I had a big off on a right hand bend (was actually when I hit a patch of ice) a few years ago. I don't remember the crash itself as was out cold but my iPhone which was in the middle of the three rear pockets was smashed to bits.

However, according to the paramedics I had slid off and straight in to a wall on the bend, so this could have smashed it rather than the initial off.

The thing which stops me going out when there is a chance of ice isn't actually previous offs, it's the extra risk of car/ vehicle hitting a patch of ice as it approaches you. There have been so many cases over the last few years and the cyclist always loses.

PhilipPirrip · December 2017

Thanks redvision. Hope you're all okay now.

I certainly don't take as many risks as I did when I was young when I saw snow and ice as an exciting challenge.

redvision · December 2017

Yeah, all good now thanks.

Fwiw I still ride with my phone in my rear pocket.

cycleclinic · December 2017

The thing is though having falls in summer is just as easy as in winter. the causes are different though.

I try not to let weather put me off. If i do then there are not many days left to ride on. Thinking what if a car slides well I ride every days in winter and have yet to encounter that senario. it not about taking risks, I dont but about managing the risks. Not riding at all does not manage the risk it displaces it. Driving when there is ice about is not safer.

Think about the risk logically rather than with fear which I am reading alot of in this thread. how likely is a risk of a fall. Can you plan a route to minimise that risk. Is your tyre choice right for the conditions, it the bike choice right..... there are so many things that can be done to make riding even on snow and ice quite possible and safe.

w00dster · December 2017

I'd agree with CycleClinic, its about managing the risk.
I'll ride my fattie for fun in the winter, but for me its about enjoying the ride. I personally don't enjoy freezing my hands and feet off or a 4 or 5 hour ride in pouring rain and 3 degree's. I also note that I can't actually train outside of night time. I have OK lights, 500 lumens, but I don't really feel safe putting in interval sessions in the dark. I know that's just me, but for some reason when its dark I tend to take very gentle lines and take the pace a lot easier.
If its dry and not too cold, then a crisp winter ride is awesome, the colours of the countryside are really worth the effort to go out and see.

milemuncher1 · December 2017

w00dster wrote:

I'd agree with CycleClinic, its about managing the risk.
I'll ride my fattie for fun in the winter, but for me its about enjoying the ride. I personally don't enjoy freezing my hands and feet off or a 4 or 5 hour ride in pouring rain and 3 degree's. I also note that I can't actually train outside of night time. I have OK lights, 500 lumens, but I don't really feel safe putting in interval sessions in the dark. I know that's just me, but for some reason when its dark I tend to take very gentle lines and take the pace a lot easier.
If its dry and not too cold, then a crisp winter ride is awesome, the colours of the countryside are really worth the effort to go out and see.

So many people don’t see it like that though. I won’t ride in conditions that make it not enjoyable, but there’s no such thing as the wrong conditions, just the wrong kit. The only conditions that I won’t ride in, are pea soup fog. I don’t trust the other road users as far as I can chuck them, if I can’t see them, I assume they can’t see me, so don’t risk it.

milemuncher1 · December 2017

Bordersroadie wrote:

Despite the trolls that suggest otherwise, it is actually possible to love cycling but avoid outdoor riding in bad winter weather.

I've done years of the "HTFU" approach, riding right through Scottish winters in all conditions, employing even studded tyres if necessary, and I took great pride in being the hard man and dedicated year-round roadie.

But having been there and got the tee shirt, several times, I've been liberated this year by the smart trainer revolution.

If your primary aim is exercise and/or training then indoor cycling is for most of us far superior. And in the winter time it saves the hassle of constant bike cleaning, changing inner tubes on a freezing cold dark verge, avoiding flooded sections that may conceal a giant pothole, dicing it with deer and other assorted wildlife, stressing out about whether or not there might still be patches of black ice in the shady bits, playing lottery with drivers blinded by others' headlights......etc etc etc.

So to the OP, yes it can be okay but sometimes it's best to not try to be too macho about it, and realise that it's okay to ride indoors as appropriate.

Good on you for keeping riding in ‘poor conditions’. Then you spoil it by whining about the poor conditions, and stating that “indoor training is far superior”, which is internet B.S. at its best.

milemuncher1 · December 2017

thecycleclinic wrote:

The thing is though having falls in summer is just as easy as in winter. the causes are different though.

I try not to let weather put me off. If i do then there are not many days left to ride on. Thinking what if a car slides well I ride every days in winter and have yet to encounter that senario. it not about taking risks, I dont but about managing the risks. Not riding at all does not manage the risk it displaces it. Driving when there is ice about is not safer.

Think about the risk logically rather than with fear which I am reading alot of in this thread. how likely is a risk of a fall. Can you plan a route to minimise that risk. Is your tyre choice right for the conditions, it the bike choice right..... there are so many things that can be done to make riding even on snow and ice quite possible and safe.

That’s about it. Get the right kit for the conditions, plot a route that minimises risk, and get out there.

imposter2.0 · December 2017

Milemuncher1 wrote:

which is internet B.S. at its best.

Coming from the king of internet BS, that sounds like quite a compliment..

cld531c · December 2017

Imposter wrote:

Milemuncher1 wrote:

which is internet B.S. at its best.

Coming from the king of internet BS, that sounds like quite a compliment..

gimpl · December 2017

thecycleclinic wrote:

The thing is though having falls in summer is just as easy as in winter. the causes are different though.

I try not to let weather put me off. If i do then there are not many days left to ride on. Thinking what if a car slides well I ride every days in winter and have yet to encounter that senario. it not about taking risks, I dont but about managing the risks. Not riding at all does not manage the risk it displaces it. Driving when there is ice about is not safer.

Think about the risk logically rather than with fear which I am reading alot of in this thread. how likely is a risk of a fall. Can you plan a route to minimise that risk. Is your tyre choice right for the conditions, it the bike choice right..... there are so many things that can be done to make riding even on snow and ice quite possible and safe.

In winter on really icy roads actually quite high !

I've read that you're a very experienced rider, much more so than me but if you hit black ice there's a very high chance you're coming off regardless of your experience. Just ask my elbow!

I will ride (on normal tyres) all through winter as often as possible except when there's ice on the roads. I wont invest in studded tyres for the handful of days I can't go out and am relegated to the turbo.

Bordersroadie · December 2017

Milemuncher1 wrote:

Bordersroadie wrote:

Despite the trolls that suggest otherwise, it is actually possible to love cycling but avoid outdoor riding in bad winter weather.

I've done years of the "HTFU" approach, riding right through Scottish winters in all conditions, employing even studded tyres if necessary, and I took great pride in being the hard man and dedicated year-round roadie.

But having been there and got the tee shirt, several times, I've been liberated this year by the smart trainer revolution.

If your primary aim is exercise and/or training then indoor cycling is for most of us far superior. And in the winter time it saves the hassle of constant bike cleaning, changing inner tubes on a freezing cold dark verge, avoiding flooded sections that may conceal a giant pothole, dicing it with deer and other assorted wildlife, stressing out about whether or not there might still be patches of black ice in the shady bits, playing lottery with drivers blinded by others' headlights......etc etc etc.

So to the OP, yes it can be okay but sometimes it's best to not try to be too macho about it, and realise that it's okay to ride indoors as appropriate.

Good on you for keeping riding in ‘poor conditions’. Then you spoil it by whining about the poor conditions, and stating that “indoor training is far superior”, which is internet B.S. at its best.

Haha, no whining here mate. And after a winter of Trainerroad I am guaranteed to improve my TT times next season way more than if I have a winter of trying to get proper quality interval training on the road with the same amount of hours. Like it or not, as I said, for most of us ,especially time crunched cyclists, indoor training on a smart trainer with a proper plan is far far superior.

Each to their own but I'd prefer to get faster not just munch more junk miles if it's okay with you.

chippyk · December 2017

Bordersroadie wrote:

Milemuncher1 wrote:

Bordersroadie wrote:

Despite the trolls that suggest otherwise, it is actually possible to love cycling but avoid outdoor riding in bad winter weather.

I've done years of the "HTFU" approach, riding right through Scottish winters in all conditions, employing even studded tyres if necessary, and I took great pride in being the hard man and dedicated year-round roadie.

But having been there and got the tee shirt, several times, I've been liberated this year by the smart trainer revolution.

If your primary aim is exercise and/or training then indoor cycling is for most of us far superior. And in the winter time it saves the hassle of constant bike cleaning, changing inner tubes on a freezing cold dark verge, avoiding flooded sections that may conceal a giant pothole, dicing it with deer and other assorted wildlife, stressing out about whether or not there might still be patches of black ice in the shady bits, playing lottery with drivers blinded by others' headlights......etc etc etc.

So to the OP, yes it can be okay but sometimes it's best to not try to be too macho about it, and realise that it's okay to ride indoors as appropriate.

Good on you for keeping riding in ‘poor conditions’. Then you spoil it by whining about the poor conditions, and stating that “indoor training is far superior”, which is internet B.S. at its best.

Haha, no whining here mate. And after a winter of Trainerroad I am guaranteed to improve my TT times next season way more than if I have a winter of trying to get proper quality interval training on the road with the same amount of hours. Like it or not, as I said, for most of us ,especially time crunched cyclists, indoor training on a smart trainer with a proper plan is far far superior.

Each to their own but I'd prefer to get faster not just munch more junk miles if it's okay with you.

It may be better training, and certainly safer when there is ice about, but if it’s ice free and given a choice of a TrainerRoad session or a cold ride to the cafe with a group of mates for a bacon butty and a brew, I’m out with my mates. Each to their own but for me there’s far far more to cycling than improving TT times.

simon_masterson · December 2017

Bordersroadie wrote:

Milemuncher1 wrote:

Bordersroadie wrote:

Despite the trolls that suggest otherwise, it is actually possible to love cycling but avoid outdoor riding in bad winter weather.

I've done years of the "HTFU" approach, riding right through Scottish winters in all conditions, employing even studded tyres if necessary, and I took great pride in being the hard man and dedicated year-round roadie.

But having been there and got the tee shirt, several times, I've been liberated this year by the smart trainer revolution.

If your primary aim is exercise and/or training then indoor cycling is for most of us far superior. And in the winter time it saves the hassle of constant bike cleaning, changing inner tubes on a freezing cold dark verge, avoiding flooded sections that may conceal a giant pothole, dicing it with deer and other assorted wildlife, stressing out about whether or not there might still be patches of black ice in the shady bits, playing lottery with drivers blinded by others' headlights......etc etc etc.

So to the OP, yes it can be okay but sometimes it's best to not try to be too macho about it, and realise that it's okay to ride indoors as appropriate.

Good on you for keeping riding in ‘poor conditions’. Then you spoil it by whining about the poor conditions, and stating that “indoor training is far superior”, which is internet B.S. at its best.

Haha, no whining here mate. And after a winter of Trainerroad I am guaranteed to improve my TT times next season way more than if I have a winter of trying to get proper quality interval training on the road with the same amount of hours. Like it or not, as I said, for most of us ,especially time crunched cyclists, indoor training on a smart trainer with a proper plan is far far superior.

Each to their own but I'd prefer to get faster not just munch more junk miles if it's okay with you.

+1. All of my training is for TT, and unless club 10s/25s count, nearly all is indoors.

simon_masterson · December 2017

ChippyK wrote:

Bordersroadie wrote:

Milemuncher1 wrote:

Bordersroadie wrote:

Despite the trolls that suggest otherwise, it is actually possible to love cycling but avoid outdoor riding in bad winter weather.

I've done years of the "HTFU" approach, riding right through Scottish winters in all conditions, employing even studded tyres if necessary, and I took great pride in being the hard man and dedicated year-round roadie.

But having been there and got the tee shirt, several times, I've been liberated this year by the smart trainer revolution.

If your primary aim is exercise and/or training then indoor cycling is for most of us far superior. And in the winter time it saves the hassle of constant bike cleaning, changing inner tubes on a freezing cold dark verge, avoiding flooded sections that may conceal a giant pothole, dicing it with deer and other assorted wildlife, stressing out about whether or not there might still be patches of black ice in the shady bits, playing lottery with drivers blinded by others' headlights......etc etc etc.

So to the OP, yes it can be okay but sometimes it's best to not try to be too macho about it, and realise that it's okay to ride indoors as appropriate.

Good on you for keeping riding in ‘poor conditions’. Then you spoil it by whining about the poor conditions, and stating that “indoor training is far superior”, which is internet B.S. at its best.

Haha, no whining here mate. And after a winter of Trainerroad I am guaranteed to improve my TT times next season way more than if I have a winter of trying to get proper quality interval training on the road with the same amount of hours. Like it or not, as I said, for most of us ,especially time crunched cyclists, indoor training on a smart trainer with a proper plan is far far superior.

Each to their own but I'd prefer to get faster not just munch more junk miles if it's okay with you.

It may be better training, and certainly safer when there is ice about, but if it’s ice free and given a choice of a TrainerRoad session or a cold ride to the cafe with a group of mates for a bacon butty and a brew, I’m out with my mates. Each to their own but for me there’s far far more to cycling than improving TT times.

If you mainly cycle for enjoyment and don’t have a structured programme, the word ‘training’ doesn’t remotely come into it. If on the other hand you do have a structured programme that includes sessions at this time of year, you’ll probably opt for the best way to complete the session.

chippyk · December 2017

Simon Masterson wrote:

ChippyK wrote:

Bordersroadie wrote:

Milemuncher1 wrote:

Bordersroadie wrote:

Despite the trolls that suggest otherwise, it is actually possible to love cycling but avoid outdoor riding in bad winter weather.

I've done years of the "HTFU" approach, riding right through Scottish winters in all conditions, employing even studded tyres if necessary, and I took great pride in being the hard man and dedicated year-round roadie.

But having been there and got the tee shirt, several times, I've been liberated this year by the smart trainer revolution.

If your primary aim is exercise and/or training then indoor cycling is for most of us far superior. And in the winter time it saves the hassle of constant bike cleaning, changing inner tubes on a freezing cold dark verge, avoiding flooded sections that may conceal a giant pothole, dicing it with deer and other assorted wildlife, stressing out about whether or not there might still be patches of black ice in the shady bits, playing lottery with drivers blinded by others' headlights......etc etc etc.

So to the OP, yes it can be okay but sometimes it's best to not try to be too macho about it, and realise that it's okay to ride indoors as appropriate.

Good on you for keeping riding in ‘poor conditions’. Then you spoil it by whining about the poor conditions, and stating that “indoor training is far superior”, which is internet B.S. at its best.

Haha, no whining here mate. And after a winter of Trainerroad I am guaranteed to improve my TT times next season way more than if I have a winter of trying to get proper quality interval training on the road with the same amount of hours. Like it or not, as I said, for most of us ,especially time crunched cyclists, indoor training on a smart trainer with a proper plan is far far superior.

Each to their own but I'd prefer to get faster not just munch more junk miles if it's okay with you.

It may be better training, and certainly safer when there is ice about, but if it’s ice free and given a choice of a TrainerRoad session or a cold ride to the cafe with a group of mates for a bacon butty and a brew, I’m out with my mates. Each to their own but for me there’s far far more to cycling than improving TT times.

If you mainly cycle for enjoyment and don’t have a structured programme, the word ‘training’ doesn’t remotely come into it. If on the other hand you do have a structured programme that includes sessions at this time of year, you’ll probably opt for the best way to complete the session.

Which is why I said each to their own. Even if I’m training for an Ironman, I’ll still do the club run, I might put in a few miles before and after, and I might go with the fastest run until I get dropped, but for me a long Sunday ride is good social time. I’ll do the structured stuff during the other six days.

By the way, on TrainerRoad, which I used last winter, can you move to the next block without doing the 2 hour Sunday sessions?

Bordersroadie · December 2017

@ChippyK, I agree with everything you've said and if I can do the Sunday club runs I enjoy them as a social, far better than the solo misery of turbo training!

I only mentioned the indoor training in response to someone who said that it was BS to say it's a superior training method if you have limited time. I ought to learn to ignore trolls, ha!

On your trainerroad question as far as I understand you can switch around training plans as you wish.

milemuncher1 · December 2017

ChippyK wrote:

Bordersroadie wrote:

Milemuncher1 wrote:

Bordersroadie wrote:

Despite the trolls that suggest otherwise, it is actually possible to love cycling but avoid outdoor riding in bad winter weather.

I've done years of the "HTFU" approach, riding right through Scottish winters in all conditions, employing even studded tyres if necessary, and I took great pride in being the hard man and dedicated year-round roadie.

But having been there and got the tee shirt, several times, I've been liberated this year by the smart trainer revolution.

If your primary aim is exercise and/or training then indoor cycling is for most of us far superior. And in the winter time it saves the hassle of constant bike cleaning, changing inner tubes on a freezing cold dark verge, avoiding flooded sections that may conceal a giant pothole, dicing it with deer and other assorted wildlife, stressing out about whether or not there might still be patches of black ice in the shady bits, playing lottery with drivers blinded by others' headlights......etc etc etc.

So to the OP, yes it can be okay but sometimes it's best to not try to be too macho about it, and realise that it's okay to ride indoors as appropriate.

Good on you for keeping riding in ‘poor conditions’. Then you spoil it by whining about the poor conditions, and stating that “indoor training is far superior”, which is internet B.S. at its best.

Haha, no whining here mate. And after a winter of Trainerroad I am guaranteed to improve my TT times next season way more than if I have a winter of trying to get proper quality interval training on the road with the same amount of hours. Like it or not, as I said, for most of us ,especially time crunched cyclists, indoor training on a smart trainer with a proper plan is far far superior.

Each to their own but I'd prefer to get faster not just munch more junk miles if it's okay with you.

It may be better training, and certainly safer when there is ice about, but if it’s ice free and given a choice of a TrainerRoad session or a cold ride to the cafe with a group of mates for a bacon butty and a brew, I’m out with my mates. Each to their own but for me there’s far far more to cycling than improving TT times.

Quite.

milemuncher1 · December 2017

Bordersroadie wrote:

@ChippyK, I agree with everything you've said and if I can do the Sunday club runs I enjoy them as a social, far better than the solo misery of turbo training!

I only mentioned the indoor training in response to someone who said that it was BS to say it's a superior training method if you have limited time. I ought to learn to ignore trolls, ha!

On your trainerroad question as far as I understand you can switch around training plans as you wish.

You also might want to learn the meaning of “internet troll”.

imposter2.0 · December 2017

Milemuncher1 wrote:

You also might want to learn the meaning of “internet troll”.

I'm certain this is some sort of parody account. The irony is just hilarious. Well done to whoever is behind it...

cycleclinic · December 2017

On ice I will ride with spiked tyres though I have yet to find sheet ice though last winter. Thus winter so far no ice. If I lived somewhere where ice was common I would be using spiked mtb tyres all the time. I miminise the risk. Why is it on here people see black and white only.

keezx · December 2017

Global warming makes winter riding ever better.
The last 3 years I haven't had to cancel a single planned outdoor training in the winter.

itboffin · December 2017

Ice here all week last week, today mind you was that slimey packed mud we seem to do so well in the west country, descending almost as slow as climbing today.

back to the turbo for me

jgsi · December 2017

The lack of moderation in the last few months has allowed the trolls to infest and multiply.

lvquestpaddler · December 2017

Living in Kincraig in the Highlands I'm struggling to get out at all of late, and after Wednesday it's set to plummet again. And having nothing but unlit country all around and temperatures that are regularly hovering at freezing and below (it will be like this for the next 5 months- spring is May onwards) going out at night during the week only happens if it's raining and not icy, just gotta watch for badgers, deer etc, and layered up and reflectives and lights everywhere...it's a miserable experience tbh!
I've actually converted the man-cave to a semi-gym (cos the nearest one is a 15 mile round trip and £30 a month!) with the road bike on a turbo and picked up a cross trainer on the local FB buy swap and sell page, just stick on the fan, some advert free internet dance station through the stereo and a green/red laser light show and hey presto- a psytrance technogym.... run with a HRM and app on the phone and it's actually better than being outside, or in some naff gym with rubbish exercise bikes.
(I am however giving serious thought to some Schwalbe Ice Spikers on CRC....I can hack the cold but like others don't want an unnecessary injury on ice having suffered a dislocated shoulder earlier in the year kayaking, it means at least at the weekend I may get out for a decent 2-3 hr jaunt on the MTB).

Hard to believe 5 weeks ago I was cycling in minimal kit on Tenerife.... there's the answer, living somewhere else ha ha!!

milemuncher1 · December 2017

thecycleclinic wrote:

Why is it on here people see black and white only.

Because it’s an Internet forum.

milemuncher1 · December 2017

lvquestpaddler wrote:

Living in Kincraig in the Highlands I'm struggling to get out at all of late, and after Wednesday it's set to plummet again. And having nothing but unlit country all around and temperatures that are regularly hovering at freezing and below (it will be like this for the next 5 months- spring is May onwards) going out at night during the week only happens if it's raining and not icy, just gotta watch for badgers, deer etc, and layered up and reflectives and lights everywhere...it's a miserable experience tbh!
I've actually converted the man-cave to a semi-gym (cos the nearest one is a 15 mile round trip and £30 a month!) with the road bike on a turbo and picked up a cross trainer on the local FB buy swap and sell page, just stick on the fan, some advert free internet dance station through the stereo and a green/red laser light show and hey presto- a psytrance technogym.... run with a HRM and app on the phone and it's actually better than being outside, or in some naff gym with rubbish exercise bikes.
(I am however giving serious thought to some Schwalbe Ice Spikers on CRC....I can hack the cold but like others don't want an unnecessary injury on ice having suffered a dislocated shoulder earlier in the year kayaking, it means at least at the weekend I may get out for a decent 2-3 hr jaunt on the MTB).

Hard to believe 5 weeks ago I was cycling in minimal kit on Tenerife.... there's the answer, living somewhere else ha ha!!

That’s the attitude. I don’t live in a harsh area of the world ( weather wise ) if there is a bit of snow and ice, it doesn’t tend to be for more than a couple of days at a time, and there are other things I can do, than ride a bike / Trike / quad, if I really can’t find a suitable road to ride on ( treated to get rid of ice / snow ). I absolutely refuse to use a stationary bike of any description, unless it’s for purposes of setting a bike up, after a major maintenance job or two.

webboo · December 2017

I would have thought with your cadence, you would be stationary most of the time. :?

milemuncher1 · December 2017

Keezx wrote:

Global warming makes winter riding ever better.
The last 3 years I haven't had to cancel a single planned outdoor training in the winter.

You’re right there, the last absolute bastid of a winter, that I recall causing me any concern, was about 5 years ago. Admittedly I’m a soft Southerner, but even I draw the line at pea soup fog, and several inches of snow.

Is winter cycling really ok?

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