Are you cycling through winter?
Are you cycling through winter?
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Discussion

raf_gti

Original Poster:

4,253 posts

235 months

Wednesday 5th October 2011
quotequote all
Back when I was younger I thought of nothing of cycling in any old weather, in fact the nastier the better, especially on my MTB.

However, these days I'm far more fair weather, certainly when the salt starts to get laid down I'll be wrapping up my road bike for the winter.

So c'mon, lets hear your winter plans that will no doubt shame me into manning the funk up!

okgo

42,111 posts

227 months

Wednesday 5th October 2011
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Currently doing 23 miles per day, and will be doing that all winter.

Potentially could be doing 40 miles per day and I would do that every day too, with the right kit it really isn't an issue I don't think.

With regards to longer stuff at the weekend, I will be doing that too as normal, unless its very cold and icy in which case I will be avoiding the steep downhills on the surrey lanes.

I don't intend to stop over the winter, I've shifted 2 stone since Jan and will not be putting any of it back on, so carrying on is a must for me.

Rob_T

1,916 posts

280 months

Wednesday 5th October 2011
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road bike is def staying in the garage for winter, however have just bought a cross bike for my 7.5 mile road and offroad commute, so will be using that as a weekend winter trainer as well.i intend to cycle to work every day through the winter. also have mtb which is def coming out every weekend. the muddier the better!!!

Gren

2,030 posts

281 months

Wednesday 5th October 2011
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Agree on the MTB comments. It's been worrying coming home this week not covered in mud. Something is missing...

anonymous-user

83 months

Wednesday 5th October 2011
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Only ride at weekends (rollers in the week) so will switch to the MTB stuff at the end of October, and baring any lovely crisp but not icy Late Feb/Early March mornings will probably be back on the road bike mid late March.

The Walrus

1,857 posts

234 months

Wednesday 5th October 2011
quotequote all
20 odd miles a day and still doing a mix of MTB riding and road at the weekends depending on my mood.

The only thing I struggle with is my feet and fingers going numb after an hour.

Sheets Tabuer

21,398 posts

244 months

Wednesday 5th October 2011
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Yes, I'm getting obsessed by endomondo hehe

DrMekon

2,493 posts

245 months

Wednesday 5th October 2011
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Going to keep up my 29km each way commute. May even get some snow tyres, as I'm aiming for 15000km this year, and am currently just shy of 12000 atm, so need to keep at it.

mph999

2,769 posts

249 months

Wednesday 5th October 2011
quotequote all
I'm cycling to sports clubs a couple of times a week, as well as to the shops on occasion. As I keep my bike inside the flat, I 'm not intending to get it wet/ soaked but don't mind the cold too much - as I'll get some proper gear.

M

Uriel

3,244 posts

280 months

Wednesday 5th October 2011
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I'm working from home every other week and have vowed to not drive once. So that's 30 miles/day to get to work and back and then when I'm working from home it'll be 60-90 minutes on the rollers every day Mon-Fri. At the weekend I'll still be looking to get at least one ~120 mile ride in. Road bike if weather permits, MTB when it doesn't, though maybe drop the mileage if I'm on the MTB.

We'll see how the resolve holds once the cold really hits.


P-Jay

11,402 posts

220 months

Wednesday 5th October 2011
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I'm MTB only, but my mates and I don't have an 'off season'. Snow's OK, but mutli-cm deep ice is a nightmare I wouldn't like to face again - did a lap of White's Level last -year when it could be described more as a 'rink' than a 'trail'.

I rarely wear a jacket ether, not a fan of them - but won't leave the house without one of my Howies baselayers when it's grim out.

Raoul Duke

938 posts

192 months

Wednesday 5th October 2011
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Certainly will be, have used the road bike through the depths of the last couple of winters and intend to do the same this year. Already taken off the carbon wheels and will shortly be fitting a set of clip on mudguards. Put on some decent winter gear and remember to keep eyes peeled for ice and you'll be fine - just up the maintenance regime to cope with the crud it picks up. That said my mtb will start to see more and more use at various trail centres when the weather is too filthy - weekend trips to Coedy in the deepest of snow are great fun!
So essentially op, MTFU! smile

mcelliott

10,482 posts

210 months

Wednesday 5th October 2011
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Steady hilly miles all the way through winter with a sprinkling of sportives and turbo sessions, culminating in a week of alpine rides in March smile.

BalhamBadger

1,187 posts

202 months

Wednesday 5th October 2011
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Just atarted commuting to work on my bike and plan to go all through winter. My commute is only 4 miles each way and is mostly offroad so I've no excuse really. Not sure I'll be saying the same in the middle of January though.

Rocksteadyeddie

7,971 posts

256 months

Wednesday 5th October 2011
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Lots of nice steady miles. The right kit is important and gritted teeth for the first couple of miles when it's below 0'c

1878

824 posts

192 months

Wednesday 5th October 2011
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I'll be doing my 5 miles each way commute all through the winter unless it gets too icy to be safe.

At some stage I'll switch from road bike to old Kona Lavadome single-speed to save wear and tear on the nice bike.

I'll still get out on some longer training rides but will pick my moments for them.


Trevelyan

729 posts

218 months

Wednesday 5th October 2011
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I'm hoping to. I've shifted a lot of weight and improved my fitness beyond measure since I started regular cycling early in the year and I don't want to go backwards over winter. It's easier said than done though. I find it hard to motivate myself out in bad weather. My biggest hate is riding when it's very windy - I can't stand riding into a head wind. One of the other problems I have is that I have to keep my MTB in the house so bringing it home covered in mud is a pain.

I plan on giving it a go though. I had a couple of sub-zero rides last winter and quite enjoyed it even without the proper gear. I'm just starting to look around now for a decent pair of gloves, some waterproof h-vis gear and some thermal base layers. Time will tell how long my willpower lasts!

summit7

1,244 posts

258 months

Wednesday 5th October 2011
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Two hours a day unless there is snow/ice.

Smaller gear - don't worry about average speed. Just get out there turning the wheels and wrapped up warm.

aizvara

2,067 posts

196 months

Wednesday 5th October 2011
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I carried on riding my bike through the couple of weeks of cold weather last year; the ice/compacted snow for days was amusing, but I didn't come off. My only real problem was down to rubbish circulation; hands froze to the point that working the brakes and gears became difficult. And the pain in them when I finally got home was immense. Funny thing is, I've been out and about for extended periods in -30C and not suffered anything like as much, and this was only -5C at the lowest; must be the extra wind chill affecting the (relatively) exposed hands.

This year, I'm feeling lazy and the car has got winter wheels ready to go on, so perhaps I'll not bother so often.

andySC

1,385 posts

187 months

Wednesday 5th October 2011
quotequote all
It'll be a mix of MTB & road rides thru the winter. I'll be doing 'Cross races to keep a bit of top end shove. The turbo will be out once/twice a week & we do an hour chaingang ride on a Tuesday under the streetlights + a Saturday chaingang that runs all year. About 10hrs a week generally.