Bit nippy outside ... who's still commuting?
Discussion
Have to confess I failed to keep up with my cycle commuting this winter. It always happens - work gets busy and I spend a lot of time out the office as the same time as the nights draw in and the temperatures go down. But last week the council decided to plant the roadworks from hell right outside my front door and there's a mile long traffic jam in either direction. It took me half an hour to clear it last Monday, so I decided enough was enough and dusted the bike off.
Suddenly the horrendously expensive wind-proof jacket I bought last year has come into its own. That, a pair of ski gloves and an extra T-shirt actually keep me at a more comfortable temperature than a T-shirt and shorts do in the summer. I'm still adjusting to the slippery roads and the blast of minus-something air on my face down the hills, though.
So who else still commuting?
Suddenly the horrendously expensive wind-proof jacket I bought last year has come into its own. That, a pair of ski gloves and an extra T-shirt actually keep me at a more comfortable temperature than a T-shirt and shorts do in the summer. I'm still adjusting to the slippery roads and the blast of minus-something air on my face down the hills, though.
So who else still commuting?
Last week I went from the face-warmer to the balaclava to keep the head warm. Hands got cold inside my thick gloves, who's got which decent gloves?
Surprisingly, every morning last week I was expecting it to be frosty and a bit slippery, but no frost even on the cars, although where there had been water sitting in a few places at the side of the road, it was frozen solid.
Will see what it's like on Monday morning, it's got bad here in the last couple of hours.
Surprisingly, every morning last week I was expecting it to be frosty and a bit slippery, but no frost even on the cars, although where there had been water sitting in a few places at the side of the road, it was frozen solid.
Will see what it's like on Monday morning, it's got bad here in the last couple of hours.
swerni said:
I did 30 with winter studded tyres on today.
Studded tyres? Now that is hardcore!My commuting is usually on a hybrid with relatively skinny road tyres on, but I was considering the option of taking my mountain bike (with its knobbly tyres) to work next time snow is forecast. I figure my progress can't be any worse than the people you see spinning their wheels fruitlessly in BMWs and the like. The key difference is I should be able to filter past them or simply get off and push it home if I have to.
swerni said:
I did 30 with winter studded tyres on today
Am hoping it tips down tonight so I can have some fun in the snow tomorrow
Tried to get out on my Ice Spikers early this morning but had to turn back after two miles. The roads were mid point between snow and slush. Tricky for me but terrible for cars and I was at their mercy. Too dangerous!Am hoping it tips down tonight so I can have some fun in the snow tomorrow
I was gutted not to be able to get further out!
Gizmo! said:
Reardy Mister said:
Still Boris-ing from Clerkenwell to Waterloo each day!
If I had that commute its exactly how I'd do it too Love the Boris bikes.
Not as pleasant going the other way. They weigh a tonne and lately (possibly the cold?) Ive been finding quite a few bikes with the brakes binding. Which makes you look a right tit as you get out of the saddle, just to cross Blackfriars bridge!
Yep, 30 mile round trip every day.
In a bit of a quandry now though...it was snowy this morning, but has cleared up throughout the day. Today I prepped the mountian bike, but am now thinking of going back to the track bike. Don't want to get caught having to come home on that in the snow, but don't fancy hauling a massively heavy SS 29er on knobblies about if I can help it.
In a bit of a quandry now though...it was snowy this morning, but has cleared up throughout the day. Today I prepped the mountian bike, but am now thinking of going back to the track bike. Don't want to get caught having to come home on that in the snow, but don't fancy hauling a massively heavy SS 29er on knobblies about if I can help it.
I'll be on it tomorrow. It's no fun on the roads this time of year, so I leave the winter bike for specific training and ride the 29er to work on the back paths and woodland pathing...
The amount of knobs I've seen on the roads driving along having not cleared the ice off their screens recently means I'm happy to stay off the roads where possible during the week
Last week though at -5 meant I took the car
The amount of knobs I've seen on the roads driving along having not cleared the ice off their screens recently means I'm happy to stay off the roads where possible during the week
Last week though at -5 meant I took the car
Last year I cycled into work throughout; not fun when the snow froze on the cycle paths and stayed that way for a couple of weeks.
This year I find that I just can't be arsed with the freezing hands and the constant concentration to avoid slipping on compacted, rutted snow and ice. So I'm driving. I'll be back to it when the snow has gone again. Or perhaps before, if the roads get blocked.
This year I find that I just can't be arsed with the freezing hands and the constant concentration to avoid slipping on compacted, rutted snow and ice. So I'm driving. I'll be back to it when the snow has gone again. Or perhaps before, if the roads get blocked.
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