Winter commute

John Griffiths said:

Hi folks,
Sorry to throw a downer on the lovely cycling weather we've been having
recently but....
I've recently starting commting to work by bike and I've enjoyed the
experience so much (numpty white van drivers aside) I want to carry on.
However, the thought of doing it in the winter is a bit daunting. Anyone
have any advice for essential kit that will make it a bit more safe and
comfortable?

Well there is winter and there is Winter. Where are you based? Do you
normally get snow/ice or just cold mucky rain?

What is your commute like? Road/off-road/long/short etc.

...d

David Martin said:

Well there is winter and there is Winter. Where are you based? Do you
normally get snow/ice or just cold mucky rain?

What is your commute like? Road/off-road/long/short etc.

And can you reasonably expect to be in the dark in one or both
directions, and if so for how long?

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

John Griffiths said:

Hi folks,
Sorry to throw a downer on the lovely cycling weather we've been having
recently but....
I've recently starting commting to work by bike and I've enjoyed the
experience so much (numpty white van drivers aside) I want to carry on.
However, the thought of doing it in the winter is a bit daunting. Anyone
have any advice for essential kit that will make it a bit more safe and
comfortable?

Ron Hill Bikesters - long trousers like tracksuit trousers.
Tracksuit bottoms are made out of cotton, and soak the water up.
Bikesters don't soak water up, and dry out rapidly.

Full-finger winter gloves or ski gloves.

Wear a warm hat or skullcap below the helmet if wearing one.

Think about getting contact lenses if you wear specs. You won't get rain
and muck all over your glasses.

Leave a set of clothes in the office.
Nice warm showers for when you arrive.

"John Griffiths" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hi folks,
Sorry to throw a downer on the lovely cycling weather we've been having
recently but....
I've recently starting commting to work by bike and I've enjoyed the
experience so much (numpty white van drivers aside) I want to carry on.
However, the thought of doing it in the winter is a bit daunting. Anyone
have any advice for essential kit that will make it a bit more safe and
comfortable?

Depends on lots of things. How long is the commute? A two or three mile
commute may require little more than a jacket, gloves and lights. Longer
may suggest overshoes and nice warm cycling tights.

Short distance urban cycling may not need much other than a simple set of
lights and some reflective stuff on the bike or you. A stretch of unlit
road will mean more lights and more reflective.

My experience of a short, urban commute is that it is rare to need much
extra clobber. As it gets colder I increase the amount of clothing -- but a
good pullover and a windproof gillet are enough most days well into
December. One day last year I got a soaking on the way home -- horizontal
rain with hard lumps of hail and freezing slushy stuff all at the same time.
Horrible but a 1 in a thousand event -- shouldn't happen again until about
2007 :~) Much cursing and a defrost in the shower once home. Fine for a 2
mile trip -- positively stupid if travelling 10 miles.

I always accept that there may be a few days when the car or the bus look
attractive. I actually enjoy cycling in rain -- but not sitting in wet
things -- so if it is pissing down I may go out for a fun ride but then opt
for the car to commute. I do not do cycling in icy conditions -- the
plonkers round here cannot control their cars well enough!!

T

Tony W said:

My experience of a short, urban commute is that it is rare to need much
extra clobber. As it gets colder I increase the amount of clothing -- but a
good pullover and a windproof gillet are enough most days well into
December. One day last year I got a soaking on the way home -- horizontal
rain with hard lumps of hail and freezing slushy stuff all at the same time.

That'll be october here ;-) It depends where you are and what the
prevailing weather conditions are. Generally a waterproof with good
ventilation is fine, long fingered gloves are good. If the weather is
bad then a change of gear is good, though that depends on
circumstances. I like my Altura winter cruisers.. toasty warm, but
generally commute in normal clothes. In the depths of winter I'll wear
a jumper under the coat on the way home (uphill)

Mudguards are a useful accessory for wet weather.

My coldest commute was at -15C. Studded tyres on the bike and copiuos
layers of extra clothing, ski goggles, no exposed skin. That is a bit
extreme for UK unless you live in Aviemore or Tomintoul.

...d

Tony W said:

I always accept that there may be a few days when the car or the bus look
attractive. I actually enjoy cycling in rain -- but not sitting in wet
things -- so if it is pissing down I may go out for a fun ride but then opt
for the car to commute. I do not do cycling in icy conditions -- the
plonkers round here cannot control their cars well enough!!

When it's icy/slushy/snowy I rather cycle than drive - I know I can't
control my car well enough in those conditions while I know I can handle
my bike. And I don't want to be a plonker myself 🙂

Roos

Quoted message said:

However, the thought of doing it in the winter is a bit daunting.
Anyone have any advice for essential kit that will make it a bit more
safe and comfortable?

Mine's a short urban commute. For that I'd recommend:

Bright front light combined with cheapo flashing front light (one alerts
'em to 'bike', the steady one helps 'em get a fix on your position).
Same on rear.

Mudguards.

Full fingered *windproof* gloves. Not too thick.

Windproof top. Waterproof makes me sweat lots, so windproof + water
resistant is normally best.

Waterproof top for when the rain is getting silly (I'm in Manchester,
it's only meant to drizzle).

Basball cap. Stops rain getting into the eyes (IMHO this is essential
to make cycling in the rain fun).

Ickle scarf type thing to stop the wind going down the front of my neck.

As for warmth I start off c-c-c-cold and after a few minutes I'm nice
and toasty. It's amasing how much you warm up. For most of the
winter I just wear a long sleeved shirt under the windproof.
Alternatively it's no windproof and a few shirts under a thick jumper.

If my commute was longer I'd be wanting a pair of toasty gloves for the
few days that it's _really_ cold, bikesters or similar to make cycling
in rain more comfy for the legs, a hat with a wide brim to stop rain
going down the back of my neck and maybe a balaclava for when it's a
toasty glove day. The thing that keeps me toasty-warm is cycling fast,
so if it were a longer commute I'd probably want something to compensate
for the drop in speed.

Cycling in winter is fun as long as you're properly dressed for it
(being over dressed is as fun-destroying as under dressed). It easily
beats the crowded bus for comfort, and going by car would be easier, but
would mean getitng exercise sometime else or <shudders> eating less.

Mark Thompson said:

Quoted message said:

However, the thought of doing it in the winter is a bit daunting.
Anyone have any advice for essential kit that will make it a bit more
safe and comfortable?

Mine's a short urban commute. For that I'd recommend:

Bright front light combined with cheapo flashing front light (one alerts
'em to 'bike', the steady one helps 'em get a fix on your position).
Same on rear.

Best to have lots of lights..

Quoted message said:

Mudguards.

Full fingered *windproof* gloves. Not too thick.

I have some Altura ones picked up cheap at the York Rally.. Not had to
use them yet.

Quoted message said:

Windproof top. Waterproof makes me sweat lots, so windproof + water
resistant is normally best.

Quoted message said:

Waterproof top for when the rain is getting silly (I'm in Manchester,
it's only meant to drizzle).

That was the summer ;-)

Quoted message said:

Basball cap. Stops rain getting into the eyes (IMHO this is essential
to make cycling in the rain fun).

And clear protective glasses. Nothing spoils riding in the snow like
not having eye protection.

Quoted message said:

As for warmth I start off c-c-c-cold and after a few minutes I'm nice
and toasty. It's amasing how much you warm up. For most of the
winter I just wear a long sleeved shirt under the windproof.
Alternatively it's no windproof and a few shirts under a thick jumper.

Same here and I have a minor hill on my commute (almost the size of
highgate hill)

Quoted message said:

If my commute was longer I'd be wanting a pair of toasty gloves for the
few days that it's _really_ cold,

I find that if they are warm enough for my 30mph run down into work in
the morning then they are warm enough whatever.

Quoted message said:

bikesters or similar to make cycling
in rain more comfy for the legs, a hat with a wide brim to stop rain
going down the back of my neck and maybe a balaclava for when it's a
toasty glove day.

A souwester works wonders for the rain (as does a h*****t with a visor)
but the souwester does tend to lift off and strangle you at speeds over
30mph. Favourite is a lowe mountain cap which also has ear flaps. I
can't find where I put it right now though.

Quoted message said:

The thing that keeps me toasty-warm is cycling fast,
so if it were a longer commute I'd probably want something to compensate
for the drop in speed.

Not really. It won't make a massive amount of difference unless you
have a long hill.

Quoted message said:

Cycling in winter is fun as long as you're properly dressed for it
(being over dressed is as fun-destroying as under dressed). It easily
beats the crowded bus for comfort, and going by car would be easier, but
would mean getitng exercise sometime else or <shudders> eating less.

Absolutely..

...d

John Griffiths said:

Hi folks,
Sorry to throw a downer on the lovely cycling weather we've been having
recently but....
I've recently starting commting to work by bike and I've enjoyed the
experience so much (numpty white van drivers aside) I want to carry on.
However, the thought of doing it in the winter is a bit daunting. Anyone
have any advice for essential kit that will make it a bit more safe and
comfortable?

Mine is a long Urban and country commute of 21 miles each way much of it
on unlit roads. My list:

1) Mud guards
2) SON powered front lights running at 12V. Simply fantastic
<URL:http://blogs.sun.com/roller/page/chrisg?anchor=even_more_impressed_with_my>.
3) A powerful LED front light so I have a fully independent back up if
the above ever let me down (that has not happened yet).
4) 3 rear lights, one flashing light attached to my Sam Browne.
5) Pedal reflectors (so I'm legal, campag profit do have reflectors for
clipless pedals, which work ok if modified
(<URL:http://blogs.sun.com/roller/page/chrisg?anchor=reflecting_with_cable_ties>😉.
6) Full waterproofs, trousers and top, hardly ever wear them but it's
good to know I have them.
7) Waterproof shoe covers, help keep your feet warm even when no rain.
8) Good gloves. One pair for sub zero one pair for 0 - ~12 and then
fingerless gloves beyond that. Choose the right ones in the morning.
9) Shorts and long over trousers when cold.
10) Arm and leg warmers when not too cold.
11) Smug satisfied smile when you arrive home on a cold wet evening.

--
mark
"John Griffiths" wrote ...

Quoted message said:

Hi folks,
Sorry to throw a downer on the lovely cycling weather we've been having
recently but....
I've recently starting commting to work by bike and I've enjoyed the
experience so much (numpty white van drivers aside) I want to carry on.
However, the thought of doing it in the winter is a bit daunting. Anyone
have any advice for essential kit that will make it a bit more safe and
comfortable?
Cheers
John

If you're expecting ice and/or snow then Nokian studded tires/tyres are
excellent.

Blocking the wind from your body and keeping the extremities warm are
crucial. Pearl Izumi makes a thin Lycra skull cap and a Lycra balaclava,
both of which fit under a helmet if you wear one. Helmets are also a good
place to attach blinkie lights and reflector tape, and they just might save
you a little pain in a low speed crash. If the Bell Metro is available in
your area it has a clip to attach a blinkie light at the back, and can be
fitted with ear muffs and plugs for the vent holes (sold by Bell, of course)
to warm things up. Neoprene shoe covers will help keep the toes warm. Buy
them a little loose on your shoes to trap a little air around your feet, and
so the zippers won't wear out as fast. Pearl Izumi Lobster mitts
(two-fingered gloves) are also quite warm.

Cateye makes an excellent line of LED (light emitting diode) headlights and
taillights. Get several taillights, mount them in a few different spots on
the bike. Lights can be clipped to clothing and bags, but it's hard to keep
them aimed properly. LED headlights are generally good for marking your
position to motorists or cycling on well-lit streets, although the
technology is improving. If you can find AA (LR6?) lithium batteries they
last much longer than alkaline batteries, especially in cold weather. There
are rechargeable AA and AAA batteries, but I find recharging batteries to be
a pain, and I ride slowly enough that the battery needs recharging before I
get home.

Schmidt (Wilfried Schmidt Maschinenbau Gmbh) and Shimano both offer hub
dynamos. The Schmidt is a beautifully made, well designed piece of
equipment, and priced accordingly. Shimano now offers two hub dynamos, the
cheaper one is said to be quite adequate for commuting, the more expensive
one is said to be nearly as good as the Schmidt for 1/2 the price (where I
live, anyway). I just ordered the better of the two Shimano hubs along with
a Lumotec headlight, I look forward to trying it.

Reflectors, reflectorized clothing, and reflector tape (from auto supply
stores) are all excellent ways to augment your bicycle lights, but they are
*not* a substitute for lights.

My personal coldest commute ever was -20 deg F (-29deg C), I survived with
no ill effects but I'm in no hurry to set a new record in that field of
endeavor.
HTH,
--
mark

in message <[email hidden]>, Mark

Thompson (') said:

Quoted message said:

However, the thought of doing it in the winter is a bit daunting.
Anyone have any advice for essential kit that will make it a bit more
safe and comfortable?

Mine's a short urban commute. For that I'd recommend:

Bright front light combined with cheapo flashing front light (one
alerts 'em to 'bike', the steady one helps 'em get a fix on your
position). Same on rear.

Mudguards.

Full fingered *windproof* gloves. Not too thick.

Matter of taste. My hands overheat quickly, particularly if I'm wearing
warm stuff everywhere else. I prefer trackmitts in all but the coldest
weather (and even then, if I'm going any distance).

Quoted message said:

Windproof top. Waterproof makes me sweat lots, so windproof + water
resistant is normally best.

Absolutely. A light windproof gilet is a wonderful thing. A windproof
jersey is good, too, of course.

Quoted message said:

Waterproof top for when the rain is getting silly (I'm in Manchester,
it's only meant to drizzle).

Remarkably infrequently needed. But when it is needed, it /is/ needed.

Quoted message said:

Basball cap. Stops rain getting into the eyes (IMHO this is essential
to make cycling in the rain fun).

You could always try (gasp) a cycling cap...

Quoted message said:

Ickle scarf type thing to stop the wind going down the front of my
neck.

It is impossible to sufficiently praise buffs.

I'd also /strongly/ recommend the sort of lycra longs which have fleece
on the inside - often sold as 'roubaix'. Very comfortable and cozy.

--
[email hidden] (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

[ This .sig subject to change without notice ]

Quoted message said:

You could always try (gasp) a cycling cap...

Heh, not when a baseball cap costs me £3 a throw (like sunglasses and
remote controls somehow they get lost very easily.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Ickle scarf type thing to stop the wind going down the front of my
neck.

It is impossible to sufficiently praise buffs.

That's the one :-)

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Full fingered *windproof* gloves. Not too thick.

Matter of taste. My hands overheat quickly, particularly if I'm wearing
warm stuff everywhere else. I prefer trackmitts in all but the coldest
weather (and even then, if I'm going any distance).

It's just my fingers that get cold, so I spent some time finding gloves
that were windproof but not too warm. Ideally I'd have handless gloves or
ickle lycra digit warmers, but finger puppets are the only suitable thing
on the market :-/

John Griffiths said:

I've recently starting commting to work by bike and I've enjoyed the
experience so much (numpty white van drivers aside) I want to carry on.
However, the thought of doing it in the winter is a bit daunting. Anyone
have any advice for essential kit that will make it a bit more safe and
comfortable?

This is what I wear on the very coldest days. It would be too much for
most days:
<URL:http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/colyer_pictures/speedy5/cycling/dressforwinter.html>

The only thing I'd change (if it wasn't so expensive) is the lack of
removable sleeves on the Goretex. If you buy a waterproof then
removable sleeves, or at the very least pit zips, are a must.

Roubaix tights, a Parrot base layer [1], Ronhill bikesters,
water-repellent neoprene overshoes and a windproof gilet (Parrot do a
good one) are all well worth having IMHO.

In autumn and spring I like Sealskinz gloves, in winter I like Pearl
Izumi Lobster Mitts. Some people don't like wearing warm gloves for
cycling, YMMV.

If you wear full finger waterproof gloves then I recommend also wearing
silk inner gloves [2]. The extra warmth is good, but better still is
the fact that the inner gloves can easily be washed every week, so you
can get away with only washing the waterproof gloves once a year.

[1] <URL:http://www.parrot-online.com/>
[2] <URL:http://www.patra.com/>

--
Danny Colyer (the UK company has been laughed out of my reply address)
<URL:http://www.speedy5.freeserve.co.uk/danny/>
"He who dares not offend cannot be honest." - Thomas Paine

I live in West London and do about a 15 mile round trip on main roads which
are rarely bothered by snow.
John

"David Martin" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

John Griffiths said:

Hi folks,
Sorry to throw a downer on the lovely cycling weather we've been having
recently but....
I've recently starting commting to work by bike and I've enjoyed the
experience so much (numpty white van drivers aside) I want to carry on.
However, the thought of doing it in the winter is a bit daunting. Anyone
have any advice for essential kit that will make it a bit more safe and
comfortable?

Well there is winter and there is Winter. Where are you based? Do you
normally get snow/ice or just cold mucky rain?

What is your commute like? Road/off-road/long/short etc.

..d

Simon Brooke said:

Quoted message said:

Mudguards.

Essential - proper ones too, not crud catchers (great on mountain bikes,
rubbish for commuting).

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Waterproof top for when the rain is getting silly (I'm in Manchester,
it's only meant to drizzle).

Remarkably infrequently needed. But when it is needed, it /is/ needed.

But don't forget, when you set out in the morning in the windproof top
it is sure to be p*ssing it down when you come home, so I just use a
breathable waterproof top all the time, if I get too hot I open the
front and pit zips a bit.

Unless it is *really* cold (i.e. sub zero and windy) then the effort of
cycling gets me warm and keeps me warm for the 6 miles I ride to work.
But I am lucky in that there are only a couple of stops at traffic
lights on my route so I don't get a chance to cool down.

Ian

"Peter Clinch" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

David Martin said:

Well there is winter and there is Winter. Where are you based? Do you
normally get snow/ice or just cold mucky rain?

What is your commute like? Road/off-road/long/short etc.

And can you reasonably expect to be in the dark in one or both directions,
and if so for how long?

I'm in work by about 8 and leave about 4/5, so in the winter pretty much the
whole journey will be in darkness.
John

I submit that on or about Wed, 20 Jul 2005 07:42:51 +0000 (UTC), the
person known to the court as "John Griffiths"
<[email hidden]> made a statement
(<[email hidden]> in Your Honour's
bundle) to the following effect:

Quoted message said:

I've recently starting commting to work by bike and I've enjoyed the
experience so much (numpty white van drivers aside) I want to carry on.
However, the thought of doing it in the winter is a bit daunting. Anyone
have any advice for essential kit that will make it a bit more safe and
comfortable?

Obviously Sir will be requiring one of these...
http://www.bikefix.co.uk/sm.html

In addition to Wot They Said, I would say that for a year-round London
commute a hub dynamo lighting system is going to be a strong
contender, backed up by LEDs, along with Schwalbe Marathon tyres,
mudguards, a Buff, lobster claw gloves and a good quality breathable
jacket (I have an Altura one which has lasted well). A Russian army
surplus hat is reportedly an excellent combination ear warmer and
keep-rain-out-of-eyes device.

Or get a Brompton and wimp out :-)

Guy
--
http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk

"To every complex problem there is a solution which is
simple, neat and wrong" - HL Mencken

"John Griffiths" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm in work by about 8 and leave about 4/5, so in the winter pretty much
the whole journey will be in darkness.
John

If you are on unlit roads, lots of good lighting is essential, both to see
where you are going and to be seen by. I have two of the big 5LED Cateye
front lights (on handle bars via Minoura space bar) which give a good beam
so I can see where I'm going, with a S-Sun 3 LED mounted on inner fork to
light the edge of road clearly, a small flashing LED as emergency 'be seen'
only and a helmet-mounted LED torch too.... On the back I have three rear
red LEDs & a red LED on the rear of my helmet.. Then I wear acres of
reflectives and the bike has reflectives on it too. I use the LEDs for the
runtime and brightness. My son, who has a winter commute along dark country
lanes has similar set up and from watching him I can tell this is a very
visible set-up from the point of view of a driver. There's been the odd
occasion he's been late, so I've set out in car to check he's okay and I've
found I can see him well in advance of reaching him :-) I recommend a
helmet-mounted front light as that really seems to have a "What the f**k is
that?" effect on motorists who seem to give me an extra-wide berth and dip
their headlights sooner and more often than without helmet-mounted light.

Cheers, helen s