Winter Riding

Simon Brooke said:

OK, riding on urban roads in winter is grim. Riding on urban roads in winter in the dark is
grimmer.

I have noticed that in the evenings there is far less traffic than during the day. I drive home
arrving by about 17:30, get out on the bike by 18:45 and the traffic has dropped off noticably. On
my return leg at about 20:00 the roads are almost deserted. I enjoy winter night riding more than
winter day riding.

Take back the streets Take back the night.

--
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"Just zis Guy, you know?" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Winter riding is less pleasant than summer riding, but you get the occasional fantastic clear
morning which makes you feel glad to be alive, and the cold really isn't that bad if you
dress for it.

A cold, dry morning is an absolute delight. In British conditions we almost never get to the point
where sheer cold itself is a problem. Cold and wet OTOH is a different matter.

Quoted message said:

On the plus side you get to laugh at the cagers playing Critical Mass, and you feel real kinship
with the few other hardy souls you'll meet on your daily rides.

And the secret you share with them is that you don't really have to be that hardy.

--
Dave...

"Tony W" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Personally, I cycle in shorts unless it is really cold -- but I'm weird!! Most prefer
roubaix tights.

You rarely see roadies in shorts in the winter, but you do seem to see a lot of mountain bikers in
them. They come from different traditions I suppose. The roadie received wisdom is that the cold can
do serious damage to unprotected knees without the rider feeling any pain or discomfort at the time.
Whether this is actually true or just cycling folklore I have no idea. However, I think the tough
guys in shorts should at least be aware that this idea exists. A bit like h*lm*ts really: make
yourself aware of the issues then make your own mind up.

--
Dave...

Peter Clinch said:

Arthur Clune wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

How about some commuting/utility trips? Get a trailer to do the shopping?

Quoted message said:

Yes. I will be smiling as I ride back from Comet tomorrow with my new Fridge (taking the old one
to the dump I was greeted with "The lads'll no believe me if I tell them a boy turned up with a
fridge on a pushbike!" followed by a lengthy blether about the wonders of bikes).

I normally do the recycling run by bike. Take the kids as well to get them some fresh air
and exercise.

Last time I went to the dump it was by car as I has a hedge to get rid of. Three loads on a trailer
that used to be a caravan (thats a good bit of recycling). It would have been about 100 miles by
bike when all the trips are added up.

Before you go on about recycling it, the dump has a very nice segregated rubbish collection.
Earth/Rubble, green, wood (no MDF or chipboard), general burnable, and metal. It also has the usual
glass bins, alu cans, cardboard, paper, and two sorts of plastic bottle skip (one for milk bottles,
one for lemonade type). There are separate bits for engine oil, vegetable oil, batteries, clothes
and fluorescent tubes.

..d

Peter Clinch said:

Yes. I will be smiling as I ride back from Comet tomorrow with my new Fridge (taking the old one
to the dump I was greeted with "The lads'll no believe me if I tell them a boy turned up with a
fridge on a pushbike!" followed by a lengthy blether about the wonders of bikes).

There's a book in there somewhere - "Round Dundee with a Fridge" ;-)

Tony

Peter Clinch said:

Simon Brooke wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

OK, riding on urban roads in winter is grim. Riding on urban roads in winter in the dark is
grimmer.

Quoted message said:

I don't find it as bad as people make out. Bit like riding in typical drizzle: just get on with it
and it really isn't anything to moan about once you're out doing it. The reality isn't a problem,
just the anticipation of it.

Aw c'm on. Dundee is hardly urban for more than a few hundred metres. And even then the traffic is
nice and polite (barring the risk of dooring as you pass all the cagers parked on the double yellows
outside the Victor chippy).

I'm looking out the window now and it is blue skies, a reasonable breath of wind and hardly
any traffic.

..d

MSeries said:

I enjoy winter night riding more than winter day riding.

Me too, especially a clear frosty night or when you are alone in the capsule created by your lights
in the surrounding darkness.

Tony

"Dave Kahn" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Tony W" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Personally, I cycle in shorts unless it is really cold -- but I'm

weird!!

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Most prefer roubaix tights.

You rarely see roadies in shorts in the winter, but you do seem to see a lot of mountain bikers in
them. They come from different traditions I suppose. The roadie received wisdom is that the cold
can do serious damage to unprotected knees without the rider feeling any pain or discomfort at the
time. Whether this is actually true or just cycling folklore I have no idea.

My knees definitely hurt if I ride in shorts when it's too cold. (Noticed one september when I'd
only been commuting in cycling gear for a few months, so didn't know when it was sensible to put
longs on. Knees started hurting over a few days, then cured after I started wearing legs.)

cheers, clive

Dave Kahn said:

Quoted message said:

Personally, I cycle in shorts unless it is really cold -- but I'm

weird!!

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Most prefer roubaix tights.

You rarely see roadies in shorts in the winter, but you do seem to see a lot of mountain bikers in
them. They come from different traditions I suppose. The roadie received wisdom is that the cold
can do serious damage to unprotected knees without the rider feeling any pain or discomfort at the
time. Whether this is actually true or just cycling folklore I have no idea. However, I think the
tough guys in shorts should at least be aware that this idea exists. A bit like h*lm*ts really:
make yourself aware of the issues then make your own mind up.

My leg muscles don't seem to work too well if they get cold. Particularly when mountain biking. If
I'm doing a long technical descent which doesn't involve much pedalling. When I get to the bottom my
thigh muscles seem really stiff and reluctant to get going again. Hence if there's the slightest
chance that it's going to be cold I always wear leggings. On the road it doesn't seem to matter that
much since you rarely seem to stop pedalling on a higher geared road bike.

--
Alex BMW R1150GS DIAABTCOD#3 MSWF#4 UKRMFBC#6 Ibw#35 BOB#8 team-ukrm.co.ukteam-ukrm.co.ukOpen ↗ Windy's
"little soldier"

"Dave Kahn" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Personally, I cycle in shorts unless it is really cold -- but I'm

weird!!

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Most prefer roubaix tights.

You rarely see roadies in shorts in the winter, but you do seem to see a lot of mountain bikers in
them. They come from different traditions I suppose. The roadie received wisdom is that the cold
can do serious damage to unprotected knees without the rider feeling any pain or discomfort at the
time. Whether this is actually true or just cycling folklore I have no idea. However, I think the
tough guys in shorts should at least be aware that this idea exists. A bit like h*lm*ts really:
make yourself aware of the issues then make your own mind up.

As I said -- I'm weird. I simply do not like cycling with things round my knees so bare kneed it is.
Yes, there are tales of knee problems when cycling in the cold. Frankly, my cycling is generally
nice and relaxed. I give myself enough time to warm up at the start of a ride and do some simple
stretches after the ride so, though the surface layer is cold, the working parts are well supplied
with blood and perfectly comfortable. knocking firmly on some wood, I have not had any serious knee
problems so far.

My average speed drops in the winter -- though I presume wet roads and poor grip; reduced winter
mileage so reduced fitness and dark evenings and reduced visibility (plus the extra weight of all
the pre Xmas mince pies & booze) are much more significant than any reduction in 'engine efficiency'
due to cold knees.

Since I went to school in the late fifties & sixties when small boys wore short trousers until a
fairly advanced age and were required to partake in various cold and barbaric sports in inadequate
clothing it may be that I was hardened to such things at a young age.

T

David Martin said:

Peter Clinch said:

I don't find it as bad as people make out. Bit like riding in typical drizzle: just get on with
it and it really isn't anything to moan about once you're out doing it. The reality isn't a
problem, just the anticipation of it.

Aw c'm on. Dundee is hardly urban for more than a few hundred metres. And even then the traffic is
nice and polite (barring the risk of dooring as

you

Quoted message said:

pass all the cagers parked on the double yellows outside the Victor

chippy).

Quoted message said:

*boggle*

You *are* joking aren't you? All my memories of the place are on the depressive side of grim. My
father was from Monifieth and my mum still lives in St Andrews. Jeez, going over the Tay bridge was
like entering something from Metropolis. Grey days, grey concrete, dour grimy scottish terraced
houses clinging determinedly to the steep hill sides. Bleuch!

Mind you I guess my views are a trifle coloured since both my grandmother and father ended their
days in Ninewells and were smoked in the cemetery up on the hill. Ho hum.

There, that's my cheery little post for the year done, over and out the way with. ;-)

Nice countryside though. :o)

--
Alex BMW R1150GS DIAABTCOD#3 MSWF#4 UKRMFBC#6 Ibw#35 BOB#8 team-ukrm.co.ukteam-ukrm.co.ukOpen ↗ Windy's
"little soldier"

"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My knees definitely hurt if I ride in shorts when it's too cold. (Noticed one september when I'd
only been commuting in cycling gear for a few

months,

Quoted message said:

so didn't know when it was sensible to put longs on. Knees started hurting over a few days, then
cured after I started wearing legs.)

I heard someone discussing how cold squash courts lead to bad tendons.

I've had this problem, and unless its 25C + and no sign of rain, I don't wear just shorts.

Alex Ferrier wrote:

[Dundee blean]

Quoted message said:

Nice countryside though. :o)

AND it has a railway bridge across the silvery Tay...

--

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On 6/1/04 1:57 pm, in article [email hidden], "Alex

Ferrier said:

Quoted message said:

Aw c'm on. Dundee is hardly urban for more than a few hundred metres. And even then the traffic
is nice and polite (barring the risk of dooring as

you

Quoted message said:

pass all the cagers parked on the double yellows outside the Victor

chippy).

Quoted message said:

*boggle*

Quoted message said:

You *are* joking aren't you? All my memories of the place are on the depressive side of grim. My
father was from Monifieth and my mum still lives in St Andrews. Jeez, going over the Tay bridge
was like entering something from Metropolis. Grey days, grey concrete, dour grimy scottish
terraced houses clinging determinedly to the steep hill sides. Bleuch!

Sunniest city in Scotland. The bit down by the Tay bridge is hardly inspiring with the concrete town
hall and the station, but the rest is not too bad. Lots of grey stone tenements towards the east
side and Monfieth wont win any architectural competitions but I compare it to London where you don't
have time to notice the surroundings cos your too busy trying not to become part of them.

Quoted message said:

Mind you I guess my views are a trifle coloured since both my grandmother and father ended their
days in Ninewells and were smoked in the cemetery up on the hill. Ho hum.

We moved here from Norway so find it nice with the long winter days ;-)

Quoted message said:

Nice countryside though. :o)

and very close. In ten minutes I am well out of the city and thoroughly enjoying myself.

..d

Alex Ferrier said:

You *are* joking aren't you? All my memories of the place are on the depressive side of grim. My
father was from Monifieth and my mum still lives in St Andrews. Jeez, going over the Tay bridge
was like entering something from Metropolis. Grey days, grey concrete, dour grimy scottish
terraced houses clinging determinedly to the steep hill sides. Bleuch!

I've been here since '89 and it's improved year on year as a place to live with more to do in a
nicer environment. The "grey days" isn't really fair: they certainly happen, but less than other
Scottish cities if you check out the sunshine and rainfall records. There's rather less grey
concrete than there used to be and the tenements are characteristic of al Scottish cities so if you
don't like them here, you won't like them in Aberdeen, Embra or Glasgow either.

Quoted message said:

Nice countryside though. :o)

And only a few minutes away. It took a fair while getting into open countryside from my Edinburgh
flat in Marchmont.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden]
dundee.ac.uk~pjclinchOpen ↗

"Alex Ferrier" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Mind you I guess my views are a trifle coloured since both my grandmother and father ended their
days in Ninewells and were smoked in the cemetery up on the hill. Ho hum.

I've also heard it mentioned on the news a couple of times for unpleasant things. I forget one, but
the other was the "bat rabies"

W K said:

I've also heard it mentioned on the news a couple of times for unpleasant things. I forget one,
but the other was the "bat rabies"

Yes, we had the UK's only case in lord knows how long in this very hospital! But he got bitten out
in Angus IIRC, in that nice countryside we all seem to be quite keen on...

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden]
dundee.ac.uk~pjclinchOpen ↗

W K said:

"Alex Ferrier" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Mind you I guess my views are a trifle coloured since both my grandmother and father ended their
days in Ninewells and were smoked in the cemetery up on the hill. Ho hum.

Quoted message said:

I've also heard it mentioned on the news a couple of times for unpleasant things. I forget one,
but the other was the "bat rabies"

Couple of horrific murders over the last few years, bat rabies where one researcher died, rush hour
increased to an average length of ten minutes.

..d

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Tony W
"Dave Kahn" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

As I said -- I'm weird. I simply do not like cycling with things round my knees so bare kneed it is.

T

Until you can cycle no more that is.

You must be the only person in the world to whom the keep limbs/joints warm in winter doesn't apply. :-)

Arthur Clune said:

It occurs to be that we'll all given kit tips, but not really talked about motivation.

Please, Sir, I did , Sir.

Guy
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