Do you commute by bike in bad weather?

Mr Benevolent

I'm about to start cycling 10km to work - I ride an electric bike so it's not such a big deal but I do have electrics that can get wet and short out the throttle. I was going to start tomorrow but the weather is going to be appalling for the whole day.

So if you commute to work by bike, do you usually cycle if it's raining or just use the car or bus?

seamus

Cycle, all weathers.

Actually that's not entirely true. I did avoid it one day this year when there was forecasts for 100km/h winds and heavy rain or something. I avoided it then from a safety perspective, not because of the rain.

Mr Benevolent

seamus wrote: »

Cycle, all weathers.

Actually that's not entirely true. I did avoid it one day this year when there was forecasts for 100km/h winds and heavy rain or something. I avoided it then from a safety perspective, not because of the rain.

Tomorrow's going to be the same.

Beasty

Certainly cycled in gusts approaching 100kph, and sustained winds of 50+kph. Only time I don't commute because of weather is when there is ice about (and that's only really since I brole my wrist as a result of a fall on ice)

Beasty

Confab wrote: »

Tomorrow's going to be the same.

Strava time:D

seamus

Confab wrote: »

Tomorrow's going to be the same.

Nah, tomorrow will be grand. High winds, but nothing crazy. I am not cycling tomorrow for an entirely different reason, honest.

Lumen

seamus wrote: »

I did avoid it one day this year when there was forecasts for 100km/h winds and heavy rain or something. I avoided it then from a safety perspective, not because of the rain.

It's never 100kph at ground level, unless you're up a mountain somewhere.

The worst headwind I ever cycled into was a couple of weeks ago over some bleak hill in Donegal. I was doing 11kph on the flat. Calculator says the headwind was actually about 45-50kph.

If there was actually a 100kph headwind at ground level you'd only be able to do about 4kph.

Tonyandthewhale

I would try to avoid cycling in dangerously high winds if I didn't have to but I'd still cycle to work to work as I have no other way of getting there.

Rain has never been an issue. I used to be afraid of ice and snow but now I just break out the mountain bike and if it gets really bad, I use ice-tyres as well.

The weather in this country is rarely extreme enough to be an impediment to any reasonably committed individual doing anything even reasonably reasonable.

bogmanfan

I'm a wuss, and only cycle to work when it's dry. Not a fan of arriving at work soaking wet.

NeedMoreGears

Generally I'll commute in most weathers unless I feel it might be dangerous. Dangerous for me means either high winds (particulary cross winds) or ice. This year I have only missed two days due to winds - thankfully very little ice on the east coast so far.

RacoonQueen

If it's 'very' windy I sometimes leave the bike at home and soon regret it, always regret it when I'm standing at the bus stop on my way home.

Getting wet is a pain alright but I have all my work clothes in work anyway so just get changed. Bit nervous on wet roads at the moment after a crash a few weeks ago but sure I'll get over it.

Sometimes I don't cycle out of pure laziness, but I've to get up earlier now when I'm not cycling so that doesn't really work anymore...

jaqian

Cycle all weather, if you were to wait for the good weather you'd never get any cycling done. Put your phone in a plastic sandwich bag keeps it nice and dry. Double bag it to be safe.

buffalo

Always. Like RacoonQueen, there's an odd day when I decide not to use the bike, and I usually end up standing at the bus stop for 20mins thinking, "I'd be pretty much home by now".

irishmotorist

Wind will rarely stop me, but ice will.

Cheese Princess

I don't cycle when it's raining because I can't dry my hair in work and would look a mess all day - sad but true.

Seweryn

Confab wrote: »

So if you commute to work by bike, do you usually cycle if it's raining or just use the car or bus?

I commute in all weather. It would make no sense to me to just do it in fine weather, as there is very little of it. I also ditched my car, so there is no excuse anyway and my route is over 26km each way. On 10km cycle I probably would never get properly wet, unless the rain is very heavy.

davidsatelle100

Always thats why i have two bikes one for the normal weather (road bike) and one for the frosty mornings (big tank with 2 inch tyres)

Only a really bad dump of snow\ice would stop me

...or going for pints after work

barry181091

I do always! But I find the most difficult thing is balancing the keeping dry(Rain paints/jacket etc) vs being roasted balance :P

Gavin

All weather. I like cycling in the rain (as long as I can get changed at my destination).

Gavin

barry181091 wrote: »

I do always! But I find the most difficult thing is balancing the keeping dry(Rain paints/jacket etc) vs being roasted balance :P

Don't bother to keep dry is the key! You're waterproof, just get wet, wear light clothes which dry out quickly and it's not a problem.

2406r

There is no such thing as bad weather, there may however be incidents of inappropriate clothing

Cyclepath

All weathers bar ice and snow. The only thing you need is a water proof bag for your change of clothes (and somewhere to dry your wet cycling gear!).

You mentioned shorting out the throttle of your electric bike though?! I don't think rain should do that - they're designed to be used in weather, no?

Mr Benevolent

Cyclepath wrote: »

You mentioned shorting out the throttle of your electric bike though?! I don't think rain should do that - they're designed to be used in weather, no?

I converted the bike using a kit so there are wires hanging out here and there - I'm trying to waterproof them but it's early days yet.

Hmmzis

2406r wrote: »

There is no such thing as bad weather, there may however be incidents of inappropriate clothing

+1

Might also be applicable to tyres. 23mm slicks won't be much use on a sheet of ice but 2" knoblies or spikeys should do the trick.

cdaly_

Lumen wrote: »

If there was actually a 100kph headwind at ground level you'd only be able to do about 4kph.

Net speed 104kph. Powerful man...

Lumen

cdaly_ wrote: »

Net speed 104kph. Powerful man...

Doesn't work like that.

Although the force is related to airspeed, the power required to overcome a headwind also depends on road speed.

nbar12

bogmanfan wrote: »

I'm a wuss, and only cycle to work when it's dry. Not a fan of arriving at work soaking wet.

so you cycle to work approximately 10 times a year?

steve_r

Before I moved, I used to cycle regardless of the weather. Now I walk to work regardless of the weather.

Good quality rain gear is a must.

I'd agree with most of what was said, the weather isn't really extreme enough to stop you cycling.

That said, for people who need to dress formally in work its not always practical. I used to shower and get changed before heading in, but not everyone has that option.

Lusk Doyle

Lumen wrote: »

cdaly_ wrote: »

Net speed 104kph. Powerful man...

Doesn't work like that.

Although the force is related to airspeed, the power required to overcome a headwind also depends on road speed.

Wait, wait, wait just a minute! Roads can move?

BostonB

Confab wrote: »

...So if you commute to work by bike, do you usually cycle if it's raining or just use the car or bus?

Unless its very icy or windy, I'd cycle. In the rain I just get wet and change at work.

I'm more likely not to cycle if I'm running late or have something else to do enroute.

Bonita810

I agree, ther in no excuse for cycling!

BostonB

Or I'm injured....

monkeypants

I use the same rule that I use for running; if it's dry when I leave the house then I'm running/cycling and whatever happens after that, I'm generally okay with.

SerialComplaint

So, I'm quite looking forward to tomorrow;

http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0814/weather.html

bogmanfan

Actually it doesnt rain that often at 6am. Usually only have to take one day off a fortnight or so. Although this summer has been rubbish. Cycled to work more often in February than I did in July.

nbar12 wrote: »

bogmanfan wrote: »

I'm a wuss, and only cycle to work when it's dry. Not a fan of arriving at work soaking wet.

so you cycle to work approximately 10 times a year?

Lawrence1895

I use the bike in every wind and weather...or as Granny used to say 'There is no such thing as bad weather, there is only bad clothing'

wolfeye

I cycle 11km each way to and from work all year round.
I've cycled in winds that were so strong it would blow you across the road.
Also winds that blew so hard that it was like you were pedalling and going no where and you just felt like stopping and walking.
But it sure is good fun when a gale force wind is on your back.

Also cycled in hail showers that the hail stones would nearly tear the side of your face off and leave your ears stinging.


The rain i can live with.

The toughest cycling i had were the two winters we had the snow.
Cycling on compact snow with tyre ruts frozen into furrows on the road verges,patches of road with sheets of ice ,that one could not even walk on let alone cycle.
These patches of ice would thaw slighly around midday making it super extra slippy,were lethal.

Snow blizzards blowing in my eyes and face and breathing in that extra cold air when the temperature was well into the minus.

All was good fun,just an extra challege for my journey.

But for me the wind on your face on a straight road is the toughest.

Jawgap

Ice - no

Wind - yes, but I leave earlier

Rain - yes. I tend to focus on keeping warm rather than fighting an impossible-to-win battle of keeping dry.

njburke

I don't mind the rain on the 15KM each way commute, shower at work and my hair drys in no time(one of the many advantages of male pattern baldness).

We'll see what the winter brings, apart from the weather, the dark evenings on the roads have their own risks.

Mr Benevolent

Well, I cycled into work for the first time today from Baldoyle to Santry (9.5km). It was easier than I imagined, especially with the motor helping me along. Nearly got wiped out in a bus lane, some fool in a grey Laguna estate swept into the lane at high speed. Arrived humid but not too sweaty, happy days!

triggermortis

I cycle to work every day whatever the weather, but I have showers and a locker full of work clothes which makes it all easier

StaggerLee

Confab wrote: »

Well, I cycled into work for the first time today from Baldoyle to Santry (9.5km). It was easier than I imagined, especially with the motor helping me along. Nearly got wiped out in a bus lane, some fool in a grey Laguna estate swept into the lane at high speed. Arrived humid but not too sweaty, happy days!

Well done...! The return trip could be a bit soggy mind. I gave it a miss today, took the car. I tend to avoid cycling if heavy rain is forcast, although, it rarely turns out as bad as Met Eireann say it will. The winter seems to be drier than summer these days. I dont cycle on the dark and wet winter mornings and evenings, gives drivers to much of an excuse to clip you.

Seweryn

StaggerLee wrote: »

I dont cycle on the dark and wet winter mornings and evenings, gives drivers to much of an excuse to clip you.

Yeah, drivers are still the winners, as they own the roads.

I cycled in as usual today. The morning was windy, but not too wet and it was really warm. The evening trip may be more challenging though...

mossym

Seweryn wrote: »

really warm. The evening trip may be more challenging though...

if you get what's hitting munster at the moment it won't be pleasant, very heavy rain

bbolger

Beasty wrote: »

Strava time:D

I'll be looking out for some KOM's from you later today...

Qualitymark

I cycle in dry weather, and in ordinary rain, but when it's really lashing down (or has been) I don't like it, because the roads get slippy, for bikes and for cars.

Cyclepath

I cycled in this morning - no problems though the stretch from UCD to Newtownpark ave wasn't helped by the south easterly blowing in my face. Still only added about 4 mins onto the journey though.

With my luck, the wind direction will have reversed by 5.30pm...

Wishbone Ash

I commute probably 80% of the time. I avoid it in heavy frost and when I am required to go to a meeting elsewhere during the day. Sometimes when I am on nights I am also on call and have to cover the north county Dublin area.Iif an incident arises, I don't think my boss would be impressed if I hopped on the bike to go to Naul/Garristown etc.

I don't understand the obsession with keeping dry. My skin is waterproof and my shorts and jersey will be wet with sweat anyway. In my experience wet gear makes me wetter.

Qualitymark wrote: »

I cycle in dry weather, and in ordinary rain, but when it's really lashing down (or has been) I don't like it, because the roads get slippy, for bikes and for cars.

In my experience roads seem to be greasier and have less grip on a damp day. When it lashing down grip seems to improve.

Seaswimmer

Cyclepath wrote: »

I cycled in this morning - no problems though the stretch from UCD to Newtownpark ave wasn't helped by the south easterly blowing in my face. Still only added about 4 mins onto the journey though.

With my luck, the wind direction will have reversed by 5.30pm...

Well it is forecast to shift south westerly later so you will probably get it in the face going home as well.

Bonita810

The forecast is not so kind for cyclists, especially in the West of country:(

rich.d.berry

bogmanfan wrote: »

I'm a wuss, and only cycle to work when it's dry. Not a fan of arriving at work soaking wet.

I arrive to work wet anyway, whether it's raining or not. Even after having a shower I'm still dabbing sweat from my brow for at least half an hour after I arrive. I always push the pace. I cannot go slow, it just doesn't feel right.