Winter weather?

glut22

Basically I'm a commuter and and enjoying first winter cycling! so when does it get too dangerous to cycle i.e. icy/black ice, how long does it last? I really dread going back to taking the bus for however many number of weeks

Zorba

glut22 wrote: »

Basically I'm a commuter and and enjoying first winter cycling! so when does it get too dangerous to cycle i.e. icy/black ice, how long does it last? I really dread going back to taking the bus for however many number of weeks

I've only started commuting the last few weeks but I intend to keep it up all winter, basically I plan on looking out the window each morning, no frost means I'll be cycling. If u think back to last winter there wasn't actually that many frosty nights/mornings.

Maybe the more experienced commuters here can back my opinion up or not with some real experience ?

seamus

Play it by ear. There's no reason why you shouldn't be able to keep commuting most days. When it does get icy and frosty, stick to busy roads and stay off cycle lanes/tracks, drop your speed, brake gently and don't make sudden turns. Dismount and walk across icy roundabouts or sharp corners if needs be. Outside of busy areas it's tougher because the roads are quieter so the ice doesn't melt, but you can go hardcore and upgrade to winter tyres with spikes to keep you on the bike.

If we get stupid temperatures like 2010 then you're better off without the bike unless you're willing to go full MTB. If there are any days that I deem it not worth the risk, I drive about halfway in (i.e. as far as I can without hitting silly traffic or paid parking) and then walk the rest of the way. Much better than taking the bloody bus.

Pigeon Reaper

I cycle all year including in snow. Black ice is dangerous but if you suspect it's icy slow down. You'll normally see it coming up as you're not moving as fast as a car so should be able to avoid it. If you suspect you're on ice don't brake and don't steer the bike until you leave the ice. In snow I get out on the mountain bike with chunky tyres.

ROK ON

The long term weather forecasting community are suggesting that winter 2012 will be similar if not colder than 2010.
As an aside, the deer in Killarney national park have been around the roads for many weeks now - this is viewed as an important weather indicator. Deer typically inhabit the highlands in Kerry. As the weather gets colder they travel lower in search of food.

Pigeon Reaper

ROK ON wrote: »

Deer typically inhabit the highlands in Kerry. As the weather gets colder they travel lower in search of food.

Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

Will cycle helmets be needed along with Hi-vis for commuting on them?
Do the deer in the Phoenix park belong in the same race group as those in Kerry?

ROK ON

Deer in Killarney are red deer and can be reasonably large.
In the pheno, the deer are fallow deer and are pretty small.

I would be comfortable on the back of a red deer. Wear a helmet but no hi viz.
If I sat on a fallow deer I would probably squash it.

billyhead

glut22 wrote: »

Basically I'm a commuter and and enjoying first winter cycling! so when does it get too dangerous to cycle i.e. icy/black ice, how long does it last? I really dread going back to taking the bus for however many number of weeks

I would avoid using the bike if there is any black ice on the road or visible ice that is not cleared or melted? Its lethal and no matter how competent you think you are as a cyclist there is always the risk of landing on your arse

ROK ON

billyhead wrote: »

I would avoid using the bike if there is any black ice on the road or visible ice that is not cleared or melted? Its lethal and no matter how competent you think you are as a cyclist there is always the risk of landing on your arse

+1. Though it is less of a risk and closer to a certainty.

Pigeon Reaper

The chances of landing on ones posterior can be greatly reduced by using ice tyres. I used them in Zurich and they work well but are probably overkill for our weather.

el tel

There's a boards Weather forum where all the meteorology peops hang

kenmc

On the plus side, if you do skid on ice you tend to slide along and not come to a sudden abrupt halt as the tarmac tears chunks from your body. Quite fun actually, speaking from experience.
I can't wait for the good weather to come. I've got the MTB all ready to go, just need to put on the ice-spikers and away we go.

"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas winter"

cdaly_

kenmc wrote: »

just need to put on the ice-spikers and away we go.

Speaking of which, has anyone got any spare spikes for these? A pack of 50 is €10 on bike24 but another €10 for delivery. Or any pointers on where to get them cheaper?

ciotog

ROK ON wrote: »

Deer in Killarney are red deer and can be reasonably large.
In the pheno, the deer are fallow deer and are pretty small.

I would be comfortable on the back of a red deer. Wear a helmet but no hi viz.
If I sat on a fallow deer I would probably squash it.

Apologies for continuing OT but "Sorry Deer, I didn't see you"

jimmycrackcorm

I'm thinking full body armour will solve the icy weather issue.

The real problem is black ice mornings where its not clear if it is present. I've also just changed to using clips which might be uncomfortable in slippery situations.

rp

No reason to stop riding, whatever the weather, just have the right kit. Winter 2010 when the snow was bad my commute stretched out to 2.5 hours on a couple of occasions, but those days cars and public transport were taking 5 to 7 hours for similar commutes, if they could travel at all (remember people 'trapped' in their cars on the M50?).
Nothing better than an out of the saddle sprint up a packed snow hill on ice tyres, dodging the cars sliding and fishtailing in all directions!

colm_gti

Just moved home...built up an on-one pompino for commuting...snow similar to 2010 forecast for 2012...only solution is to build up an on-one inbred 29er asap!

I could put cx tyres on the pomp, but why would I do something so sensible when I could built another bike?

Civilian_Target

On the mornings when it's just plain cold, it's usually OK, you can see the ice patches and avoid them. But unless you're planning to get ice tires, I would recommend not taking the bike in the dark when the temperature is going to be below freezing, or if there's snow / slush on the road.

Mycroft H

Lads its worth noting that these forecasts are pure guesswork, and realistically bad guesswork. These are generally made for insurance companies who will pay good money even for bad guesses

Long range forecasts are near impossible to get right even with modern technology. Look up chaos theory and meteorology if your interested. I did a good bit in college and its real interesting stuff.

triggermortis

I'm working and commuting in Zurich and I'll be riding all winter. Had a few days of snow already and I just used the road instead of the cycle path as that was clear of snow.
Using a road bike so no spikes for me. Did have to take the bike inside out of the cold to prevent it freezing solid though

kenmc

BX 19 wrote: »

Lads its worth noting that these forecasts are pure guesswork, and realistically bad guesswork. These are generally made for insurance companies who will pay good money even for bad guesses

Long range forecasts are near impossible to get right even with modern technology. Look up chaos theory and meteorology if your interested. I did a good bit in college and its real interesting stuff.

looks like the ghost of Christmas future has just been visiting scrooge. bah humbug.