Winter Commuting Questions?

Arequipa

Hi,

I hope you are all keeping well.

I plan to commute along the coast of Dublin's Northside, around the port and up towards Sandyford.

I ride an endurance spec Canyon road bike with 25mm tyres. My current tyres are Lifeline (Wiggle brand) pro armour tyres... Good puncture resistance and kinda grippy.

I am a little concerned of the upcoming winter as I kind of depend on my bike to get to work.

My questions for you are...

1) do you cycle in all Wintery weather or do you just leave the bike at home in certain conditions?

2) do you put more grippy tyres on your bike in Winter?

This particular bike has a max tyre size of 25mm...but I have a second bike that accommodate tyres up to 40mm..

3) any other safety advice for commuting in Winter?

Thanks for reading & I appreciate your advice,

A.

07Lapierre

i ride most days year round.

1. LIGHTS! make sure you have a descent set (and carry backup set)
2. carry two spare tubes
3. if you can, leave spare cycling clothes in work in the event you need a dry set for cycling home.
4. try not to look too smug as you pass motorists stuck in long lines of non-moving traffic!

Paddigol

What Lapierre said!

I run heavy tyres (Schwalbe Durano Plus) on my commuter all year round - more for the crap that gets flung to the side of the road/ bike lanes than for wet conditions. Last thing you want on a cold, dark, wet, windy night/ morning is to be stuck faffing around fixing a puncture.

Allow for extra crap driving skill from motorists - I give myself a bit more braking distance and take the road a bit more where I know there's a risk of stunt-pulling.

Avoid puddles where possible - you never know if you're about to hit the edge of a hidden pot hole (although this applies year-round).

Ditto road paint - slippy as f**k in the wet (also not strictly a winter thing).

If you suffer from cold hands/ feet - prioritise getting decent gloves (I'm a huge fan of Galibier's leather winter gloves).

Prioritise warmth over trying to stay dry - it's the cold that'll kill you! Layers are great for this - warm base layer; breathable long sleeve jersey; good gilet; packable waterproof jacket.

Personally I love commuting in the winter - the fact that the traffic always seems to be worse and motorists (of which I'd otherwise be one) more miserable makes it all the more enjoyable.

Arequipa

Thanks for the reply .. I have a set of lights.. a stronger front light, for when the mornings get really dark..

Good idea on the extra clothes and lights!

Seth Brundle

I'd also advise throwing in a few latex gloves into your bag to help when having to fix a puncture in the cold & wet.

I leave a spare tube and a small pocket toolkit in my desk just in case. I also leave some USB cables in my desk so I can charge stuff (lights, cameras, etc.) if necessary.

Arequipa

Do you guys cycle if the forecast is for frost or even icy stretches?

Icy conditions would probably be a no go for me!

Seth Brundle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121347631#Comment_121347631

Main roads tend to be fine as they'd be gritted but hard shoulders, etc won't really have benefited from this. I'd generally only see frost in my housing estate.

2011abc

Gloves and overshoes are top priorities after being seen .Don’t take risks if a bit icy and take the bus or car if really icy

billyhead

As above estates can be lethal when frost or ice is forecast so walk with the bike to a road that is gritted. Check the Dublin city council website for gritted routes. As mentioned it's all about layers. Get a good winter buff and gloves. Overshoes will keep your feet toasty aswell.

CramCycle

As above, good lights, decent layers, expect people to be stupid and act accordingly.

07Lapierre

Given your route, frost/ice shouldn’t be big factor as that route willl be gritted frequently. At least the roads will be, but not the bike lane from Sutton Cross to Blackrock. So cycle on the road if you can. Lower your tyre pressure too which will give you more grip.

Macy0161

I go Marathon Plus for commuting, but it's purely a commuter (they suck the joy out of weekend spins). Not grippy, but if you're aware of that you can adjust.

Wet days are the best days imo, passing lines and lines of cars. Just be more aware that these are also the days frustrated drivers pull more dick moves into bus lanes (and even grade separated cycle lanes which I had on one occasion!).

triggermortis

When I commuted I used Durano plus tyres and found them great. If you definitely want to avoid punctures you can get solid tyres (Tannus).

Ref lights, I always had 2 on the rear in case one failed as you wouldn't notice until you got off the bike, but I was riding a lot of country roads with no street lighting

Arequipa

Yea, the coastal cycle path can be completely frosted over...

I cycled along it before.. on the straight was fine.. I just took corners verrrry slowly and carefully...

I find dark, winter mornings,when it is raining heavily, can be quite dangerous...

If you are driving, the wipers are going.. there is a reflection and glare on the roads from the street lighting....I think it is definitely more risky for us commuters....

saccades

A wee dab of Vaseline for your lips.

Colonel Panic

Mudguards, if you don't have them already.

Arequipa

Hi mate! Yes I have a rear mudguard...

Saves a lot of spashes over your clothing...

So much debris,gravel, leaves etc on the roads and bike paths now!

MyDarkArts

Skull-cap that fits under your lid is a nice addition.

Londonirish72

Oh - and this works for the summer as well, but wear a peaked cap under your cycling helmet and this will help keep rain out of your eyes/glasses.

tomasrojo

I like mudflaps (not just mudguards) on bikes that don't have a chain case. Keeps your feet drier, keeps schmutz/salt off your chain. Front mudflap is all you need, but I pull trailers sometimes, so I have front and rear.

ipodrocker

jumping in on the thread any recommendations on lights within a reasonable budget.

fiacha

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121607031#Comment_121607031

What is a reasonable budget for you ?

Are they lights to help people see you better or do you also need to light up the road ahead of you ? Are you using lit roads or country lanes etc .

All info people will need to give you informed advice.

ipodrocker

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121607070#Comment_121607070

i would need a mix, but mainly cycling on road lit roads.

Maybe 100euro for front and back, but flexible in the budget if recommendations push it out a bit.

Seth Brundle

As per @fiacha's post, are you looking for front and/or rear lights?

If front lights, do you want to see the road ahead in the dark or are you wanting lights for others to see you?

07Lapierre

Garmin RTL515 rear and Garmin UT800 front.

I use these and i like the fact they link in with your Garmin unit.

Only down side is battery life. if your commute is over an hour, you will have to recharge the front light for your commute home.

fiacha

I have a pair from Ravemen which I have been happy with.

I mostly use them in daylight flashing mode, but the front light has been fine on lit roads at night. The light itself is very good, just not sure which lumen model you would be best for more night riding. Can't fault the rear light at all.

https://shop.ravemen.com/products/CR600

https://shop.ravemen.com/products/TR100

Ordered direct from Ravemen. All taxes included in price.

Seth Brundle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121607634#Comment_121607634

I've a CR500 (your one goes one* higher!) and it is a great light.

I recently got the Ravemen FR160 and whilst it doesn't light the road up, it is bright enough for drivers (who are not looking at their phone) to see you. Plus it is very discreetly mounted under my Garmin unit.

* one hundred!

2011abc

Just to pop back into this thread . I can recall few more existential crises in life than realising you’re too far out in the ice and can hardly move ….and it’s getting colder and darker .4 wheels make far more sense in slippy conditions than two .Having said that can remember a few cracking spins in moderate to heavy snow when you’d be going nearly as fast ( or faster !) than the traffic ! A certain kind of snow and the right zen frame of mind ( and desire to get home asap ) can see you hardly slow at all .But a nasty frost can see you almost paralysed with fear at zero kmh / mph .Glad not to be a bike commuter anymore in fairness !

I remember particularly bad Sundays when road spins would be converted to impromptu cyclo cross spins in central reservation grass of N4 between Palmerstown and Lucan ( this is pre 2000!)

On a side note I have a pair of Schwalbe Marathon going to waste in the shed if anybody wants to add an extra kilo to their bikes weight in the name of puncture resistance and moderate nasty weather grip .PM me , make me an offer before moderator deletes this or buys them :-)

vintcerf

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121607587#Comment_121607587

do you have the Garmin UT800 on solid or flashing? mine lasts 20+ hours on day flash and it's about a year old.

07Lapierre

I ride on unlit roads, it’s on Solid.

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121384507#Comment_121384507

Recently got flaps on my mudguards, absolute gamechanger, bike and feet are spotless

Paddigol

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121611700#Comment_121611700

What combo did you go with, out of interest?

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121617354#Comment_121617354

Came with the new bike : https://www.kinesisbikes.co.uk/Catalogue/Components/Guards/FEND-OFF

I have SKS raceblades on my racier bikes, and they help but the flaps make a big difference

Paddigol

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121620311#Comment_121620311

Yeah, I've the raceblades too. I was looking at a UK company last year that make proper mudflaps compatible with the SKS raceblades. Must see if I can find them again.

EDIT: Wait!!! What am I like?! You're clearly saying I need a new bike. Makes sense as the obvious solution...

Plastik

https://rawmudflap.uk/sizes/

These would suit. I've some from "buddy flaps", seems like they're no longer around https://thelazyrando.wordpress.com/2012/05/03/buddy-flaps-review/

bilbot79

I got 25mm Continental Gp5000 All Season. Both fast and grippy and good deals on Bergfreunde

07Lapierre

Toptip: if buying shoes, wear some ski socks to the shop and buy shoes that are bit wider that you wear in summer. This allows you to wear ski socks without restricting blood flow to your toes! Really helps keep your feet warm especially on days like today.

Gerry

I'm going with 2 pairs of socks tomorrow

ardcat

Winter Commuting

Waterproof backpack or small pannier on traffic side. Dry clothes and everything else is essential.

Bring weeks change of office clothing on a Monday and home on a Friday.

2 sets of rear lights, 1 on the bike and the other on helmet. Drivers frequently can’t see your bike lights as they are hidden by other traffic. Bright rear on bike pointed at road behind you not directly at driver. Road is lit up particularly in the wet

Reflective band on ankle or on overshoes gives a constantly changing reflection to drivers.

Tyres Schwalbe Marathon or Pirelli Cinturarto Velo TLR for tubeless. Pirellis are particularly bullet proof and not as draggy as the Marathons. Muc Off sealant 60ml in each tyre.

Fixed wheel (with brakes) when you are confident enough to ride it. Less sliding on wet surfaces. Cheap bike if it gets nicked.

Kinesis Fendoff mudguards.

Dont ride east until ice is off the windscreen 20 minutes. Don’t ride West or South until later in the day.

Winter boots are luxury compared to overshoes. Your feet will be warm and dry almost every day. Not the case with overshoes. You’ll get years out of a pair of winter boots. I still have a road (Gaerne) and MTB (Specialized) pair both over 10 yaers old and still perfect.

13 years commuting from Leixlip to South Docks. Retired now.

Paddigol

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121632220#Comment_121632220

Do you not find that the rain/ wet still finds its way into you feet with winter boots? I have fizik's road winter boots and found that water still got when seeping down bib tights to socks/ feet in bad weather. That said, they are extremely cosy and will keep feet warm on even the coldest day in Ireland. Which is my No. 1 priority, ahead of staying dry. Can't remember if the cleats also let water through in the usual fashion or if the winter boot versions have a way of stopping that.

AndrewJRenko

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121632220#Comment_121632220

A alternative option to bringing clothes in and out is just to keep your work clothes at work, and send them out for laundry or dry cleaning from there. You'll need access to a locker and maybe a coat stand for shirts on hangers. I have more shirts in work than at home.

CantGetNoSleep

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121632903#Comment_121632903

Try a set of these.

https://www.gripgrab.com/products/cyclingaiter-shoe-cover-cuffs

Eiregt

I commend anyone who commutes daily by bike, it's tough going to maintain year round.

I tried doing a 35km commute each way for a while after moving house. I lasted a few weeks at it but the thing that broke me was the fact that there was only one road, the N17 into Galway, and most of the year the prevailing wind is from the SW. So basically a block headwind every morning of about 20kph+ a lot of the time.

I found I was digging myself deeper into a hole through the week, being on the road by 5.30am and trying to get in for a 7am start and was wiped out by dinner time, nevermind the next morning.

It started to erode any love I had for riding my bike, especially with the shorter days as all of my mileage was in the dark and by the weekend I didn't even want to look at the bike.

My bike setup didn't really change from my other bikes.

• Alu Giant TCX with full length mudguards and 25mm Schwalbe Pro One setup tubeless.
• Two back lights for visibility.
• 1 or 2 Panniers depending on the day (Ortlieb quick racks are cool too if you've only one bike that you enjoy using on the weekend but don't want to be lugging it around all the time).
• Proviz pannier cover.
• Proviz gilet.
• Fizik R5 Tempo shoes that were of a similar reflective material as the Proviz stuff.
• Garmin Varia RTL515 with a second Lezyne strip150 rear light as backup.
• Ravemen PR1600 is a very good front light, has high and low beam. The low beam has a cut lens with about 800 lumens but very good visibility, the high beam enables the second spot light on the front for a wider spread of light in darker conditions. Often didn't need to full but left it on pulse for visibility. The battery could usually do a few days but I'd charge it every day or two just to be sure.
• I also carried a second CR700 front light as a backup in the bag.
• Carry a good selection of tools with some tubes and latex/vinyl glove to keep clean. The latex gloves are also handy if it's really wet and cold to put under regular cycling gloves for added warmth

Paddigol

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121634161#Comment_121634161

Had something similar - thin rubber yokes. Found they tore quite easily. Does the water still not just soak through the bib tights down to the ankles and ultimately socks?? i.e. not so much a case of rain running down tights/ legs (which those gaiters would prevent) but pure sponge-like soakage?

Happy to be wrong!

Plastik

Yep, like that, found the gripgrap gaitors fairly useless with winter boots tbh. Next on my list of expensive commute paraphernalia is probably some spatz overshoes.

I generally only use winter boots in cold and reasonably dry conditions. If it's heavy rain I'd much prefer to be with a good overshoe.

beggars_bush

Fair play to anyone commuting by bike this week.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121636214#Comment_121636214

Wiped out on Monday so that put a stop to it for myself 😅

Gerry

lots of good advice on this thread, I'd propose it be stickied?

had a good long think about commuting today, went for it in the end but it was crazy cold. apart from freezing feet the legs were cold and didnt work. I've been determined to commute right through winter this year and its been rewarding, probably more a mental strength test than physical. hoping it reduces the usual dip in fitness over the winter. So far evidence is that it has.

ipodrocker

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121626076#Comment_121626076

brilliant tip!

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121636214#Comment_121636214

Every day, it has been, testing. Struggling to get the clothing right as I am actually warm but some days I wear the right amount and other days it is too much but it is too early and too cold to stop so I arrive drenched. Covering about 48km a day. It is certainly more tiring in the cold.

JMcL

All good advice, while I'm commuting less full stop these days I'll throw in my 2c as, until the sky fell in in 2020, I was doing so year round on unlit roads and in all weathers (28km round trip)

Tires: I've never used Marathons or Duranos but did use Specialized Armadillos back in the day. These were bulletproof, but felt like cycling towing a concrete block and weren't stellar in the wet. I eventually settled on Conti GP 4 Seasons 25mm as a year round tire and rarely had punctures. That said, I doubt I'd have anything like the crud the OP will have on the route they've outlined

Lights: All been said above. I need a new set myself as the Lezyne Power Drive 1100 which was excellent now has a battery (non replaceable of course) that won't charge

Mudgards: OP said they've a rear mudguard, should look at a set of raceblades as a long spin on a wet night gets even more miserable

Peaked cap: As somebody else mentioned above, this is probably one of my top bits of year-round cycling gear. In winter it keeps the head warm, and can help shield your eyes from headlights, in summer, it wicks away the worst of the sweat that invariably ran into my eyes and helps shade your eyes from the sun.

Rack and panniers: Well worth it if you can - easier to carry stuff and you don't end up with a sweaty back from a backpack