Do work think you are mad cycling in this weather?

[johnnyh]

since I work for myself, and I know I am mad, I haven't a leg to stand on

that said I have started using my bike to get around to clients, about a 20 mile radius, and I have received a varied reception but mainly a very positive one.

 

[fossyant]

I use it to commute between sites - my first expenses went in for 90 odd bike miles - raised a few eye brows when I submitted it to my boss at the start of an accountant's meeting....... totally legit, and saves my organisation money on bus or mileage.....

I even only claim the official mileage between the sites - I actually go a slightly longer, but faster and less traffic route....

Would love to see the person trying to code it for payment....bet they've not had many bike business miles.

 

[Losidan]

I don't think they think that I'm any madder - they think I'm mad to be cycling in, full stop. Now it's dark and cold, they just seem to focus on dark and cold, rather than the distance, or the getting sweaty, or the "dangerousness"...

Which is a shame, actually. I'd got used to people being horrified over the distance and had developed a standard conversation:
Them: "You cycle in?!"
Me: "Yes, but only a couple of times a week at the moment"
Them: "Where from?"
Me: "[Next town up the road a bit]"
Them (looking horrified): "How far is that?"
Me (in a wonderfully self-deprecating tone): "Oh, it's not that far, just over ten miles each way".
Them: <sputter>

absolutely love having that conversation! I ride on a lunch time currently instead of commuting due to circumstances. Still get the odd quizicale look and I am certain sniggers behind my back...for my part though I am the guy laughing, even in this weather. Nowt better than 30-40 mins in the saddle to take the stress away from a shitty morning at work

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

The weather's not great here today: raining a fair bit at the moment and predicted to get a whole bunch worse later, accompanied by strong winds .. so it should be an "interesting" ride home.

Still, I only got a bit damp and at least I wasn't sitting in the over-a-mile-long-in-both-lanes queue on the bypass this morning; even though the bridleway that runs parallel to it which I use is a coupla dozen yards away I could still almost smell the stress. was me all the way down.

Downside was the surrounding smaller roads which I also use were much busier and the extra people were all off their heads on stress and adrenaline as they tried to fight their way round the holdup.

 

[summerdays]

I think I was mad - totally totally soaked (and I can report that my new Sealskin gloves - those very expensive ones do let in rain eventually). It wasn't too windy - just very wet - that continuous stuff that seeps in through any gap eventually.

 

[HelenD123]

I get paid 20p a mile.

Get a few quid a month.

We can also claim 20p a mile, but up to a maximum of something like 5 miles a day. One of my colleagues cycled 8 miles to a meeting on the other side of the Humber Bridge saving £5.40 in bridge toll but there was still no leeway.

 

[Sittingduck]

The ride home was grim Today - dark, wet, windy! Looks like I picked a good weekend to change from 35mm to 28mm tyres... pretty un-nerving ride

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I just rode about a mile to and from my local ASDA. Took a back route and twice cycled through puddles deeper than the pedals. My brakes are crap in teh wet at the best of times. Still all good fun

The ride home was grim Today - dark, wet, windy! Looks like I picked a good weekend to change from 35mm to 28mm tyres... pretty un-nerving ride

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

Last night wasn't as bad as I'd expected .. last Thursday was worse. It wasn't good, but it wasn't as bad as all that. Still, the ground in the little track leading into the woods proper on the way home has obviously had enough rain: it was one huge mud-soup puddle. Bizarrely, the woods themselves are not as bad.

Still, nice big tailwind on the way in today ..

 

[k turner]

Newbie here. Sold my car in June and got a bike. Do you still ride in the ice? I would prefer that to walking it is just so much easier. I have sorted out the gloves problem and so still enjoying my riding.

I always have too many layers on and sweat like mad, glasses always steam up when I get in or go in the shops. Would never get a car again now kids are grown and left home. Just dont need one.

This will be my first winter.

PS I am finding the strong winds hard.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I NEVER cycle in ice. Even when I drove Ice scared me so on two wheels, no way. As for layers, thin thermal wear is the way to go. The glasses steaming up is something I have not found a solution to, neither is watery eyes caused by a blast of icy air.

 

[palinurus]

If it's likely to be icy I stick to the routes that get gritted and get plenty traffic. It's not so pleasant but it beats getting the bus.

 

[k turner]

So I can go on gritted roads?

 

[4F]

If it's likely to be icy I stick to the routes that get gritted and get plenty traffic. It's not so pleasant but it beats getting the bus.

Hmm I have 7 miles before I get to the roads that are gritted

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

So I can go on gritted roads?

Should be OK.

I've never done ice on two wheels, but can imagine it. If you slide in a car (or a trike !), you've got at least some chance of getting it back or if you can't get it back under control you'll just keep sliding until you hit the kerb or a wall or something.

On two wheels, you'll just fall off.