Gearing up for the winter

[plastic_cyclist]

Okay, so I've been aiming to ride my Giant TCR about 3 times per week circa 25 miles and a biggish ride at the weekend, trying to amass 100 miles/week. the only really window of opportunity for me to get these mid-week rides chalked off and out the way is 6am starts.

It's all okay at the minute as I have the clocks on my side, but once them dreaded clocks go back, then I will find myself in the abyss come 6am.

Does anyone else ride regularly in the early morning darkness ? and the LBS guy said I should retire the Giant to the garage from October through to April - so the Tricross will come back from the dead!

 

[cougie uk]

Just easier using a turbo in the evening.

Once you've put your layers on and checked your lights - you could be half way through a decent turbo workout.

 

[vickster]

Okay, so I've been aiming to ride my Giant TCR about 3 times per week circa 25 miles and a biggish ride at the weekend, trying to amass 100 miles/week. the only really window of opportunity for me to get these mid-week rides chalked off and out the way is 6am starts.

It's all okay at the minute as I have the clocks on my side, but once them dreaded clocks go back, then I will find myself in the abyss come 6am.

Does anyone else ride regularly in the early morning darkness ? and the LBS guy said I should retire the Giant to the garage from October through to April - so the Tricross will come back from the dead!

Why??!! Just get some more resilient tyres than summer racing ones

 

[gavgav]

Not the early morning darkness, but the evening darkness. I used to be very nervous of it, but have grown to enjoy it. Good set of lights and some reflective clothing and you’ll be fine

 

[biggs682]

Early morning rides are great , quiet roads loads of wildlife about .
And as long as you are dressed accordingly and have good lighting enjoy them I do .
Need to decide on what my winter fleet will be this year , so far Dunelt fixed gear , Marin Bear Valley MTB just need another reserve road bike

 

[matticus]

I admit I *really* struggle to set off in the dark just to "go for a ride"; hence my commute is a fitness/sanity saver.

(and I've done plenty of all-night rides, so it's not like I can't do them).

 

[Paulus]

Wrap up in the correct clothing , some decent winter tyres, good lights and some mudguards/crudcatchers to keep the worst of the winter muck away.
You always get bored by endless hours on the turbo if you wish.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

You’ll need to watch out for icy roads at that time. Most local authorities publish their gritting routes online. There are usually primary and secondary routes. So plan routes taking advantage of gritted roads. Otherwise if your bike supports it, go off road in winter. The more porous surface generally means ice or frost is rarely an issue.

 

[si_c]

Mudguards, suitable tyres, lights and warm clothing allow you to ride all year round. The first on that list also means your bike doesn't get too dirty meaning that any wear is minimised and you get less wet, meaning you won't get cold as quickly.

For clothing, warm upper layers, shoe covers, thermal leg covers - either legwarmers or bib tights and an optional waterproof top layer. Also gloves gloves gloves. Until COVID I commuted all year round doing 30 miles a day roughly in all weather.

Keep the tri-cross ready with ice-tyres for when the weather really gets cold.

 

[plastic_cyclist]

Why??!! Just get some more resilient tyres than summer racing ones

He said that the grit/salt would erode the frame and get right into it!??

 

[plastic_cyclist]

So, do some of you guys ditch road bikes totally in winter and jump on an MTB ?

 

[straas]

I get to the point where I prefer riding in the dark, I feel like I'm seen more with a light.

 

[si_c]

He said that the grit/salt would erode the frame and get right into it!??

That's what mudguards are for

 

[straas]

So, do some of you guys ditch road bikes totally in winter and jump on an MTB ?

No - a lot of people have a "summer" bike - generally better groupset, lighter wheels etc.

Then a "winter" bike, with full mudguards, cheaper kit and heavier or disc wheels, generally wider tyres too.

Summer bikes can obviously be ridden in the winter, but replacing the components is more expensive.

 

[si_c]

So, do some of you guys ditch road bikes totally in winter and jump on an MTB ?

Nope, road bike all year round. That being said if I lived somewhere it got icy I'd have a bike on standby with ice tyres - most likely an MTB type bike.