Kudos to everyone

[jowwy]

That commutes all year round no matter what the weather..........hate getting up in the darker winter mornings.

But im trying to give it a go at least twice a week during winter.......as long as its dry

 

[Heltor Chasca]

Double kudos to doing the school run too.

 

[Drago]

If I had a job I would. In fact, when I did have a job I cycled all year round. I wouldn't become a HiFi buff but only buy vinyl in the summer, or collect stamps in the spring and autumn only.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I did it for over thirty years, it used to be my favourite part of the day, I only stopped when I retired.

 

[DCLane]

It's OK, honest. I do most days during the winter, unless it's really, really bad. But then I tend to ride in on the 'bad weather' bike. And in snow I've got an MTB with ice spike tyres.

 

[Mo1959]

And in snow I've got an MTB with ice spike tyres.

Thinking about trying these this winter. Not sure I have the confidence to really trust them or not. Do you feel totally safe even on thick, black ice?

 

[Racing roadkill]

I set off at about 05:00 in the morning, on my work commute. There are only a couple of weeks of the year, when it isn’t dark.

 

[mjr]

Thinking about trying these this winter. Not sure I have the confidence to really trust them or not. Do you feel totally safe even on thick, black ice?

Well, I don't feel at any risk of sliding at all, but still not totally safe because of two problems: 1. The risk that the ice may detach from the road surface, especially if you brake hard; 2. Other road users losing it and sliding into me.

There's also the risk of putting your foot down. The tyre may grip on ice, but your shoe won't.

 

[DCLane]

Thinking about trying these this winter. Not sure I have the confidence to really trust them or not. Do you feel totally safe even on thick, black ice?

I've had a slide but never come off. No issues to date over 5-6 bad days.

Earlier this year, when Leeds came to a halt in deep snow, I rode past quite happily on my spikes ...

 

[MichaelW2]

I don't think I could summon up the willpower to go outside and go for a bike ride on a cold, damp, dark winter's morning but as an all-year, all-weather commuter rider I don't need will power, it just becomes a habit. Sometimes I get to work and forget how I got there.

Studded ice tyres really do work. I have ridden on slick wet ice without problems. Mine are home made and don't have as many studs as the ones you buy. The only problem is the hassle of fitting them. Better to have a spare set of winter wheels or an ice bike.

 

[Pale Rider]

Thinking about trying these this winter. Not sure I have the confidence to really trust them or not. Do you feel totally safe even on thick, black ice?

Studs are at their best on black ice.

You can cycle - steadily - on a surface on which you can barely walk.

Most of us have had the experience when coming to a stop on studs of putting a foot down and the foot slipping.

Quite funny, you can ride OK on the ice but you fall off when you stop.

 

[Arjimlad]

No such thing as the wrong weather ...

I have to ride all year round to justify the investment made in jackets, overshoes, gloves, spiked tyres (awesome!) lights etc.. etc..

So when I lie there in a warm bed, it's cold dark & wet outside I have no excuses left any more.

And it's always refreshing & enjoyable even if battling against the elements !

 

[ianrauk]

I don't think I could summon up the willpower to go outside and go for a bike ride on a cold, damp, dark winter's morning but as an all-year, all-weather commuter rider I don't need will power, it just becomes a habit. Sometimes I get to work and forget how I got there.

Studded ice tyres really do work. I have ridden on slick wet ice without problems. Mine are home made and don't have as many studs as the ones you buy. The only problem is the hassle of fitting them. Better to have a spare set of winter wheels or an ice bike.

This ^^^
All round cycle commuting does become habit. You just get on with it regardless of the weather.
I'm lucky being in London as you never need studded tyres even in the coldest of weathers. The main roads are all usually very clear of ice by being gritted and the amount of traffic.

 

[Threevok]

I commute most of the year dark or light - dry or icy

but I do draw the line a gale force winds

 

[Incontinentia Buttocks]

I set off at about 05:00 in the morning, on my work commute. There are only a couple of weeks of the year, when it isn’t dark.

Same here, I also work lates and nights so if I'm really lucky I can spend most of the winter in total darkness. I miss the summer.