Tales from today's commute....

[Binky]

Those who commute by bike, do you still do even if weather horrendous? And in winter in dark in horrendous weather? If so is that through necessity or by choice?

Fair play for doing so, as a confirmed fair weather softy I couldn't.

 

[ianrauk]

Those who commute by bike, do you still do even if weather horrendous? And in winter in dark in horrendous weather? If so is that through necessity or by choice?

Fair play for doing so, as a confirmed fair weather softy I couldn't.

Yep, come rain, wind and Snow I cycle commute all year round and have done on and off for both school and work for nearly 50 years, by choice. A cycle commute is the highlight of my working day.
Only if bad ice or seriously low minus temperatures when it's been wet I probably won't.

But. here in the SE of England its very rare that bad weather ever stops a cycle commute.

 

[ianrauk]

So, after yesterday's morning rain blighted the ride in. Forecasts said it was meant to be dry for the ride home. Was it feck.
I left in the dry, about 10 minutes in it started to rain, and got heavier. It did ease off after about 20 minutes. By the time I had got to the station it was absolutely heaving it down. Luckily at my stop half an hour later it had stopped. Its not so great being on a train when one is soaked through.

So that's rainy commute #9 for the year
Same period last year 16 rainy commutes.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Those who commute by bike, do you still do even if weather horrendous? And in winter in dark in horrendous weather? If so is that through necessity or by choice?

Fair play for doing so, as a confirmed fair weather softy I couldn't.

Yep, other than due to illness (or taking a car for MOT, ironically) I've cycled to work every day since before COVID, probably a decade since I chose to drive to work for even a day.

It can be great fun in bad weather...

 

[cyberknight]

Those who commute by bike, do you still do even if weather horrendous? And in winter in dark in horrendous weather? If so is that through necessity or by choice?

Fair play for doing so, as a confirmed fair weather softy I couldn't.

I used too but as i have got older and im held together with pins, plates and duct tape i am a bit more cautious.As i work shifts and my commute is across the back lanes there is not public transport as a back up or bike shops if i have an issue i cant fix road side.
Mrs ck was not happy when i phoned her at about 1 am once when my tyre was knackered ......

 

[HLaB]

50 mph winds forecast for my ride in later , 50/50 whether its a good idea to ride.

I'm glad I'm WfH today, it was wild when I went out for a walk, dry and bright but gusty but we are only getting 46mph gusts. I'd ride in what we are getting but I've not really got a choice if I'm commuting.

 

[HLaB]

Those who commute by bike, do you still do even if weather horrendous? And in winter in dark in horrendous weather? If so is that through necessity or by choice?

Fair play for doing so, as a confirmed fair weather softy I couldn't.

Almost all weather. I have shortened it over winter due to the possibility of ice. As the run into the new office isn't as nice. I kinda used it as an excuse though as I never really worried about the more rural commute before on nicer roads for the 4 yesrs previous to it; preferring that to a 2nd train in all but emergency.

I've got into the habit now too of the extra half hour in bed and just tend to extend my new commute (maximise the cycle and minimise the train) at night now in the better weather.

 

[blackrat]

So, after yesterday's morning rain blighted the ride in. Forecasts said it was meant to be dry for the ride home. Was it feck.
I left in the dry, about 10 minutes in it started to rain, and got heavier. It did ease off after about 20 minutes. By the time I had got to the station it was absolutely heaving it down. Luckily at my stop half an hour later it had stopped. Its not so great being on a train when one is soaked through.

So that's rainy commute #9 for the year
Same period last year 16 rainy commutes.

Curious question, what rain jacket, if any, do you wear? I sweat - like most people - and I end up riding soaking wet inside. There is no such fabric that 'breathes' no matter what the makers say, so what do you do?

 

[ianrauk]

Curious question, what rain jacket, if any, do you wear? I sweat - like most people - and I end up riding soaking wet inside. There is no such fabric that 'breathes' no matter what the makers say, so what do you do?

In the warmer months, no jacket required. No point. Last night I didn't even bother putting on a jacket.
During the very cold winter I wear an Altura Nightvision. In the less colder rides, an Endura Pro-Adrenaline Race Cape.
Both pretty much waterproof.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Curious question, what rain jacket, if any, do you wear? I sweat - like most people - and I end up riding soaking wet inside. There is no such fabric that 'breathes' no matter what the makers say, so what do you do?

You get wet from the inside in all rain jackets IME.

Well designed vents minimise this, the fabric makes little or no difference (literally no difference in the wet, the physics prevents "breathing" of moisture unless the external air is dry).

 

[HLaB]

Curious question, what rain jacket, if any, do you wear? I sweat - like most people - and I end up riding soaking wet inside. There is no such fabric that 'breathes' no matter what the makers say, so what do you do?

How long are you out commuting for. I tend to wear soft shell jackets and it'll take an hour plus depending the jacket of constant rain before they are saturated and they definitely breathe better.

 

[biking_fox]

Yeah pretty much all year around. I'm suburban so plenty of choice of routes, the shortest for heavy rain is only 3mile. Full roads in the ice, normally a more mixed 6 miler. Time enough to warm up if it's cold, not so long I get too tired/sweaty/wet/sunburnt otherwise.

I'm on my third (fourth?) Proviz Reflect jacket - they're fine for Autumn-spring rains, properly waterproof when not too battered, and well enough ventilated not to get too sweaty otherwise (it's not a race!). They can be a bit heavy in summer, but usually wouldn't wear then. The days of warm rain are few!

 

[blackrat]

What I dislike about riding in the rain on public roads is being soaked by cars, that and the concern that the lack of visibility means the drivers may not be seeing me. It's bad enough being near-missed in the clear day light.

 

[markharry66]

What I dislike about riding in the rain on public roads is being soaked by cars, that and the concern that the lack of visibility means the drivers may not be seeing me. It's bad enough being near-missed in the clear day light.

i find rain always brings out the idiots and morons on the road.

 

[ianrauk]

i find rain always brings out the idiots and morons on the road.

Agree 100%.