Winter cycling safety tips / advice
- Thread starter Bimble
- Start date
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whoops! Good poing Steve! Can't think why I didn't think of that (busted pelvis, nine weeks on crutches).
White lines: Last winter I came off once. I crossed a thick white paint line at a shallow angle. Didn't see it because it was covered in snow.
My winter tip: find out what roads get gritted- my council has a map on their website. Bus routes usually are.
My winter tip: find out what roads get gritted- my council has a map on their website. Bus routes usually are.
peelywally
Active Member
areas under trees that are tarmac usually very slippy leaf mould .
Cold numb hands arent good at reaching for brakes .
Dips are much colder to ride through ,
Heading down into one can chill you to the bone and they often hold mist especially at night .
Cold numb hands arent good at reaching for brakes .
Dips are much colder to ride through ,
Heading down into one can chill you to the bone and they often hold mist especially at night .
To add to the posts about headlight dazzle; if it looks like you are about to get a faceful of blinding light look down and to the left so you don't get dazzled and can retain some of your night vision. Be aware as well that even dipped headlights can dazzle you if you meet an oncoming car at a road summit, their headlights will momentarily be aimed towards your face instead of on the road.
If you cycle on country lanes do not hug the edge of the road. Often that is where the worst potholes are and where all the mud washed down from the verges/banks ends up. Taking a more central position in the lane also gives you two possible ways to go if you see a pothole directly in front of you.
Front lights are less effective at lighting the road when the road is wet (less is reflected back towards your eyes) so surface irregularities will be harder to spot.
If you cycle on country lanes do not hug the edge of the road. Often that is where the worst potholes are and where all the mud washed down from the verges/banks ends up. Taking a more central position in the lane also gives you two possible ways to go if you see a pothole directly in front of you.
Front lights are less effective at lighting the road when the road is wet (less is reflected back towards your eyes) so surface irregularities will be harder to spot.
OP
OP
Bimble
Bimbling along ...
Sounds like great advice, thank you.
I will definitely have a go at mending a puncture before I go too far afield, I assume someone at the bike shop can sort me out with whatever kit I need to make it easier to do?
Lights are on my shopping list and I may well get two sets now (one expensive, one cheap) just in case.
Not sure I like the sound of cycling on ice though, but like someone said it isn't a crime to decide not go take the bike on some of the worst days.
I will definitely have a go at mending a puncture before I go too far afield, I assume someone at the bike shop can sort me out with whatever kit I need to make it easier to do?
Lights are on my shopping list and I may well get two sets now (one expensive, one cheap) just in case.
Not sure I like the sound of cycling on ice though, but like someone said it isn't a crime to decide not go take the bike on some of the worst days.
summerdays
Cycling in the sun
- Location
- Bristol
Cycling on ice is a risk and even Mr Summerdays walked / got a lift on a couple of the worst days in the snow last year. But I would recommend going out just on your own road and getting a feel for what its like in icy/snowy conditions ... as sometimes you set off on a journey and the conditions are OK but then they change for the worse by the time you are on your return journey (though there is possibly the option to leave your bike at work on those days and bus/get a life home anyway).
pshore
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Last contour N of Cambridge
Most drivers will only clear an inadequate section of frost off their screens meaning they can't see you through the frost. Flashers help wake them up. Ooh I say !
Paul_L
Über Member
- Location
- Shipley, West Yorks
that's been said on many an occasion!
summerdays
Cycling in the sun
- Location
- Bristol
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
many people have mentioned on various threads about starting off feeling a little cool so you do not overheat as you progress but do not start off to cold !
Last night at work i was outside and got cold before the ride home , my feet were already numb before i even got changed and they never warmed up all the way home even thought i had flecy shoe liners , good socks ( not to tight) and overshoes.The rest of my body was toasty but the feet were still very cold.
Last night at work i was outside and got cold before the ride home , my feet were already numb before i even got changed and they never warmed up all the way home even thought i had flecy shoe liners , good socks ( not to tight) and overshoes.The rest of my body was toasty but the feet were still very cold.
summerdays
Cycling in the sun
- Location
- Bristol
No ... if your feet are cold before you start they normally only get worse... yesterday I was working from home in the morning and about to go out after lunch when I realised my feet were cold - so I went and got a water bottle and put my feet on that for 20 minutes before I went out... that was nice. If you can its worth having your gloves and buff sitting on a radiator ready to go out. (There was no point yesterday as the heating isn't on during the day!).
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
Err you say no then agree with me i said my feet did not warm up and then you said they don't warm up.. confused
summerdays
Cycling in the sun
- Location
- Bristol
Sorry I meant that although other bits of you might warm up through exercise ... your hands and feet usually seem less inclined to and that if you actually start with them feeling cold before you set out then it just goes downhill.
(Does that make any more sense - presenting a lucid argument isn't one of my more developed skills whereas eating chocolate is!).
(Does that make any more sense - presenting a lucid argument isn't one of my more developed skills whereas eating chocolate is!).
The sound of cycling is important, the different surfaces sound different from normal road noise to the sibilant hiss of riding on frosty ground.
Then there is the utter silence of ice (black or otherwise)
Listening to your tyres is vital in the Winter.