Wimped out today

[Office_Monkey]

Just couldn't be bothered with the combination of dark, wind & rain when I got up this morning. Will be on the train this week, maybe buying a monthly from the end of this month.

Anyone else not commuting on the bike? Have noticed a huge drop over the last month or so on my way into work.

[sjtscott]

I woke up to dark sky and heavy rain and said to myself the usual 'oh well its gonna be crap' but still rode in like I always do - only additional provision made was I brought spare gloves for the ride home.

The number of bike commuters in London has really tailed off, always does this time of year. Weather like this morning mean't there were just a few on my way in.

[Baryonyx]

More than ever commuting by bike at work for me at the moment. It's the only option if you don't want to pay for private parking elsewhere cycling. I take the car on nightshift as it's easy and free to park on street in the town but otherwise it's the motorbike for me and many of my colleagues. Many even got their CBT when we moved office to give them that option.

[Lee540]

I also rode in, good gear keeps you dry and warm.

My boots leaked badly, so bought a new pair just after I got to work.

Since buying the Busa, today has been the first time I've ridden in the rain, haven't had a really wet weekday since August down here in Cornwall!

Edited by Lee540 on Monday 13th October 11:15

[Fleegle]

Couldn't be arsed this morning, but probably back to normal tomorrow

[Mr OCD]

On the bike... mighty glad as well as traffic was diabolical (more so than normal) ... but then it was a nice cool dry morning into work

[Dog Star]

It's no quicker for me on the bike (in fact it's slower by the time I've finished faffing around), although I was tempted as it's the first day coming over the Pennines that it's not been drizzle and/or fog for a few weeks now, but I was overcome with a serious case of CBA. I doubt I'll bother again til about March.

[creampuff]

Office_Monkey said:

Just couldn't be bothered with the combination of dark, wind & rain when I got up this morning. Will be on the train this week, maybe buying a monthly from the end of this month.

Anyone else not commuting on the bike? Have noticed a huge drop over the last month or so on my way into work.

You made a good decision. I don't really like riding in traffic when it is dark and raining. It's hard for you to see, its hard for people to see you. I totally missed seeing (until the last moment) a bike which was sat in front of a car opposite me. Bikes headlight was exactly in the way of the car headlight. And if you want to change lanes, it's easy to miss a filtering bike behind you in the sea of headlights. Just been out again on the bike and it is a lot more pleasant when it is daylight.

[thatdude]

I started commuting by other means several years ago during the dark, wet, windy and gloomy months.

Much more comfortable, even on a busy underground train in rush hour london.

[Baryonyx]

That said, I did my CBT in December when it was ridiculously cold and crisp (but at least the roads were dry). I remember riding along in the training schools well-used gloves and boots with the wind rushing in, freezing cold and thinking "fking hell, is it always like this?".

[cybersimon]

Mine is going to be put away when the clocks change and the ride home is guaranteed dark.
Dark - I don't mind
Wet - I ride very upright
but Dark And Wet - no thanks.

[dapearson]

Moved further from work last year. Went from 40 miles each way on well lit dual carriageways, to 80 miles of a mixture including unlit country roads.

I used the bike last winter quite a bit and it felt dangerous on the back roads.

Last straw was catching a glimpse of a deer standing by the side of the road, while i was doing 60-70 mph. I didn't see it until i was right on it.

Oh, and too many occasions of not being able to see the road ahead for the oncoming cars' headlights.

Decided it was worth using the car in bad weather. This year i've bought a Honda CRV, fitted all terrain tyres, and i'm going to keep a blanket, water, tow rope, etc in the boot.

This morning i was well down the road (via mcdonalds for a coffee and hash brown) by the time i'd have got the bike out, gear on, etc.

[rev-erend]

Me too .. last week as well.

Will just ride to work when the weather looks nice and go out for a winter ride when the sun shines

:-)

[black-k1]

I'm on the bike today and very impressed that my waterproofs totally worked so nothing, not even my collar, was wet after an almost 2 hour run in. This will be my last week though and I'll be on the cattle trucks train next week.

[btdk5]

Just try and keep out of the way if you do ride and are nervous.

Come up behing jokers taking a bend at 10mph. Its only rain for gods sake!

[DrDoofenshmirtz]

black-k1 said:

I'm on the bike today and very impressed that my waterproofs totally worked so nothing, not even my collar, was wet after an almost 2 hour run in. This will be my last week though and I'll be on the cattle trucks train next week.

Which ones?
I need to replace my winter gear.

[anonymous-user]

Did 120 miles at about 6:30 this morning into central London. There was not a massive urgency for me to come into the office but I picked up a new set of textiles yesterday and wanted to give them a whirl.

The novelty has warn off now and i am dreading this ride home with wet boots! arrghhhh

Nearly got blown over on the M4 which was worrying.

[Dannaz]

I commuted by bike, was chilli but dry, but as I only have access to a car once a week I tend to use bike every day and never bother with car on the one days. I will keep using bike until the snow & Ice prohibits this.

[SteelerSE]

I stopped after everyone came back from summer holiday. It was taking longer than the train including taking gear on and off. Factor in 75 minutes of full on concentration at each end of the day and even the train makes it a no brainer.

Plus when the cold sets in 75 mins is a long old ride.

[The Moose]

Bike was out this morning so thought fk it and jumped on.

Didn't get wet - my old HG textiles that have been all around the world with me did me proud. Didn't have the thermal layers in which I may regret tonight! Treated myself to some Sidi boots last year (or year before maybe...) which are still excellent in the rain - totally dry socks.

The only bit that is horrible is the cuff of my jacket gets wet before the waterproof bit meaning when I take my gloves off my wrists get a bit damp/wet. I'm being a tad picky however!!