Winter 2019/20
Discussion
As long as you're prepared -5 is nothing to worry about IMHO. It's been-3 on the way into work a few times already this winter and it's definitely more than 10 miles 
You're right about the snow though which is why I take the bike even when it snows so that I dont get hold up by my fellow southerners inability to keep their 4x4 the right way up!
You're right about the snow though which is why I take the bike even when it snows so that I dont get hold up by my fellow southerners inability to keep their 4x4 the right way up!
I have 2 offices that I work out of.
My regular office is only 7 miles from my house.
The other office is 75 miles away from my house.
In summer I will ride the bike to both, but my 'big bike' has been put away for winter as there is no chance of me doing that journey again at this time of year.
I've kept my little 125 commuter on the road though and will use that for the short commute during the winter.
I think I'm one of the rare weirdos that actually enjoys riding in the cold, and especially the rain.
I've bought one of those cheap mesh cup holder things from Halfords that is supposed to clip to an air vent or something on a car. I've attached it to clamp on the bikes bars and just keep a damp microfiber in it so I can wipe my visor over if the visibility gets a too bad.
My regular office is only 7 miles from my house.
The other office is 75 miles away from my house.
In summer I will ride the bike to both, but my 'big bike' has been put away for winter as there is no chance of me doing that journey again at this time of year.
I've kept my little 125 commuter on the road though and will use that for the short commute during the winter.
I think I'm one of the rare weirdos that actually enjoys riding in the cold, and especially the rain.
I've bought one of those cheap mesh cup holder things from Halfords that is supposed to clip to an air vent or something on a car. I've attached it to clamp on the bikes bars and just keep a damp microfiber in it so I can wipe my visor over if the visibility gets a too bad.
SBDJ said:
As long as you're prepared -5 is nothing to worry about IMHO. It's been-3 on the way into work a few times already this winter and it's definitely more than 10 miles
You're right about the snow though which is why I take the bike even when it snows so that I dont get hold up by my fellow southerners inability to keep their 4x4 the right way up!
How would you prepare a blade for -5.You're right about the snow though which is why I take the bike even when it snows so that I dont get hold up by my fellow southerners inability to keep their 4x4 the right way up!
Tucked away in the garage as soon as the weather up here started to get sh**ty. I've ridden bikes for 40 yrs and not afraid to admit to being a 'fair weather biker'. I have two cars so why be uncomfortable getting soaked through / frozen / worried about hitting some ice and throwing the bike down the road when you can be dry and warm in a car.
moanthebairns said:
How would you prepare a blade for -5.
Personally I think the rider needs to be prepared more than the bike; I use both my ZX10R and ZZR1400 through winter; albeit it a Southern winter and I don't do anything beyond usual maintenance, suitable tyres and connection point for heated gear. The last couple of years I've used a small pair of muffs too because I don't like the cold 
It's not without incident though, dropped a bike on black ice once and almost did the same along a nice road in Wales on some compacted snow too. How it stayed upright I've no idea!
Edited by SBDJ on Friday 6th December 21:43
moanthebairns said:
SBDJ said:
As long as you're prepared -5 is nothing to worry about IMHO. It's been-3 on the way into work a few times already this winter and it's definitely more than 10 miles
You're right about the snow though which is why I take the bike even when it snows so that I dont get hold up by my fellow southerners inability to keep their 4x4 the right way up!
How would you prepare a blade for -5.You're right about the snow though which is why I take the bike even when it snows so that I dont get hold up by my fellow southerners inability to keep their 4x4 the right way up!
I am both commuter and hobbyist, or rebel without a cause when the sun's shining at the weekend, if you like.
I no longer insure the big bike (currently scrambler 1200XE) for the commute as I don't want it getting nicked or dirty. I commute 10 miles each way on an Xmax 300. I enjoy the rides in when it's dry and light, less so the evenings as it's busier and dark. It would take a minimum additional 25 minutes by train and I don't have anywhere to park a car unless I pay £30 per day so on balance it's by far the best option. This is in London, btw, so weather is rarely that bad.
Come spring I'm moving house and will have to do school run in the morning so drive and park. Luckily the school is just by the station. When it gets warm enough it will probably be time to get some riding gear for the lad, who's 11, and start using the scooter for that too.
If my commute was cross-country and/or oop north I would probably drive...
I no longer insure the big bike (currently scrambler 1200XE) for the commute as I don't want it getting nicked or dirty. I commute 10 miles each way on an Xmax 300. I enjoy the rides in when it's dry and light, less so the evenings as it's busier and dark. It would take a minimum additional 25 minutes by train and I don't have anywhere to park a car unless I pay £30 per day so on balance it's by far the best option. This is in London, btw, so weather is rarely that bad.
Come spring I'm moving house and will have to do school run in the morning so drive and park. Luckily the school is just by the station. When it gets warm enough it will probably be time to get some riding gear for the lad, who's 11, and start using the scooter for that too.
If my commute was cross-country and/or oop north I would probably drive...
HairyMaclary said:
This time of year sorts the men from the boys.
Hardly any bikes on the commute into central London now. In the summer it's comedy with 10+ bike skakes filtering.
Bit of sun and it's like the tour de France down the old Kent road though. Best bit of commuting in the winter is less lycra clad Bradley wiggings types.
Weird motorbike riders that you see dressed in Lycra trying to copy a cyclist. Hardly any bikes on the commute into central London now. In the summer it's comedy with 10+ bike skakes filtering.
Bit of sun and it's like the tour de France down the old Kent road though. Best bit of commuting in the winter is less lycra clad Bradley wiggings types.
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