Who rides in the winter?

[Geordie Oldie]

Well, not me, turned into a right softy in my old age.

 

When I got my first bike (1980) I rode all year round, did 18 000 miles in the first year, rode right through the winter, once did a 20 miles trip on deep snow in a blizzard, only came off twice.

 

Now I won't got out below 15C and dry.

[AstronautNinja]

I may have the odd ride should the sun show it's face, mainly to remain compotent but I'll not be bothering setting off during any rain. 

[Fiddlesticks]

An hour's commute each way, twice a week, year round.

 

Bike gets a hose down and dry before going back away.

Edited September 23, 2024 by Fiddlesticks

[daveinlim]

Commute 4/5 times a week. 45 mins each way all year around. 

I've got a lot of weatherproof kit that keeps me going. 

I won't ride in ice or snow though. 

[ChrisBiggsUK]

As I'm starting out as a complete novice to riding, I'll be doing so over these coming colder, wetter months.  I certainly will take extra care when I'm up early and heading to local car parks to practice, and likewise will be taking extra care when riding on the road to and from places, but short of the weather being so bad as to be impossible or dangerous to ride in, I shall persevere and keep on going.

The way I see it, if I can learn to ride over winter, with the weather at its grimmest, I should be in a good position to keep on learning and honing my skills during the sunnier months and will have built up a good amount of confidence coping with the worst that the country can offer (weatherwise).  I'm confident, but not cocky, so while I'm diving in at the deep end, I will still be wearing a metaphorical buoyancy aid at all times.

[rob m]

I commuted for years back in the late 1990s and early 2000s in all weathers, all year round because my bike was my only mode of transport. I was at Uni at the time and made regular trips into London and also down to the coast when I was on placements. Did it on a 1993 Honda Fireblade. Full leathers with a scarf, a couple of extra t-shirts if needed and bright yellow waterproofs that were donated from my mate who was a postie at the time. Carrier bags over gloves and boots if needed. In the dark when it was raining and cold was the worst. It wasn't always grim though, some of my most memorable rides were while commuting to Uni or to placements. I've posted this picture before but this bike was my lifeline during that time (picture taken in 1999). It also did Sunday rides, going to WSB/MotoGP races among other things. 

 

 

These days, I tend to put the bike under cover and leave between November-March but this year I'm going to ride over that period when I can. Just received an Oxford Solariser to help keep the battery topped up.  We tend to get milder winters these days so I'm thinking why not. I have the luxury of having the choice of when to ride so will pick and choose when I do it. If it's a washout (like last year) then the bike will stay under it's cover. Then I'll be whacking the heaters up and blasting the tunes out in the car.

 

 

 

[AstronautNinja]

Some absolute warriors here

 

To those who commute / ride daily. Do you have a car?

[Simon Davey]

I ride when it's dry all year. 

Don't mind the cold, but as above, not in icy conditions. 

 

[manxie49]

Yep ...... Always have done.  The only thing I won't ride in now is snow.  Needs must unfortunately, I will sometimes get the comfort of the car, but thats only if the wife doesn't need it.  

[Geordie Oldie]

I guess I am fortunate in as much as I don't need to commute, I am retired.

 

When I was working it was all year round, it meant I could park in the city centre for free, we also got 20 mins walking time if we finished in a different place to where we started, which I could do in 2 with my bike.

 

Looking back I had all the right gear and was never really that cold or wet.

 

I cam still remember my first ever ride in the rain, you don't know wet until you have ridden in the rain.

 

[RideWithStyles]

Wife used to ride all year round as that was her sole transport for quite a few years, passed her car test, then got poorly and then used the car that is her sole transport. 

I currently work in the same town as I live so a short walk is all I need.

Bike is social or alternative mode if the wife has the car. College last year I did travel on the bike as that was further away in all but the grimmest times. 

Used For the social in colder months I’ll ride in dry conditions and stop as soon a gritting is applied a

till at least a few weeks afterwards before I’m willing to return, But I don’t know if I’ll even be able to do that from now on.

[Steve_M]

1 hour ago, AstronautNinja said:

Some absolute warriors here

 

To those who commute / ride daily. Do you have a car?

For several years I rode all year for my commute and for leisure. For a while during the divorce it was my only vehicle - I was covering around 12,000 miles a year for a while. 
 

Now retired I ride when I feel the need regardless of season, providing the temperature is above 4° C (the point at which there is reduced chance of black ice).

[JRH]

At one time I commuted every day including snow and on occasion ice. (Came off once).

Then when finances allowed 2 cars, commuted dry times only (unless caught out by rain).

Now retired I prefer dry rides though have been caught in rain and snow storms in the past.

Bike is taxed and insured all year and I have always got out on New Years Day for the past umpteen years.

 

[S-Westerly]

My wife has the car I don't. So if I'm going anywhere on my own I ride, including up to Glasgow and Northumberland. I prefer not to ride in snow but sometimes it comes on enroute. I also ride for the sheer pleasure of it and winter isno reason to hold back.

This wasn't pleasurable I hasten to add.

Edited September 23, 2024 by S-Westerly

[Capt Sisko]

As long as it's dry I don't mind the cold. I've got goretex & heated just about everything so my kit keeps we warm & dry. I prefer not leave home in the rain knowing it's going to rain all day, but if it rains when I'm riding back, I can live with that.  One thing I'm pretty fastidious  over though is cleaning my bike after a winter's ride, even if that means a quick jet wash under the outside light to blast the road muck (and any salt) off. So yeah, me and the RT are ride all year round.

Edited September 23, 2024 by Capt Sisko

[Saul]

I commute 64 miles a day to work and back all year round.    I work overnight so go to work in the dark especially in the winter, I do try and avoid fog and obviously icey type conditions but try and use the bike for most of it.  I have a stunning ride home across Bodmin moor in the mornings and that is always something to look forward to after a night shift.  

[Stu]

I have a car for work as does the wife the bike has always been a toy so I use it when I want basically 

 

As for riding in winter! I never used to but have done since I got the BMW! 

 

I go out on the good days and have had some fantastic rides 

[Nick the wanderer]

No. But the bike is primed and ready to go should we get any nice dry weather, only got to wheel it out, it's mot'd and insured. You can tax it in minutes online. Usually go up to when they change the clocks back, end of Oct.

I ride for pleasure and to get my motorcycling fix, I don't get that in the dark and rain and freezing cold.

[Pie man]

All year. Commute 2 days a week to the office, 45 mins each way come rain or shine. Keis heated apparel help to keep me warm  

[MDUBZ]

5 hours ago, AstronautNinja said:

Some absolute warriors here

 

To those who commute / ride daily. Do you have a car?

Yes, but it’s faster, cheaper, and more flexible, the travel time is consistent and it’s more fun on a bike commuting in and out of the central london, even when piss wet through tbh: I have a locker and shower facilities which helps.
 

Obviously i have a number of other options for 65 miles each way (3 times a week) combining the use of cars, trains, tube, Brompton in various ways, but public transport as well as being expensive (with no seat guaranteed) is a drain on the soul done regularly; so I use sparingly on a needs must basis and everytime I wish I didn’t have to. If the weather is really bad I’ll work from home.. 

 

[Tinkicker]

I have an aversion to getting my bikes wet and salty....

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

I ride all year. The only thing I avoid is when there's black ice around. Living in a rural area the roads don't get gritted very much and I object to going through hedges sideways.

[daveinlim]

19 hours ago, AstronautNinja said:

Some absolute warriors here

 

To those who commute / ride daily. Do you have a car?

 

I have my CBR and an SUV. My commute involves a lot of riding for 4 mins on a dual carriageway then queue at a roundabout and repeat several times followed by slow moving traffic. 

 

The car is more comfortable and I can have a mcmuffin on the way but it's so annoying waiting for literally 10 minutes queuing at a roundabout that I take the bike. 

 

 I've got 2 good waterproof laminate suits and overalls over that, heated grips heated gloves so I'm well prepared.

 

Actually sometimes I end up wetter in the car walking from the carpark to the office than I do in the bike

[S-Westerly]

At least for me commuting isn't an issue and for the same reason I don't have a car. It just wouldn't get used very much.

[skyrider]

several years ago i used to ride to work all year round but since then i now work for myself as a gardener so i need a van for all my equipment ( mowers strimmers and other hand tools ) so now it's just pleasure riding