Should I ride in -degrees c?

[Romanov]

HI,
Im on earlies this week but for the first time its gonna be nagtive degress temp this week and Ive never ridden when there could be ice, does anyone ride in these conditions and do you have any tips? or should I just not risk it or am I being a woos?

[Romanov]

*bump* - this is concerning me a bit more

[dkmech]

I'd say - you not happy - don't do it. We want to see you post here for a while yet

[TeePee]

I shall be riding to work tomorrow at 5am.

Tips. Old-mans thermals might look funny, so wear several layers on top. Good gloves are essential. Look at lobsterclaws or consider barmuffs. At 50mph the windchill is -30, which is well into the 'exposed flesh freezes' category, so cover every bit.

As for riding in icy conditions, the only advice is to take it easy. I have had a moment where turning out of a road, the back wheel hit a patch of ice and slid sideways about a yard. How I stayed upright I do not know, but at least it was at slow speed. It happened so quickly there was no time for a concious act, just instinct, so no advice really.

Make sure someone is waiting at your destination with a mug of cocoa. I wish!

[Romanov]

Phew - was ok this morning no ice luckily but damn cold, now I know why I bought that tube for my neck - Ill be wearing it from now on rather than staring at it uselessly in a box at home nice to commute on it tho makes the bike riding more fun to have a purpose tbh -

[dkmech]

Glad you made it alright.

[Romanov]

cheers dk now only 20 more years of road riding to go I dont know why I like bikes tbh ..........

[oyster]

You're tougher than me. I decided yesterday that I'd take the bike this morning. Took one look at the ice everywhere this morning and jumped in the car like the wuss I am!

[kaillum]

hehe... winter biking takes a whole lot of dedication... I can only use mine of a weekend, (the m6 60 mile each way commute dosnt do the bike any favours) but i'll be out most weekends... and it dosnt matter what the weather is... If you can ride well in the winter, it will make you a lot better rider in the summer....

if your gonna be doing a lot of miles in the winter, you may want to have a look at some heated grips.. Oxford do some excellent ones at about £30-£40.. they take about an hour to fit, dont drain to much from the battery, heat up in seconds and are fantastic for keeping your hands warm...

other than that, its pretty much a case of wrapping yourself up as much as possible, whilst still maintaining the required mobility... and making sure that every piece of bare skin is covered... decent winter grade gloves (I use Rev-It Winter Gloves.. £35 and 100% waterproof)... Waterproof Boots (i wear Akito Leather & Lined £50) and an Oxford Wool Snood (£10 or less)... with a nice set of Textile Jacket/Trousers that zip together.. no cold should be able to touch you...


Ride Smart ~ Ride Safe...

Andy ~ kaillum