What I love most about cycling in England through the winter is...

If any nodders come near my kids I'll do time.

One thing that has perplexed me for many years is that the milkman used to pop around to the gaff shared by Noddy and BigEars and give Noddy milk in exchange, not for money, but for the opportunity to ring the bell on Noddy's hat. In my innocence, have I been missing something here?

Also, why did Noddy not ride a bike? He ought to.

I love the fact that you have to get ready with a bit more care. Can't just hop on. So there's these little rituals that kick in which involve laying gear out and so on. Also love allowing a bit more time for porridge in the morning.

Eh?

a) Put on long sleeve top instead of t-shirt.
b) If raining put on jacket.

That's winter done.

It is nice having about 10 different layers to choose from. Normally you can get it just right if you select wisely. Then all you need to do is open/close one or two zipps to let air circulate.

I especially love the sunrise across Hampstead Heath when their is a frost. Sometimes if I am very lucky, I will come across the soldiers from Regents Park barracks doing some manoeuvres on their horses first thing. I had that last year and it was like something out of a film, just incredible all these horses trotting past. Didn't smell great though

Porridge knows no season.

True

Oh dear.

I had that last year and it was like something out of a xxx film, just incredible all these hosers trotting past. Didn't smell great though
fixed

I can see how coming across lots of soldiers doing manoeuvres by Hampstead Heath early one morning could be misinterpreted. But this was entirely innocent and wondrous. Not filth

No I know. I'm not in porridge mode yet. Frost in shadows while sunny areas are thawed out: This ushers in the oat munching season.

This is what real men do in winter.

Snookle cocaine?

Looks like ChainBreaker hugging the snow.

nothing like a good cycle in winter to warm u up! I do get funny looks however, think its because of my longs under shorts approach to keeping slightly above freezing!

Last year, cycling through Regent's Park, was the most amazing low-lying fog I've ever seen! I slowly pedaled down the central path and looked behind to see the swirling fog behind me, swallowing up the path again in my wake.

Bit prosaic maybe, but I love cycling through the winter and seem to do more miles and get out of the door earlier when its cold.

It's also nice to have slightly quieter bicycle lanes in the winter but I'm not one that calls out 'fair-weather cyclists' as I'm always happy to see more cyclists appearing on the roads as the weather gets warmer. Generally my bicycle is looking a bit shabby having gone all through the winter compared to the new, shiny bicycles, but it's lovely to see fellow cyclists again.

Think there's also a common bond in winter cyclists often too. That brief look you give each other as you pass on an icy road in the dark...

That brief look you give each other as you pass on an icy road in the dark...

Reported for grooming.

Think there's also a common bond in winter cyclists often too. That brief look you give each other as you pass on an icy road in the dark...

Having moved back to the smoke, I'll miss this sort of thing on little country roads without seeing a car on your whole journey

Clear roads are a bloody godsend - riding in london with no nodders. Holy. Moly.

^Not been in London that long or not been riding bikes in London that long.

There are way more cyclist riding in all weathers and on all types of bikes than there was 4-5 years ago let alone 10-15 years ago.

I prefer it this way.

Reported for grooming.

You'd have to have pretty immense grooming powers to be able to do it on a passing bicycle!

had a great fast ride from tufnell park to willesden this morning, I love it when the frost is out :-)

^Not been in London that long or not been riding bikes in London that long.

There are way more cyclist riding in all weathers and on all types of bikes than there was 4-5 years ago let alone 10-15 years ago.

I prefer it this way.

Not in London, thanks. What i mean to say is the natural seasonal cull of people on Mountain bikes wobbling off lights and riding recklessly / inconsiderately has slowly started to kick in. Which means riding home from work feels (bizarrely) slightly more private. The way it used to be when I lived in Nottingham, all year round (practically, anyway).

Even withj the temperature climbing a little lower this week, I've suffered far fewer nods on the usual ride to work, it's made Leigh Bridge road heaven before 8 in the morning, not super early at all..... by the time I get to the usual 'I'm gunna go really fast cos ma hi-vis has charged me up, I AM the Ready Brek Kid' bottle neck that is City Road Junction, the mass mele of riders has disipated massively, and the steady pedal to work is relaxed, calm, and much more enjoyable than hot sunny days when roads are full of sweating panickers undercutting buses. It gives me less to think about and let me genuinely enjoy my ride in......... And heading home, several different routes taken to enjoy the quietness this week........ pure pleasure......... in a completely selfish way.......

the natural seasonal cull of people on Mountain bikes wobbling off lights and riding recklessly / inconsiderately has slowly started to kick in. (practically, anyway).
Not natural in South London mate... We boyz been busy!!!! ;P

Anyone who looks down on 'fair-weather' cyclists. Everyone on two wheels is a friend: subject to many, many conditions, of course. It's all about the ride!!!!

Uh huh.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EY7lYRneHc

You'd have to have pretty immense grooming powers to be able to do it on a passing bicycle!

He does. Be careful.

I love doing a flat out very short (about 5 mile) in the absolute pouring rain, joggers t-shirt and phone in a freezer bag :D

Must admit this will be my first year of winter commuting, I plan to do this winter stuff as often as I can :) - just looking for a light set to get myself :D