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

It's funny how this thread remained unposted in over the Actual Winter.

Relax, it's only been winter for less than two weeks. :)

40 degrees in Melbourne yesterday.

:0

40mph winds outside as I kit up for the ride to work :-(

First day back in the saddle after some enforced time off, and, Christ, were my lungs feeling bloody. Got reminded of all the exposed leading edges I'd forgotten about since last winter - the gap between gloves and top, the not-quite-windproof top, the toes, the ears...

But back in the commute-race felt good. Nearly vomited in the work showers and can't stop thinking about the race home.

1st lengthy commute for me today in a good while and it was f f f freezing in rural Aberdeenshire - tights under tights tomorrow I reckon - felt good though

ah,
this chestnut.

not having to scrape frost off my sunglasses in the morning

the evenings already drawing out,
the birds singing- they know, you know.

My favourite thing about cycling in winter is having loads of space to lock my bike up when I get to work. All the summer cyclists and people who are unwilling to wrap themselves up in layer upon layer of clothing don't bother cycling in, so it doesn't matter that I get to work late as I still have somewhere to lock up.

Weirdly, there were LOADS of bikes at work today, so my theory no longer stands. I must work with really hardy people...

My favourite thing about cycling in winter is having loads of space to lock my bike up when I get to work. All the summer cyclists and people who are unwilling to wrap themselves up in layer upon layer of clothing don't bother cycling in, so it doesn't matter that I get to work late as I still have somewhere to lock up.

Weirdly, there were LOADS of bikes at work today, so my theory no longer stands. I must work with really hardy people...

Yep bike shed's packed last few day's more than the summer, though I get the feeling some of these folks are cycling in, then seeing how cold it is in the evening, leaving their bikes there and getting public transport home.

Same with my work today/ last week or so. Maybe It's the mild winter? Loads more cyclists about than this time last year. Great to see.

Yep bike shed's packed last few day's more than the summer, though I get the feeling some of these folks are cycling in, then seeing how cold it is in the evening, leaving their bikes there and getting public transport home.

I think that might be the case. Clearly they aren't using my trick of keeping gloves on the radiator all day so when it's time to leave you have nice toasty fingers.

People in my office seem weirdly happy to leave their bikes in our shed - there's a man with the most beautiful bike (he caught me giving it extremely lustful stares - it was a little bit awkward as I'm not sure it was obvious I was looking at the bike and not him...) and he left it in the bike shed over xmas! I nearly cried!! I'd be happier having my bike in full view at all times...

I noticed exactly the same thing - today, for the first time since September, the stand where I usually lock up was completely full. The ranks of winter cyclists must be growing!

wierd i too noticed way above average amounts of riders out there last night on the journey home
first cold morning / evening and the roads are heaving with bicycles ?
last week was quiet ?
what happened tube strike i missed

ice down my road this morning 100m of danger then back on the well used roads and all was well

frozen paths in Victoria park meant that when the little rat-dog ran out in front of me I did a skid-endo with my foot in the clips, just missing the dog, the ladies walking the dog seemed impressed

ice down my road this morning 100m of mad skidz then back on the well used roads and all was well

ftfy

Frozen fingers - don't you just love the cold!!!!! and that despite winter thermal gloves!!

cold makes us feel the warmth of the indoors properly
#zenmaster

Not everyone feels the cold though, I saw someone cycling near Elephant this morning in what appeared to be hotpants. Brrrr...

Not everyone feels the cold though, I saw someone cycling near Elephant this morning in what appeared to be hotpants. Brrrr...

Someone said the same to me this morning actually. Saying they'd seen a guy in tiny shorts wondering if it was me.

I've just brought a merino base layer from M & S and the Rapha Merino hat I brought is on It's way. Fingers crossed I'm going to warm up!

I noticed exactly the same thing - today, for the first time since September, the stand where I usually lock up was completely full. The ranks of winter cyclists must be growing!

I think you're right.
the central to se london route via tooley rd / A200 is rammed with cyclists this winter.
bit of a fucking noddapocalyse though, fools riding every which way.

character building weather this week

No such thing as bad weather.
Only the wrong clothes.

stepped up a level on the clothing front this morning it must be said
i am at 3/5 on the warmth scale, was nice and toasty arriving at work
2 more levels to go

come at me -5C

heh heh heh

dont lean

There's little better than being completely comfortable in adverse weather!

A balaclava, some wrist sweat bands to bridge the gap between jersey and gloves and toe covers for the shoes have made a big difference to my commute.