M62 in winter? Bikable?

[Itchy]

From between Manchester and Leeds?

Is it doable on a bike? Granted this may well risk man up! Type responses, but hey I used to commute from Falmouth to Plymouth for a winter, but I'm older and less impetious! But whenever I go up and over the M62 it feels cold and windy on a bike especially passing the farm in the middle before Halifax.

Thing is I've never been on it in winter. There is a big conundrum here in that the M62 up to the M60 turns into a car park everymorning and evening. Therefore if I travel to this temp job in a car it will change a 45 minute bike journey into a 70 minute affair (I had a go the other day). And long commutes annoy me greatly though I don't exactly have a shed load of choices here.

Any experiences?

Thanks
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[c_dug]

This coming from the man who if I remember correctly rode half way around the globe or something?

The M62 should be a walk in the park!

Seriously though, just wrap up warm, heated grips and muffs make a big difference. I'm sure heated clothing is even better though I haven't tried any myself. Beats an extra 30 minutes sitting in a car.
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[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

It does seem to have its own micro climate.
Going up bank (towords Leeds) just near the 'Pennine Way' footbridge is the cutoff point.
Rain-wind-sleet...fine. But that dense cloud that hangs there is 'orrible with all the HGVs wafting it about.

I'd choose my bike days carefully.


Pat
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[kawakid]

Hello,

I do have experience of the M62 in winter and it can get really cold.

I've been across when the weather was -7C. It was awful, it was if I was drunk, I could not focus properly and I could feel my body starting to shut down.

I did have heated grips, but this did little to help. I could not go above 50mph as the wind chill it soooo much colder.

This last year, there were many many days when a journey by car was dangerous never mind a bike.

Saying that we might get a mild winter this year. So who knows.

If you are planning to do it, I would make sure you have a car as a back up and also consider having proper heated kit.
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[2wheelsteve]

If theres heavy snow you take the car, bit of sleet and cold then use the bike
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[FURBAR]

No decent A/B roads to use instead ...
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Fuk um !!

[trevoriv]

Too windy mate, it's bad enough in a car!
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[Jodie]

I wouldn't fancy it at all, it's the highest motorway in the U.K.
Never done that route without being blown all over and always rains.

[herulach]

Where are you going from/to? The A road up to saddleworth from oldham is reasonably sheltered for most of the way, and gets you past most of the exposed bit.

Theres plenty of reasonably sheltered A roads going over that way if you coming from oldham/ashton way. I'd still be tempted with a heated jacket though.
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[2wheelsteve]

Get another job
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[Skudd]

The M62 is fine, just dress for the weather. if you want to be wimpy get heated grips.
What I would do, and have in the past, is have to set of gear so that one is drying at home while you wear the other.
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[FURBAR]

[danjameswhitt]

echo most of the comments above really M62/M60 shouldn't be too bad, but if you decide to do a/b roads keep an eye out for them being closed if it snows, 'tis a bugber on 4 wheels, never mind 2!

[FLV]

Manchester to leeds on the train any good? I know someone who does it the other way and seems happy enough.
You could get a cheapo ped to leave at the other end maybe if its away from the station?
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[truslack]

I tried it on the MZ last year - I saw 2 artic trucks get blown straight off the carriageway in a blizzard, then my bike died, i ended up pushing it down the slip road and sitting in an abandoned mill for 3 hours
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[Itchy]

Hmm interesting views, it is from Bolton to Junction 27. If that makes any difference.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.