Commuting in the winter...

[lightfoot256]

I've moved up to York but still working down in Sheffield (attempting to move job at some point), but as the winters getting closer and closer, Just looking for any tips incase I end up having to ride back and forth...

I may end up having to catch the train, but just wondering if anybody has commuted properly throughout winter and what it was like?

Cheers,
Chris

[Rookie]

Yep. Cold!!

It's absolutely freezing in mid winter, your fingers go number in minutes, that little bit of neck/chin that isn't covered goes numb, anything not covered by thick material goes numb.

Anything non-waterproof will be even worse if it rains or (God forbid) snows.

It's fun!

I learned that you need some gloves liners, waterproof trousers, and a nice thick, proper jacket over a jumper. Just to stay reasonably warm.

[innominate]

The Cold and the Wet.
Good gloves are a must.


Bad road conditions you can generally just slow down a bit for.
I only gave in and took the train when there was sheet ice everywhere.
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I, as a responsible adult human being, will never concede the power to anyone to regulate my choice of what I put into my body, or where I go with my mind. From the skin inwards is my jurisdiction, is it not? I choose what may or may not cross that border. Here I am the customs agent. I am the coast-guard. I am the sole legal and spiritual government of this territory, and only the laws I choose to enact within myself are applicable.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Get decent gear and take spare gloves with you (putting soggy gloves on for the journey home is not nice).

If you can keep your body temperature high then your fingers and toes are less of a problem. If your body gets cold then your fingers and toes will be cold however well you wrap them up.

All the best

Keith
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[geordiecbrblo...]

Wouldn't fancy that much

If you are serious, then invest in a heated waistcoat - it is your core temperature that will stop you from feeling cold (and it should stop you getting hypothermia

[TOM M]

Make sure you prepair your bike as well, grease everything and make sure all is oiled etc to stop the rust and corrosion
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[map]

As above posts, keep yourself warm and dry.
I take it you'll be on mostly motorway? If so then watch out for spray if wet.

Waterproofs - one piece suit if you can, certainly leggings.
Gloves - For winter I like the Hein Gericke 2 finger ones (keep forgetting what they call them). Excellent kit.
Body - make sure you have a decent jacket and wear layers underneath. Also make sure neck is covered (buff, scarf, whatever you find comfortable).
Feet - decent pair of boots and I'd recommend some of the Gortex like socks. Keep feet warm and dry.
Helmet - try to get something anti-fog or get used to riding with the visor open a little.

For the bike get some form of protection screen. Full fairing helps, half is better than nothing.
Maybe think about hand guards to keep the wind off (most plastic ones can be bodged on). I don't think electric grips are worth it as they keep your palm warm but the backs and fingers can be cold (but see the gloves mentioned above ). IMO unless you're really dedicated, have a bike with a big alternator and can justify it full electric gloves, waistcoat, socks isn't worth the big cost.

Just some thoughts.
HTH
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[dodsi]

I commute throughout the year, have done for 2 allready..this is my third winter.

Its not all that bad really, just wear good waterproof gear and use heated grips.

You dont need heated waistcoat etc.

[Andy C]

i did it last year on a moped and almost put me off buying a bigger bike, would say gloves are not a place to cut back and before winter starts im going to buy a VERY warm set, also looking at the heated waistcoat, anyone here have one?any good? and a balacava as neck gets VERY cold aswell, my winter jacket did the trick though!

Basically you may have to buy some good stuff or be very cold!
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[Mrs Kickstart]

Hi,

I commute by bike nearly all year (I refuse to in snow) on Monday doing stafford to sheffield)

Electric heated grips(oxford) are great and I will getting some for the ZZR. (some cheap makes are rubbish)

Good warm waterproof clothes, I like the 2 finger mittens. A nice comfy jumper.

Carry spare gloves in case they get really soaked.

Regards
C

[Marci]

Once winter turns up. I tend to resort back to riding in full race leathers, with leggings underneath and a long sleeved shirt, hooded sweatshirt over the top, then Motrax Armoured jacket over the top. 2x pairs of socks, lined gloves. Waterproofs rolled up in my bumbag just in case. Soon as snow / ice / slush gets involved it tends to be a case of both feet on the floor round here - stabilisers - and let em slide either side of u. That's saved me countless times when I've had to get to work with 2" of snow on the ground / black ice floating about etc.

Only gets REALLY tricky when you have to ride on fresh unbroken snow - no tyre tracks to ride in etc...

Stay off the front brake - get used to using the rear brake only, gently, keep speed below 40mph wherever poss if road surface is compromised, corner like it's a crosser - foot out - and bob's your mother's brother.
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[Andy C]

a good tip i learnt on my CBT was that you know the gloves you get free at petrol stations have a pair of these for wet days...

put these gloves on before going out when you think its going to rain and under what you were going to use and so when it rains and you gloves get soaked (i find when i ride its not IF its WHEN) and they keep your hand dry!

cold hands are bad but cold wet hands are x10 times worse IMO! and keeping these gloves in your bike will take next to no space.

hope this helps!!
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99 RS125 --> 02 SV650s --> 03 Speed Four --> 92 RXS100 --> 93 CB400sf --> 01 CB600f Hornet

[Russ]

Commuting in the winter is no fun at all If the rain does not soak you through the cold will. Just make sure that if you have to ride in the rain, make sure you tuck your gloves inside your jacket so the water does not go in. Instant soaked gloves.
The best way to keep your neck and chin a bit warmer is to buy a snood not the wool one but a fleece one this helps loads.
Other wise just put loads of layers on.
Its not much fun.

But there you go
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[colin1]

commuting on a bike in winter is much better than commuting on public transport in winter.
Standing around, you get really cold. On a bike its just your hands that get cold.

Last year I had my normal gloves, then rainproof overmits on top, that keep the wind chill down. Sometimes I would even wear woolly mittens over my biker gloves with the rainproof over mits on top.

I have seen motogp riders wearing latex surgical style gloves under their biker gloves and that probably stops windchill and the wet too. I have some I got from poundshop for stopping hadns get covered in dirt n grease. This winter I may try using them to keep my hands warm too.

I agree with marci about his stabiliser trick. Its worth practisiing before you need it at is feels wierd if you arent used to it.

Not being able to see is worse than being cold so you will end up riding with your visor open if you dont have a breath guard. Riding with your visor open makes you very cold indeed, so get a breath guard.
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[Black Knight]

I'd advise getting some windproofs. They make a hell of a difference on a cold morning.

If you cant get good undergarments, maybe a WP fleece just to wear on top?
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[killa]

Sorry if someone mentioned it before I only scan read.
If you start to get cold during a longish journey you will think about it, and this will distract you from your riding flow.
If you are well prepared with the advice these guys have given it is down to you to plan what you need and where you will have to stop.
Another thing I found useful, if it is a bit chilly and your gloves start to give up and you can’t stop i.e. motorway, wiggle your fingers for a bit get some warm blood going round them.
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[EDBANGER]

I commute (or did when I had a bike) all year round come rain or snow. Obviously as already said, good waterproofs and a decent pair of gloves is essential but one extra tip is buy a pack of those disposable gloves that dentists use, the rubbery ones. Wear them under your bike gloves and not only are your hands gonna be toasty warm but extra waterproof aswell.

And of course in wet or snowy conditions, take it easy, no knee down antics and keep a good distance from the vehicle in front. In heavy icy snow, I found keeping both feet on the ground like a pair of ski's helped keep the bike up when going around corners sideways

[innominate]

The feet down tip is essential for getting out of my estate on icy winter mornings. Never once been gritted.

At least if I fall off there its not far home :p
____________________
I, as a responsible adult human being, will never concede the power to anyone to regulate my choice of what I put into my body, or where I go with my mind. From the skin inwards is my jurisdiction, is it not? I choose what may or may not cross that border. Here I am the customs agent. I am the coast-guard. I am the sole legal and spiritual government of this territory, and only the laws I choose to enact within myself are applicable.

[Marci]

[akaDAVE]

If the latex gloves are too tight they will squeeze the blood out of your hands and probably make them colder.
I plan to try commuting by bike when I get a job a bit closer to home i.e not in london.
It may be cold, wet and dark but I doubt it will compare to the misery of my current 2hr commute to london in winter.
waiting on a cold wet platform for a delayed/cancelled and train then being crammed onto a hot stuffy tube with a bunch of miserable bastads.....not to mention the suicide bombers and police execution squads!!

[Annabella]

Depending on your bike, I used to be able to get my hand inside the frame where it was deliciously toasty.

I managed a 300 mile trip on Boxing day doing this... It gets tricky when there's traffic around and you want to warm your right hand though.

Layers are the answer. Mountaineers swear by layering. Wearing lots of thin layers will insulate you an awful lot more than a couple of fat layers. So make sure you can get plenty of clothes under whatever bike kit you are wearing.
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[Kirmit]

Wear layers of clothing. Heated gloves or stick hands on engine when ever possible.
Carry spare gloves and get a v-wipe to get the crud off your visor.
And have a bucket of water in your garage, to rinse the crap off when you get home.
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[Marci]

https://www.motorworld.com/products/2000/aerostich/
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