Wish I could take a 4x4 really.

[-Savage-]

Hi all,

Well Stinkwheels post has got me more worried now.

I have to travel up to uni tomorrow (100mile) for an exam, and home again on Wednesday. This coincides with a sever weather warning, freezing daytime temps and heavy snowfall for N.Ireland.

I usually take the bike, and it takes about 90-120 min.

If I take the bus it will take 4-5 hours at least, and will cost about £20 each way, added to this I have hurt my back recently, and being on the bike is ok, but sitting in a bus or train seat is unimaginable.

So it leaves me waiting to see what the weather is really like tomorrow.

Would you chance it on the bike?
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My Bikes - - - Royal Enfield 500 with sidecar, VFR800, CBR600FX,
Peugeot Speedfight 100, Kymco Hipster 125, GSXR750K5, Jawa TS 350

[G]

Heavy snow fall? Around here (Thames Valley) everyone got seriously 'caught out' with snow at lunch time Monday before Christmas. A lot of companies told their staff to go home early, the gritters couldn't get to the roads because they were so blocked with cars that couldn't move. Snow was settling between cars in the tracks in queues of traffic!
The only reasonable way to get anywhere was motorbike - buses couldn't do anything, trains were stopped for some time and incredibly full when not.

The only way to get anywhere was by bike or buy foot - a girl at work told me I was stupid for riding into town. She fell over twice walking, I got there maybe an hour before with a bit of fishtailing but no worse.

I would definitely make sure I had the right kit if I was expecting a long journey - I've got some DIY heated clothing things that I'd be considering actually making, for instance. I'd not want to be riding for those distances if it's like it was here, but nor would I want to be driving either and could see a lot of public transport not being great.

Hopefully they'll get decent gritting done, but to conclude, I'd seriously consider taking the bike if I had decent kit.

[-Savage-]

Hi G,

Well the handlebar muffs are a great job, I have them all fixed up now so they really make a difference.

My gear is pretty good, I've textiles from Hein Geirick which I have to say are impressive and I've enough thermal layers to keep me on the good side of frozen, so much so I don't think I'd ever need heated vest or the like, heated socks would be a nice touch though lol.
____________________
My Bikes - - - Royal Enfield 500 with sidecar, VFR800, CBR600FX,
Peugeot Speedfight 100, Kymco Hipster 125, GSXR750K5, Jawa TS 350

[Ariel Badger]

If there is a severe forcast they can not demand you put your own life at risk and contribute to the congestion of the roads against the instructions of the HA/Police.
Phone them.
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Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[Mystery]

if you bike it make sure you've got supplies like a hot flask or 2 and food etc just incase, fully charged phone for emergancy use etc but good luck if you bike it
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Carbon knuckles assure you maximum protect against debris and unfortunate accidents or if someone cuts you off, their side mirror.Mopeds are like chubby chicks.. they are really fun to ride until you're friends catch you on one

[stinkwheel]

Just be prepared to drive REALLY slowly and take your time. I'd probably have been ok if I'd been doing 10mph.

I also had events conspire against me so it was dark (my choke froze in the 'on' position among other thngs, meaning I had to strip the plastics off to free it). Had I seen the snow I hit on the approach, I'd have been going a lot slower.

In terms of going in the snow. I work on the principal that my gear is of good enough thermal quality that if I came off and landed up lying in a snow drift, in the dark, overnight, I'd be ok. Maybe not terribly happy, but I'd be alive with all my fingers and toes attached.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Flip]

[Syx]

If you call them and still need to go, then take public transport. Sure, you might be in some discomfort (although why the bike is more comfortable for you baffles me - not the case with my bad back!) but the fact is that 3 hours extra travelling time is a better price to pay than risking serious injury. It's less about "manning up" and more about using your head in severe weather conditions - can you really justify it being worth the extra risk? I certainly can't.

[LeeR]

Hmm, after yesterday's experience I'd say take the bus...

I rode in freezing fog, -7.5deg C when I left the house and a positively balmy -6.5deg C when I arrived at work 45 mins later.

After 30 mins I could feel hypothermia setting in, in spite of all my sound words, good planning and wisdom (elsewhere on BCF) I wish I'd stayed at home.

I felt ill all day as I never warmed up until I had a shower when I got home.

Anyway, I reckon you'd get there, but if it dumps the amount of snow they've forecast, will you get back?
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My claim to fame: Austin Vince nicked my pen...

[-Savage-]

Right well the snow doesn't appear to have arrived, whether it's still to come is another thing though.

I'm going to bike it, a decision I may regret, but we'll see.

Input is about 50% pro and con, so I'm not alone in my decision.

I think a Thermos of tea sounds like a good job, maybe even a hot water bottle lol.

Thanks for the input guys.
Hopefully post here uneventfully later once I get to halls lol.
____________________
My Bikes - - - Royal Enfield 500 with sidecar, VFR800, CBR600FX,
Peugeot Speedfight 100, Kymco Hipster 125, GSXR750K5, Jawa TS 350

[Dr. DaveJPS]

[-Savage-]

Fcuking sh1tty @rse bandits!

Thank fcuk for crash bungs.

second corner in my estate, big hill, gentle constant braking, doing about 5mph, suddenly lost the back, then slid right hand side for about 15 meters.

Damage = bent crash bung and rear brake lever (brake lever bent back and a OK)
Slight surface scratching on main body panel, should polish out.

B0llix.

Looks like it will be the bus after all.
____________________
My Bikes - - - Royal Enfield 500 with sidecar, VFR800, CBR600FX,
Peugeot Speedfight 100, Kymco Hipster 125, GSXR750K5, Jawa TS 350

[G]

Doh, glad you're ok, feel a bit bad being rather 'pro', now!
I made it home on the GSXR fine today, but I've got used to which bits to be extra-careful on, though actually really wasn't too bad.

[-Savage-]

Lol don't worry G, my own choice.

Not going up to uni, I think I have a fair excuse for an extenuating circumstance and a resit.

I've just booked my car theory for tomorrow at 15:45.

I'll get a taxi up to it lol.
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My Bikes - - - Royal Enfield 500 with sidecar, VFR800, CBR600FX,
Peugeot Speedfight 100, Kymco Hipster 125, GSXR750K5, Jawa TS 350

[LeeR]

Ooh bad news mate, but glad you're okay.

I e-mailed work this morning informing them that it was too icy and there was snow forecast for later.

I'm so glad I did, we've had around 4" (beggar's can't be choosers) and they closed the schools so I had to collect my youngest, my wife's school also closed and she picked our eldest up on the way home.

I'm not moving until Thursday when I'm expected in Newport for a company meeting, yeah right...
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My claim to fame: Austin Vince nicked my pen...