Autumn slump?

[Wonko The Sane]

Normally the wife has the car for work and I use the bike. She's on maternity leave so the car is often available.

I think I've only used the bike twice this week and same last week, not sure if it's because I can't be bothered gearing up for the bad weather or the twitchy couple of rides I had in the wet at the start of the week knocking my confidence.

I'm guessing I'm not the only one, is it a common feeling this time of year and how do you get yourself back on the bike?
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[P.]

Pfft, all 3 bikes are sitting there and I'm taking the car, why get wet when you have a nice warm cage. No shame in it, you passed your car test, you drive your car.

[Irn-Bru]

I always use the car when it's available, much more convenient. Parking the bike at work is becoming a pain, the cyclists keep nicking all the spots, must remember to bring bolt cutters next time
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KTM 990 SMT & Suzuki DR-Z 400 SM

[garth]

I have a car and a bike, I don't beat myself up about taking the car to work if it's raining. It's a lot less hassle for a few minutes extra commute, and the car does 20mpg more than the bike.

[Joncrete Cungle]

I looked at the rain this morning, looked at the car. Then thought about the extra hour sat in traffic in the morning and the extra hour sat in traffic in the evening. Pulled on my waterproof overtrousers and jacket, told myself to MTFU and picked up the bike key.

[Wonko The Sane]

[Rogerborg]

[Shinigami]

I only have the bikes. My only transport, half hour of filtering vs 2 hours of public transport.... rain doesn't come into that equation. Just get on with it!
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Current: Honda City Fly CLR125 2003 Honda CB600F Hornet 2008 Yamaha FZ6 S2 + 1991 Kawasaki GPZ500
"Once you realize what a joke everything is, being the Comedian is the only thing that makes sense.

[Shinigami]

I only have the bikes. My only transport, half hour of filtering vs 2 hours of public transport.... rain doesn't come into that equation. Just get on with it!
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Current: Honda City Fly CLR125 2003 Honda CB600F Hornet 2008 Yamaha FZ6 S2 + 1991 Kawasaki GPZ500
"Once you realize what a joke everything is, being the Comedian is the only thing that makes sense.

[FiBob]

I second Shinigami on that one. I only have my bike, so I just get on with it. Nothing worse though than when the day looks good and i whack on the jeans though and it pisses down on the way home...

[J.M.]

Commuting is hardly an exciting task. Unless I have a lot to gain by filtering, give me a car to do it in any day.

As it stands, it's unjustifiable for me to pay the ludicrous insurance prices for a car, so I don't own one.
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[yaigi]

How long have you been riding? I only passed my test last September so I was riding all through the winter, whatever the weather, cos I was still getting a buzz out of riding and just wanted to be out on it all the time. Mr Yaigi thought I was mad and he took the car instead of his bike - he's been riding for 10 years or so, so I think the 'novelty' has worn off for him (coupled with the fact his commute is WAY more boring than mine), so if the cars there for the taking, he takes it!
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What would you do in life, if you knew you could not fail?
Currently own - Fazer 600, 2000, Red. (But no riding as baby on board atm)

[Baffler186]

Yes it's a bit depressing knowing that Autumn is here and everyone is talking about Christmas already. I only have a bike and always wear my waterproof textiles anyway so doesn't make so much difference if you arrive dry or slightly damp at the elbows. My biggest concern when riding in the wet is my bloody glasses getting fogged up as well as the visor. Had to stop wearing contacts because I had an ulcer on my eye, and glasses are very annoying.

[c-m]

Weird.

I ride because I like riding, just like I eat food that I like, or play sports that I like. The weather has no influence.

I guess if you're not that into riding, or not that into sport, or a particular type of food, then outside factors are going to have more of an influence.

[Wonko The Sane]

[Shinigami]

To be fair, even if I could afford ludicrous car insurance prices id still take bike. With the heavy morning traffic on the m60 the bike would still half the journey time.

This shall be my 3rd winter riding, reminds me I should get the acf50 out
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Current: Honda City Fly CLR125 2003 Honda CB600F Hornet 2008 Yamaha FZ6 S2 + 1991 Kawasaki GPZ500
"Once you realize what a joke everything is, being the Comedian is the only thing that makes sense.

[esullivan]

I commute into London, so like others here, my choices are an hour and a quarter on the Central or Metropolitan line or 30-50 minutes on the bike. The commute is not exactly pleasant, even if the weather is perfect. The traffic is unforgiving and the roads are shit.

What keeps me getting on the bike in all but icy conditions is that I'm still relatively new, having ridden for only a couple of years. When I don't ride for a week or two, I feel it. I'm less confident. Almost every weekend, I take my wife as pillion somewhere, and I want to be as safe a rider as possible. I don't want to be wobbly. I also enjoy my weekend riding more if I'm confident and at ease on the bike.

So I guess I ride just about every day, in lots of varied conditions, to gain experience and be a better rider. It's kind of like why we work during week -- so we can do fun stuff on the weekend.
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Current: '14 VFR800X Test passed 31/10/12.
Previous: '12 NC700S, '11 CBF 125, '04 SH 125.

[P.]

I haven't ridden in over 2 weeks, I plan to jump on my TL and rag it so much when i get back on it, just like riding a bike innit.

[CG Sam]

Bike is fun in all weathers, car just bores me.
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CG125, SV650S, CBR600F, GSXR600 SRAD

[Wonko The Sane]

[Tristan.]

[Ribenapigeon]

NTFU!

I was in the rain this morning and just thought even this is better than public transport and as I filtered past loads of cars sat burning fuel at a standstill felt proper smug.

And yes Paddy there is shame in choosing the car over a bike just on account of a few drops of rain.

[MarJay]

I paid my dues as an all weather biker. If I can afford a bike and a car then why not? It might also be interesting to note that although the journey on the bike is slightly faster (approx 28 miles, takes about an hour) It takes longer overall as I have to get my gear on, unlock the garage, get the bike out, lock the garage, put ear plugs in etc.

So what I'm saying is it is quicker overall to take the car to work than the bike. Means I can stay in bed for a further 10 minutes, which makes a big difference sometimes!
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Nick 50]

[Shinigami]