Commuting - I'll brave the weather, but...

This was the worst hailstorm I've seen in over a decade (http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/state/article/0,1299,DRMN_21_3873860,00.html). Sat outside for lunch in 86º weather, then three hours later, big, burly dark clouds rolled over the mountain and hit like that famous story with that guy named Noah. The commute in was beautiful, with no forecast for such wicked weather.

Where do you draw the line for safety in harsh weather? Do you have a 'rain route?'

Woah. That is wild! A FOOT of hail!

I think I'd draw the line at hail. Rain is one thing... I probably would ride in almost any rainstorm. I've worked outside (semi-properly dessed) in freezing rain and sleet, but I might not want to bike in those conditions.

Wind enough to knock me off the bike...

I do not have a "rain route" as there's really only one way to get from my home to my office. I'd probably just stay at the office until I could get a lift or my wife could come get me in the car.

Saw Denver's weather on the news last night. One heck of a storm from no where. We usually have thunderstorms that come up from nowhere. I don't have a rain route, I just put on my rain slick and grin and bear it.

Oh, come on you chickens! Whats a foot of hail?!

Well.. I guess you might damage your bike..

ok, I'll let you off this time.

:D

Easy for the man from FL to be brave about hail.

I agree I would draw the line at hail as well as tornadoes and hurricanes. Otherwise I would try to push on. I have yet to ride in a bad snowstorm so maybe I'll have to amend that once I go through a full winter cycle.

Heh, FL gets hail. My parents had to replace all the screens on their patio one year thanks to nickle-sized hail. Nickle-sized holes don't do much to keep out the mosquitos.

I rode in the last snow we had this past winter. It was fun! I dunno how it would have been with more than an inch or two on the ground... probably would have needed better tires (the semi-slicks on my hybrid were a little slippery with only an inch or so on the ground). But if I angled my head just right the visor on my helmet kept the falling snow out of my eyes... I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I love being outside in the falling snow, or in a really dense fog. The way it silences everything is just awesome.