Interesting to plan ahead. I moved to the UK (near Oxford) from US and before that Taiwan. My commute in Taiwan was a chaotic 8 miles each way in Shinchu/Jubei. US to close to ride. Now it is 14 miles each way. Googles sounds like a good idea. I am less concerned about the snow and more about the ultra wet/dark roads. Had not thought about my fixed gear bike. How good is this when you have to stop fast and it is wet? I am a bit puzzled. There are no hills to speak of so I do not change gears. My single speed has a flip-flop hub so would it be better as a free wheel and being able to use the breaks vs. fixed. I don't lock my feet at all into pedals so I can get feet down fast. At the moment I was thinking of using my Merida mountain type as a commuter bike.