Originally Posted by
GreenAnvil
I like winter riding (lived in Upstate NY for many years) but as a commuter, with studded tires. I’ve had one too many encounters with black ice to even imagine road cycling on that stuff, thank you very much. And changing a flat on a cold winter night, where the road shoulder is piled with snow so you have to do it on the road with your frozen fingers and pray no distracted driver runs you over? That is the mega-bomb (not)! Other than that, it’s cool.
Commuting is different. It's gotta be, right? I've never actually done it myself. Nope, when I ride, it's only because I really want to ride. Which is a real privilege, I know.
Caveats about winter riding, during the night or day: I know my local roads really well. I know when they're dry. Black ice isn't much of a thing where I am save for relatively rare days we get freezing rain (and the day after if the temp drops), but I wouldn't be riding on those days anyway. I go a bit slower, and don't do any crazy cornering. I stay away from busy streets and roads.
Knocking on wood, I haven't had a puncture on a winter ride, but if I did I would be on the cell phone to my wife or a cab right away. The Campy Scirocco wheels I have are a bear to mount tires onto at the best of times. Actually, come to think of it, I did get a flat once on a winter ride. I had to call my wife to pick me up after trying, and failing, to replace my tube. Here's why:
